A couple of weeks ago I came across a comment in the Bargain Cigar breakdown I posted, recommending I try a Padron Londres. Coincidentally I had some on the way from a purchase I made.
After letting them rest for a couple of days, I could not wait to light one up. The look of the cigar was a little on the rough side for a Padron. The wrapper had a fair amount of average sized veins and a fairly oily sheen. When pinched, the stick felt firm with a light spring to it. The cut was quick and clean resulting in a firm pre light draw.
After my pre light inspection, I began the lighting process. Due to the small ring gauge toasting and lighting was a fast process producing smoke in little time. To start, the burn was a little uneven and produced a fair amount of smoke. The body started off Medium to Full and the finish was a little on the dry side. The base flavor was classic rich tobacco flavor.
My initial thought was that this stick was a little rough around the edges and that it would not stack up to the more expensive, Thousand Series Padrons. A few minutes later that thought went out the window because the cigar seemed to open up and become very enjoyable.
At this point the burn evened up and the draw started to become easier. The body settled down to medium and the finish changed to become smooth and creamy. The base flavor also changed into a rich earthy flavor.
As I smoked further into the stick it seemed to only get better. At about the half way point a mild spice began to develop. The finish seemed to get creamier while the body stayed consistently at Medium. The base flavor continued to be rich and earthy for a highly enjoyable smoke.
As time passed I reached the final portions of the cigar. At this point the body picked up and became Medium to Full once again and the finish became longer while remaining smooth and creamy. The flavor base remained rich and earth while picking up a sort of woody flavor.
I was forced to lay the cigar down to rest when I could no longer hold onto it. I enjoyed this cigar immensely and think I found a cigar, to me, that rivals the enjoyment I get out of a Famous Nicaraguan 3000. I really think that this is a must try smoke for anyone looking for a good bargain priced cigar.
One of my personal favorites, thanks for confirming my assessment of the smoke. I have found a few of these Padrons are very bitter when smoked. However, I attributed that to my own humidor maintenance.
Walt,
Put away 5-10 of these for 12-24 months, they become amazing little smokes.
Nels Cross was right, if you store them at great than 68% RH they can be sometimes sour, these cigars smoke the best at 62/63% RH, IMO.
Great review!
Walt,
What RH do you store your cigars at?
Cigar family guy,
Unfortunately, I’m down to my last one. I bought 8 singles and found that I really enjoy them. I’ll most definitely be putting in an order for a box right after the holidays.
I use Heartfelt Industries Beads with a base RH of 70%. I’m finding that I prefer some sticks a little drier than that and am going to have to put in an order for 65% beads after the holidays.
I have been toying around with a dry box (Just a seasoned humidor with an RH of around 63-65%). After my cigars sit in that for 2-3 days, some smoke much better than others.
Walt,
I use to store everything around 68/70%, until I discovered how well most everything smokes in the high 50s, low 60s. Also, if you remove those cellos from the the Padron they will age much quicker.
This is a staple everyday cigar in my humidor — a great tasting Nicaraguan. Not stellar, but excellent for the price.
I keep everything I have at 65% or less, so I agree with cigar family guy on that point. But cello is completely air permeable, so I always leave it on just to protect the sticks from my prying hands when I’m looking for that one cigar that I know is in there, but I can’t find. I think cello does far more good than harm, in my case anyway.
If you like the padron londres try the Sancho Pansa Caballero. Excellent smoke, rich complex and inexpensive.
I have only ben enjoying cigars for about 8 months.
I have to say the Padron Londres is fantastic.
Distinctive and bold, but you can tatse a “core” flavor through out.
unlike others that have to many flavors and none of them good ot ‘core”
A bargain.
Forgot to mention that the padron Londres is always in my humidor.
Maduro Padron is the better, natural is harsher and less distinctive.