Cigar Review: Padilla Series ‘68
Size: 5×50, Robusto
Wrapper: Cuban-seed Corojo
Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan (Jalapa and Condega)
Strength: Medium-Full
Price: Box of 20, $99.95
Grade: 9.1
The final cigar released in honor of Ernesto Padilla’s poet father, the Series ’68 commemorates the year Herberto was arrested for speaking publicly against Castro; 1968 is also the year Herberto published his controversial work on the same matter as his arrest. This is the only cigar in the tribute line that was hand-rolled in Honduras. The Padilla Series 1932 honored Herberto’s birth and the 1948 honored the publication of his first book of poetry, Las Rosas Audaces, at only 16 years old.
This is another review from our friend Chris, who continues to empty his humidor in celebration of the recent birth of his son. So, let’s see how he describes his toasting.
Pre-light, 1.8:
This ’68 Robusto was very smooth to the touch with minimal veins, a nice density, and no soft spots. The head was capped well and the foot was a nice, even and full circle. This stick had been in my humidor for around 14 months and the skin looked to have taken on a thin sheet of plume. The pre-light aroma had an earthy smell with the slightest bit of sweetness at the foot.
Burn, 1.9:
The burn on the Series ’68 was excellent. The ash held great through the first third of the smoke before I knocked it off. The draw was spot on and the exhale emitted some nice, thick smoke. The ’68 did require one touch up toward the beginning, but I believe this was due to being a bit wet from over humidification.
Flavor, 2.6:
The ’68 didn’t pack quite the punch I was hoping for. It didn’t have many transitions though it was rather consistent. There was spice up front, but this quickly mellowed out to an earthy to hay taste. I would have loved to have the spice return but it never came back. The ’68 was consistently smooth, the transitions were subtle, and the ’68 also had a texture to it that I haven’t quite identified yet.
Overall, 2.8:
Getting right to it, at $5 a smoke this Series ’68 is most definitely box worthy. The appearance is clean, the burn is razor sharp, and, though the flavor could stand some complexity, this is an excellent value. I’ll keep an eye open for a Padilla sampler, as I’ve also enjoyed the ’32.
(Total: 9.1)
There are 19 Comments to "Cigar Review: Padilla Series ‘68"
another great review – always looking for quality cigars in the sub $5 range, I will add this one to my list
Hmm… Commemorating ‘68. I wish *most* social trends from ‘68 would just… go away.
Not cigars, though!
Thank you for the review. It was great, and I’ll have to go pick one up. I love seeing unbiased reviews… (no advertising payola)
I also love seeing different opinions on spice and wanting it, not wanting it… I used to keep a Cigar Dossier that tracked all the cigars and taste’s. I always put down what I had eaten last, and what the environment was (was I cold, hot, spring, fall, inside, outside…), and what I was drinking, if anything, or at least what I last drank. I saw that there was (obviously) a HUGE difference in my tastes as far as spice, boldness, depending on those factors.
Thanks for the review. I’ve tried a few and they are definitely nice smoke for the price.
Good smoke for the price. I smoked one a week or so ago and I would grab a few more for my humidor mostly because I am not a spice guy and your review was right on about that. Thanks for the review.
I *am* a spice guy. Will have to check it out!
The 1968 is one of my faves by Padilla. Have you tried the Cazadores yet? YUM!
Yep the ‘68 robusto is a relly good smoke for the price.
The Padilla Series 68 is one of my favorites by Padilla. I agree with your comments about the lack of punch but nice spice at the beginning. Not usually a “mild” fan but I like this one.
I found this stick to be pleasing for the first third but then became boring and did not leave me wanting more. Padilla makes some great cigars and I usually find no wrapper flaws or burn issues with them. I do think that the Padilla Habano is a much better mild/medium smoke than this one. And boy would I like to get my hands on a Dominus.
Excellent review.
I’ll have to try this one.
I tried one and agree with Darren. Good flavor to start with but got bored with it. .
On re-read: $5 makes this sound like a pretty fair smoke.
Definitely have to check this one out.
I love when a cigar gets a great review and it’s within my price range! I never knew what I was walking into when I was introduced to the world of cigars. But it’s to late for me to turn back now, I love them! Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the review. Will think about this one.
Padilla has treated me really well in the past. I have enjoyed every smoke that I have had from them without fail.
I like Padillas.