It looks like it’s Padilla week here on Stogie Review. In case you missed it, Jerry took a look at the Black Bear on Monday. (Feel free to watch his shenanigans once you’re done here. And no, you’re not done yet.) Charlie didn’t get the memo, so he gets no link love. And today I’m going to take a look at the Artemis, a cigar I’ve been asked to review a few times in recently.
It’s been a while since I broke the news about the Padilla Artemis, Ernesto Padilla’s relatively new cigar named after the Greek god of the hunt, and things have changed a little since he gave me the scoop. The band on the sticks that arrived in shops around the country is considerably different that pictures I posted. The Miami color theme was dropped in favor of an vintage looking orange, brown and bronze, and the stag that graced the band was apparently eaten by the lion that now occupies its spot. But most important difference is the wider-than-expected availability of the cigar. I don’t know how many shops carry it, if it’s still only 50, but it’s no longer a brick and mortar exclusive.
What remains true is the Nicaraguan composition. It’s a puro, made at the Raices Cubana factory, the source of many popular cigars these days. And it is still apparently Padilla’s first box-pressed release. The Artemis comes in boxes of 20 in three sizes, Robusto (5 x 54), Toro (6 x 54) and Torpedo (6 1/4 x 52). And in a 15-count, you can get the box-pressed figurado vitola, called the Double Torpedo (6 3/4 x 56).
Changes aside, this is a cigar I’ve been meaning to smoke for a long time. Let’s check it out.
Cigar Stats:
Size: 6 1/4 x 52
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Cuban Seed Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Smoking Time: 2 hours
Beverage: Water
Source: Purchased by reviewer
Price: MSRP $11.60
The Pre-Smoke
It’s hard not to like box-pressed cigars, they look great, and they’re comfortable both in mouth and in the hand. (That’s what she said. Apparently, we have a shortage of these this week.) The Artemis is no exception. It has a smooth, flawless appearance, finer veins, an a reddish brown wrapper that is really enticing.
When you get your hands on it, you find it has about the same feel as most box-pressed cigars. I didn’t notice any irregularities in the cigars I smoked for this review. The wrapper has a rich, almost oily scent of chocolate and compost. The cold draw was easy each time, and there was a savory molasses quality to it.
The Burn
In my experience with Padilla cigars, the burn is often the weak spot, and that holds true here. From one stick to the next there was quite a variety in performance. A few burned very well while the rest burned unevenly, produced a dark flaky ash and even required touch-ups and relights. The most important criteria, the draw, was never a problem.
The Flavor
The Artemis had a sweet, cedary, orange spice beginning. The characteristics of the sweetness that dominated this third was pretty interesting, at times it’s like a rich butterscotch, at other times it had more of an acidic citrus quality. In either case, it also lingered a considerable time in the finish.
In the second third, the sweetness was still a major component of the profile, but it transitioned into more of a molasses. Slightly grassy cedar, graham and a little pepper made up the rest of the profile. A little way in, the profile developed a creamy character, and I noticed a building heat in the back of my mouth.
The cigar ends on a creamy cedary note with a subdued spice, and less sweetness than it had earlier, but still a long enjoyable finish.
The Price
The price is a tough one, as it puts this Artemis in completion with the Miami, with the similarly sized Miami coming in at at least a buck less at MSRP. I just don’t think the Artemis is up to the challenge.
The Verdict
On the whole, I liked the Artemis. The burn problems weren’t that big an issue and the flavors were enjoyable, though it seems to lack the body and depth of the popular Miami line. (A favorite of mine.) It’s definitely a cigar worth smoking, but I think it will appeal most the people who think the Miami is just too full or too strong. Though Artemis isn’t without power, there is a little kick to it at the end. I have no doubt I’ll smoke it again occasionally, but it’s hard to grab one of these when you have a Miami Lancero in reach. And I usually do.
Liked It: Yes
Buy It Again: Probably
Recommend It: Yes, to Padilla and Aganorsa tobacco fans.
Tower of Burn
Here for your viewing pleasure is my trademark Tower of Burn.
Fine review as always,
Cheers.
I got the same impression from this cigar. I really liked it, but I wasn’t in like with it. It didn’t have that proverbial “wow” factor that the Miami and even the 1932 have, but it’s a solid stick on it’s own merit. Luckily I got an excellent deal over the summer at the evil cigar conglomerate website. I’ll have to burn some soon once it starts warming up out here in CT.
Nice review Brian. I picked up a 5 pack of these from one of my local shops when they first hit around September-October, along with the last 4 re-release of the Miami 8/11 (which is fucking phenomenal by the way).
I was looking forward to it coming out for a while and was extremely excited to smoke it as I love Padilla, Arganorsa tobacco, and box pressed smokes. I figured can’t go wrong right?
What i was met with was an extremely green tasting profile with a touch of spice, grass and burnt paper. It was pretty gross, and I was hugely disappointed, but figured I either got a bad stick or they were simply released too early. I figured i’d revisit them again in late-spring. Here’s hoping I get at least a similar smoking experience to what you had.
Yeah, wow, you definitely got a bum stick, give it another try.
The most important criteria is the draw? What good is the draw if it doesn’t stay lit? They all go hand in hand and maybe I’m annoyed by my Black Bear experience but relighting and any abnormal touchups just rub me the wrong way.
I will admit its a real pretty looking cigar. I wouldn’t think orange would be as aesthetically appealing. It definitely is eye catching if seen on a crowded shelf.
