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Cigar Review: Padron Panetela Maduro

Size: 6 7/8×36, Panetela

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Strength: Medium

Price: Box of 26, $96.20

Grade: 9.0

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a big Padrón fan and have been since the day I started smoking cigars.  The Padrón  2000 Maduro is one of my main go-to smokes. The Padrón family cigars seem so careful and deliberate with the lines they release that it is impossible not to respect their efforts. When I took a look at the Padrón website for this review, I was surprised by the amount of high scores they’ve received through the years (93, 94, 95, 97); the full list of ratings is worth a look (found here). While you’re on the website, also check out the slideshow that walks you through the process of preparing their cigars for production (found here).

The history of the Padrón family is an interesting one, as most seem to be. Involved in the tobacco industry since the late 1800s, it all started when Damasco Padrón immigrated to Pinar del Rio where he and his sons began working with tobacco. Move forward to today, where Padrón Cigars has over 600 employees working in their Nicaraguan and Honduran factories and their corporate headquarters in Little Havana. Completely family owned, Padrón Cigars is run by Jorge, Orlando, Rodolfo, Lisette, and Elizabeth, all working under the tutelage of José Orlando Padrón.

Now, on to the toast of the Panetela from the Padrón Series, which boasts 15 sizes and for the most part comes in boxes of 26.

Pre-light, 1.7:
This Nicaraguan puro is classic Padrón in appearance. The Maduro wrapper is toothy in appearance with veins and a few bumps. The construction is firm with no soft spots and the cap is constructed well. The appearance of the smoke is topped off by the brown Padrón label. The pre-light aroma is of sweet tobacco with a touch of spice on the foot. The cold draw has prominent notes of dark tobacco and mocha with a touch of cinnamon on the back of the throat.

Burn, 1.8:
The Panetela cut, toasted, and lit with ease. The yellowish gray ash did not hold past half an inch but this is normal for a cigar of this ring gauge, so no deduction there. The temperature of the smoke was very pleasant throughout and there were no re-lights or corrections needed. The smoke produced mouthfuls of smoke and coated the palate very well.

Flavor, 2.7:
The first puff produced earthy notes of tobacco with some spice and sweetness. The first third of the Padrón was dominated by notes of cocoa and earth and had a short and spicy finish. The second third of the Panetela transitioned into a cleaner tobacco; the earthiness was gone and the spice was more subdued. The last third stayed the course but the spice picked back up and this was a nice surprise.

Overall, 2.8:
I enjoyed this smoke for a number of reasons. The flavor profile was enjoyable, the size was interesting, and the burn was dead on. Lastly, at $4.00 a stick, this cigar is an excellent purchase. I am sure that most have tried a Padrón; if not, pick one up the next time you’re at your local B&M, they are one of the most recognizable sticks on the shelf and I doubt you’ll encounter any problems finding them.

(Total: 9.0)