Padron Family Reserve 85th Maduro

I Hope everyone had a great Christmas! This week's review is of the new Padron 85th Maduro. The 85th is this year's release in the Family Reserve series. This doesn't match up with the numbering system for the rest of the Family Reserve's, instead of being 47 that would come next in the series, Padron changed this one to the 85th to celebrate Jose O. Padron's 85th Birthday. This cigar measures in at 5 1/4x50 and is severely box pressed. Like the rest of the family Reserve Padron's, this one is made up of tobacco that has been aged for 10 years. 

This is a tasty looking cigar, it looks like a bar of dark chocolate and is extremely square pressed. It is very firmly rolled with almost no give to it. The aroma at the foot is of cocoa and earth. Once cut, the draw is a little firm with flavors of well aged tobacco. Once lit, this starts out with more spice that I normally get from Padron's, with plenty of dark chocolate, earth and espresso flavors. This is also starting off much stronger than your typical Padron....I like it! This is starting out really nicely, Bold yet refined. After about 3/4 of an inch the spice has backed off a lot and more deep coffee flavors and some roasty notes are coming up front.

At just about the halfway point and I would say this is one of the stronger Padron's I have smoked. The burn has been perfect and the ash holds for about an inch. I am loving the huge dark chocolate flavors in this cigar. While the spice is mostly gone, it is still present through a retrohale, as well as some sweet cedar through the nose. I can't believe just how slow this cigar is smoking. Finishing up this 85th and the flavors have stayed very consistent and bold. This full bodied cigar is right in the full range of strength as well, much more powerful than the typical Padron Anniversary cigar, but it is still very well balanced. 

The Padron Family Reserve 85th Maduro was an impressive cigar. I don't smoke a lot of Padrons, and everytime I do I wonder why I don't smoke them more often! (Well I know why, they are pretty pricey) This one is actually a little more reasonable as far as the Family Reserve goes as far as price is concerned, coming in at around $20 a piece. I rarely spend that kind of money on a cigar, but then this isn't one of those cigars you are going to be smoking frequently (well not one I will be smoking that often at that price). That being said, I think this cigar is worth every penny. It delivers huge amounts of flavor and the construction is perfect. I love how consistent Padron cigars are, you know what you are going to get everytime you light one up. Padron never disappoints, so do yourself a favor and pick up one of these next time you visit your local shop. 

Padron 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo

Todays review is of the Padron 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo, measuring in at 5.5 inches by 50 ring gauge. This is the maduro version of this cigar, which is also available in a natural wrapper. This particular cigar was sent to me by a friend who has aged these for a very long time. Im not sure how long, but i would assume at least 5+ years. This is more commonly known as a PAM (Padron Anniversary Maduro) and is one of Padron's super premium cigars. This is Nicaraguan Puro with a severe box press to it. The tobacco is aged for 4 years prior to being rolled.

This is a very solid feeling cigar, which i have noticed with most Padrons. They always feel overfilled but never smoke like it. The wrapper is slightly rough to the touch but with some nice oils present, and looks very apetizing with its dark chocolate coloring. The cap looks terrible, which is another common theme with Padron cigars from my experience. The predraw flavor is of properly aged tobacco and chocolate...loads of dark chocolate.

Right from the start this is an excellent cigar, with loads of that chocolate flavor present on the predraw, and a slight sweetness that im guessing comes from the maduro wrapper. This is a very smooth cigar, and im sure having some major age on it makes this one in particular that much more smooth. The blend is superbly balanced and the burn line couldnt be any more even. The ash is a very nice white color that holds together very well.
As i get into this cigar, the flavors become richer and the body moves into the medium/full range while remaining very smooth. That chocolatey flavor has now been joined with a bit of an espresso flavor and a touch of earth. What i find really intriquing about this cigar, is that while it has that definite Nicaraguan flavor, it doesnt have the spice i find in most Nicaraguan Puros. This is by no means a bad thing, its nice to see something unique in the mix of Nicaraguan cigars i smoke.

I am drinking a Moose Drool Brown ale with this cigar, and the malty flavors of the beer go very nicely with the chocolate i am getting out of the Padron. This would go great with any full bodied beer like a stout or a porter as well, and a beer like that would probably bring out the espresso flavor in this cigar a bit more.

So, if the thought of smoking a bar of chocolate appeals to you, then go get yourself a PAM! Yes, they are on the more expensive side, retailing for around 11 bucks for this size, and like other super premiums (Opus X, VSG, etc) there is usually a bit of a mark up making these a special occasion cigar. This cigar demands your attention when smoked with its complex and smooth flavors and deserves the high marks it gets among the cigar community.