The draw is the most important factor for me within reason of course. A fireproof cigar with a perfect draw isn’t going to rate well with me either, and is likely to take a short flight into the back yard well before it’s finished.
I’m just saying even small problems with the draw over the course of the smoke are far more detrimental to the experience than the average occasional relight, touch-up, ugly flaky ash, or even minor wrapper crack. Any one of those other factors taken to an extreme would become more important than the draw.
Great review Brian, I really like the Padilla lines I will have to track one of these down.
You’ve sold me on this! It’s going on my to-sample list.
I glanced at another review, just to confirm the citrus flavors, which I think I’ll enjoy thoroughly.
Thanks for the thorough review
I figured I’d better chime in here, since I was one of those nagging you for a review. I got mine on an online auction site, and although it’s an absolutely gorgeous looking cigar, the first two I had were major disappointments. The abestos-like burn required multiple touch ups and resulted in hot, charry, yet thin flavors – not to mention the effects of hyperventilation. Since I saw your post, I decided I should light up another one before responding, and I have to say, the experience is a lot better this time around. Much better burn with no relights or touch ups through 2/3 of the stick, and the flavors are much nicer (I think the cabernet sauvignon I’m having with it may be helping my tastebuds out). I’m still not sold on this being worth the price, and the fact that it took some four months to get to this point is in my opinion a major drawback.
I’m still a big fan of most of the Padilla’s that I’ve had, but the jury is still out on this one.
Thanks for finally getting this review up!
DavefromPhilly, I think you’ll have a better experience come spring. 🙂
Oops. “Asbestos-like” and “multiple relights and touch ups”. That’s what I get for trying to follow the Hewitt alcohol regimen.
My regimen takes years of training. Keep at it, you’ll get there one day.
And I’ve had nearly 40 years of training, too.
Thanks for the review. Glad to see I’m not the only one who has burn issues with Padillas. I just tried to smoke a Dominus last night and the thing tunneled so bad, so fast, that I just ended up tossing it after 20 minutes or so. I’ve had similar tunnel, canoe, and relight issues with nearly all of their brands, which is a bummer considering that I like a few of them a lot. I found the same issues as you with the Artemis. Some were perfect, others were needy. Burn/draw/construction issues are the worst, IMO. The whole point of smoking a cigar, to me anyway, is to relax. When I have these types of problems it just takes it from relaxation to frustration and defeats the purpose. Maybe Padilla will read this and address some of these problems?
I honestly never have burn problems with padilla and i smoke a ton of his miami’s, 32’s and 48’s. I actually think they’re usually really on point.
Yeah, I’m with Dave on this. I’ve had lots of all he mentions plus Series 68s, Habanos and Obsidians, and the only ones that I recall having burn problems with are, duh, Obsidians. Oh, I just finished a box of Dominus robustos and those all burned fine and had good draw. The infamous Obsidian is known for being a burn nightmare and probably 1 in 15 is totally plugged in my experience.
Thanks for commenting- Yes, the Obsidians can be a rough burning stick to be sure. I guess I should clarify, not every Padilla I’ve smoked has had a bad burn, however, * IF * a Padilla cigar is going to have any issues, it often comes in the form of (usually) mild burn issues. Unattractive or weak, flaky ashes, some unevenness or relights. (Fortunately, the draw usually isn’t a problem.) It doesn’t always happen, but take for example, my much loved Miami Lanceros. The last dozen or so of those I’ve burned have have suffered to some degree from all those issues. It won’t stop me from smoking them, but it is worth noting in a review.
Tried the double torpedo this afternoon…wasn’t feeling it. I’ll have to try it again in like a robusto size. Fell kind of flat flavor wise on me.
Fine review. Won several robustos and torpedos. Smoked a robusto last night. I was not wowed either, but I think this cigar has good bones. Nice oily wood flavors, similar to the Illusione 4/2g but not as refined. I did have a problem keeping it burning due I think to the oiliness of the wrapper. I need to let these rest for a month or so before revisiting them. I would acquire more but not at the MSRP.
Like you Brian, I enjoy the Miami. Am also hoarding the the discontinued ’68’s that can be had on auction for almost nothing. The ’32 is my favorite current Padilla line though.
Had high hopes for the Artemis based on the materials and factory used, but after several sticks, it’s been a disappointment. Burn issues like you mentioned were part of the problem, but primarily it was the flavors that turned me off.
At best they were a little bland and (perhaps due to frequent re-lights) the cigar was almost acrid at it’s worst moments. still have a few left and will give the stick another try based on your review.
Looking forward to smoking one of these. Just ordered 10 from C.I. for only $40.00 at that price I suppose that I can’t go wrong.
I got a pair of Artemis in a salamon sampler I ordered on line and was very impressed with the overall experience. The cigar smoked well and had a near sensual feel in the hand. I’m new to cigars and can’t name all the flavors but it was mild to medium, complex, and pleasantly sweet. The burn on my stick was consistent w/out the need for relights or corrective burns. I liked this cigar so well that I ordered a 10 pack this week and can’t wait for them to arrive. An example of my tastes are Perdomo Lot 23 and Champagne Series, Rocky Patell 2008 Autumn Series, Sol Cubano Salamons, and LaGloria Cubana Serie N. Good smoking, friends!
While it isn’t a favorite of mine, it is a quality smoke..better than most of the reviews posted here. The wrapper is on point, the aroma is pleasurable, draw is fine, a somewhat interesting smoke. Could you find a better smoke, sure but it’s as good as most cigars rated in the high 80s.