Cigar: Padrón 50th Anniversary Limited Edition
Size: 6 1/2 x 54
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $25.00 to 40.00 MSRP
This next review has been in waiting for the last several months. Earlier in the year, Small Batch Cigar (sponsor of Leaf Enthusiast) was offering a cigar club membership. Pay $50 per month and get cigars from them each month equal or getter than what you pay. I bought my wife a membership to Winc a year ago and she’s been very pleased, so I figured with my experience of past purchases from them, my chances of being disappointed were going to be slim. My assumptions were right on the money. For the three months that I was a member, I received a number of fantastic cigars, many of which have been reviewed on this site. The Padrón 50th Anniversary Limited Edition was one of the last cigars I received before canceling the subscription (to save money). I was awaiting a special celebration or evening that I could pull this out to smoke, but this was one I really wanted to review as I don’t smoke a lot of Padróns. My impatience in finding the right evening to smoke it won out.
The cigar, nicknamed ‘The Hammer’, debuted at the 2014 IPCPR to enormous fanfare. The cigar is made from a select blend of specially chosen Nicaraguan tobaccos, all of which have been aged a minimum of 10 years.
No construction issues were found on this cigar. The pre-light aromas gave very faint aromas of cedar while the cold draw followed suit with cedar accompanied by a touch of sweetness. The light gave me an incredibly open draw with starting flavor notes of pepper, light wood, straw and spice on the aftertaste. Nine minutes into the cigar, I began noticing stronger notes of pepper with the spice aftertaste. I would consider the strength of the cigar to be medium-to-full bodied but with a very smooth finish. The cigar from here to the 55 minute mark stayed exactly as described, the time mark noting an increase in woody flavors accompanied with new black coffee flavors. The strength of the Padrón took a mild rise but it wasn’t to push it over to full bodied territory. Total smoking time was 1:25.
The only issue I had with this cigar was the flimsy ash, as it ended up on the shirt more than once. And honestly, I could never take points off of that as I would consider that ‘user error’. All in all, a very enjoyable cigar from Padrón.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 0.5/1
Total: 9/10
To recap the Padrón 50th Anniversary Limited Edition:
- A fine cigar from Padrón to highlight their long tradition of fine cigars. Great complement of flavors and strength.
- While I think nearly any level of cigar smoker could enjoy this, the price is going to detering factor.
- In order for a specialty cigar to get full value from me, it has to blow me away. This was a great cigar but not enough to floor me.
- Like the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition, this is a special occasion cigar that warrants the price tag. If you are looking for a cigar to fit that requirement, the Padrón 50th Anniversary Limited Edition certainly fits the bill.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read what I write. I always look forward to the next time I am able to share my thoughts with all of you.
I bought my brother this cigar a few months ago and he really enjoyed it. He is a Padron guy so I thought something a little nicer wold be a big hit and it seemed to be. Great review Jon.