Padron 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo
I had a goal of buying a bunch of cigars I have never had before, and really review them, instead of just recommending. So I went to top25cigar.com and picked a bunch of cigars of their top 25 list, and figured I would evaluate the best non-Cuban cigars on the list. Number 3 on the list, the Padron 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo Maduro, was the first non-Cuban in the bunch. So I am reviewing, possibly, the best non-Cuban cigar in the world. Cigar Aficionado rated it high, but not that high. I should have known it was going to be an event for me as Holt's does not sell them online, and when you go to the store, you have to ask for them behind the counter.
Construction: These are dense cigars. As Alton Brown would say "they are heavier then they look like should be." The are also "box pressed" which means they are bar shaped instead of round, this could have lead me to unevenly burn it as they are a little harder to roll as you smoke them. The draw was perfect, I was hardly aware I was taking a puff, but then my mouth was filled with smoke, which was surprising to me, given their density. It burned a little hot in the beginning, but I consciously slowed down the smoke, and that went away. Additionally they were packed with nicotine, as I'm a little woozy while I write this (not a bad feeling.)
Taste: Good but not great. They were a strong flavored, but not too overwhelming. Nothing too noteworthy, it had some sweet notes, but I couldn't identify them as particular flavor. If I didn't know it was a maduro, I would not have been able to tell from the taste.
Stats: It's 5 1/2 inches by 50 ring gauge. It took me about an hour and a half to smoke, but I slowed down to enjoy it. Holt's sells it in the store (behind the counter like I said) $10 and change, which is less than top25cigar.com said was it's average price.
Overall: It's a good smoke, and quality-wise I agree with the high rating. Taste-wise, I wouldn't have given it so high. When you add in cost, it's not worth it, but if someone offers you one for free, or they go on sale, definitely jump on it.
Comments
I didn't like it... at first. I started keeping a book with all the labels and my personal review and rating of every cigar I smoked. What I drank while I smoked it, how it was cut, how much I paid. Every detail. The 1964 and 1962 were in the first batch I went for. I had kept away for years because of the price but now I was doing something official and they are highly thought of cigars. My first experience was very much like yours. But as I continued I found that I kept getting pulled back to the '64. Every time I got more out of it. Now, a couple years later, I crave it more then any other cigar. I still don't buy it that much because of the price, but sometimes I just can't do with out it.
After spending a little more time with this cigar I have found it to be very well balanced and subdued, with a lite creamy taste from start to finish that mellows a bit in the middle. Earthy, with peppery undertones. Little spice at the end, with a couple of sour notes.
Give it another try.
Posted by: Ryan at August 31, 2005 8:31 PM