Wrapper : San Andres Maduro
Binder : Nicaraguan
Filler : Nicaraguan
Source : bought locally at Genuine Tobacco
Welcome to a cigar review, I know, it’s been a while. This week I am going to tackle the Padilla Reserva Maduro in the toro size. This cigar is available in four sizes, double toro (5 3/4×60), short robusto (4×60), toro (5 3/4×50) and a torpedo (6×54). Padlla cigars are now made by Oliva and you can find more information about the other cigars available and such from the interview I did with Susana Aragon.
Pre-Light
Giving this Padilla Reserva Maduro a once over and the stick is nice and firm with a slight barnyard and chocolate scent on the wrapper, natural tobacco at the foot and some sweet chocolate and bitter coffee notes on the cold draw. Draw has a bit of resistance to it but I am suspecting it will open up after smoking a bit. Flame on.
First Half
Let us dive right into the Padilla Reserva Maduro with a nice chocolate taste with a sort of heavy syrup sweetness poking its head up out of the ground. Massive amounts of flavor right from the get go. After about an inch there is such a nice sweet chocolate taste coming off the cigar it just envelops you and forces you to relax a bit. Seriously, chocolate rules. Other flavor present are that heavy sweet syrup and some coffee notes but the chocolate is the dominant flavor.
Rounding out this first half with the cigar staying medium bodied with full flavors of sweet chocolate, bitter coffee and sweet heavy syrup.
Second Half
Diving into the second half of this Padilla Reserva Maduro with the cigar burning great with a full flavor profile while staying medium bodied.
Body does seem to be picking up a little bit but still in the medium range. Bitter coffee taste is coming to the front with the sweet chocolate. Still a smooth smoking cigar. Here at the end the body is a high medium or low full. Flavors stayed nice with the sweet chocolate falling away to the bitter coffee at the end but the sweet heavy syrup taste stayed throughout.
Wrap-Up
Would I buy it again? Yes. No doubt about it. I was never a huge Padilla fan until I got a hold of this stick. I think the flavor and balance is wonderful and with it staying in the medium body range for most of the cigar makes it right up my alley.
Give the new Padilla cigars a try and let me know what you think in the comments.
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Etiquette is not subject to opinion. When in a group setting, take your band off. No need to advertise what you’re smoking. If someone is curious, they will ask. At home, do what you want., but in public, take your damn band off.
Joey – I respectfully disagree.. Etiquette in itself is an opinion. A generally accepted one, yes, but an opinion nonetheless. Personally I couldn’t care less about whtat anyone else is smoking, in terms of “showing off”.. To say that it matters, in a way, points to envy, and that has no place in a social setting. But knowing what someone else is smoking encourages interaction, and that can never be a bad thing. Why not simply enjoy the moment and actively interact with others, rather than standing off to the side and harrumphing? The days of trying to maintain an upper class status quo is hopefully long gone.
Having said all of that, I, and I’m sure a lot of others here, would love to have the chance to meet up with you and ohter like minded smokers and have the opportunity to change your mind. Cheers!
I smoked the Padilla Miami Maduro and it was a great cigar. I heard though that some of the Padillas are being discontinued. Do you know if that’s true?
Yes, ALL of the old Padilla’s are done. What ever is still out there will be sold but no more will be produced. Padilla has the 2 lines discussed in the Susana video (Reserva and the 8&11 if I remember correctly) and that is all, for now.
Better get to hoarding the older ones then…..
I enjoyed it; not as sweet as I thought it would be, but still very good. I’ve enjoyed nearly all the Padillas I’ve had (save for the Artemis), but especially the 1932. Too bad they’re gone, but I guess all good things must come to an end. Great review, and thanks for sending me those to try!
I’ve smoke a lot of Padilla Cigar in the past years. They were good at the beginning. When Padillas started to witch manufactures. The Pallia Cigars quality have gone down. I have not smoked a Padilla cigar in a year.
Sounds like a good smoke! As for etiquette, you’re right, it’s pretty much opinion. Now me, I smoke with extended pinky (fully erect). Ok maybe not. In all seriousness, If one has a strong belief of taking the bands off (or leaving them on), they are in serious need of a life, or a new country club.
He’s alive!!
BTW, I’ve heard that “fully erect” thing is a phallusy.
Mike, love the review, man! Keep up the great work! Hey Tom, when are we going to see another video review?!
Tom, when are we going to see another video review for the Stogie Review? Great review, Mike! Long ashes!
I’ll be sure to leave my band on when Joey is around. In my opinion, you dont tell another man how to enjoy his cigar.
Its funny to me that this issue of etiquette has never crossed my mind. I don’t really understand why anyone would be offended that you have the band on the cigar. Now that I think about it, most people that I have been around while smoking have kept the band on the cigars. I guess I disagree with Joey or simply don’t believe it really matters so long as you are polite and have good manners while smoking in a group.
As to Padilla, I thought his earlier lines were of very good quality but not my cup of tea. I don’t really understand why you would stop producing the ones that put your company on the map, but then I am not a business man. I do look forward to trying these new lines, particularly the maduro. I do love the San Andreas maduro wrappers.
Thanks for a great review.
I agree, as long as I am not being rude or disrespectful in the lounge, don’t tell me how you think I should smoke my cigar. These rules come from years ago. Don’t leave your band on because it is bragging”. Any lounge I’ve have been in, patrons didn’t care if you were smoking a $2 or a $30, everyone was treated equal. Also, I have started many conversations with smokers I did not know when I saw the band on their stick and said, “Hey, how do you like that Fuente”.
Just smoked this cigar. I don’t know where I got it, or how long it’s been in my humidor. Judging by the comments, it may have been several years. I wish I’d smoked it earlier, I’d have bought a box or two.
I do take the bands off my cigars, but that’s just my preference, as they have to come off sometime.
I do agree there has to be some etiquette when smoking cigars;otherwise you may as well smoke a cigarette.