Cigar Review: Padron Family Reserve 50 Years Maduro

Padron Family Reserve 50 Years MaduroVitola: No. 50 (Box Pressed Robusto)
Size: 5″ x 54 Ring Gauge
Price $25.00 MSRP
Obtained From Ammar as a review sample

Background

This year marks 50 years since the Padron family got into the business.  To celebrate this they have come out with two cigars.  The first one is being released in 50 count humidors and is slightly larger, and the second will come out in 10 count boxes.  The one in the humidor will be a different size than the Family Reserve.  From what I can gather the one in the humidor is made from tobaccos aged longer than the Family Reserve.  But I’m not exactly sure since I’ve heard different information.  This was the first one of these that I’ve tried.  And I would like to give a thank you to Ammar (the owner of Maxamar’s) for giving me this cigar to try.

Prelight

The wrapper on this cigar was a nice even dark brown in color, slightly darker that I’m used to seeing on their cigars.  The cigar was a little lumpy especially at the head, but this is something I’ve seen before even on the limited cigars from them.  The wrapper had a few veins and a good amount of tooth and oil to it.  The top bands were the same as the other Family Reserve with the cream, burgundy & gold second band letting you know which release it is.  When I gave it a squeeze there were no soft spots and a slight amount of give.  Putting my nose to the wrapper I got some barnyard with the same from the foot.  After clipping it and taking a cold draw on it I got notes of cinnamon and leather with a good draw.

Flavor

The cigar starts off with lots of chocolate, coffee, leather with a good amount of spice.  The spice was definitely stronger than the 1964s and 1926s I’ve had and reminded me a lot of the Family Reserve 45 when it was first released.  Taking a few more puffs I started to get some flavors of earth and cinnamon coming through.  Towards the end of this third I started to get a sugary sweetness on the finish.  The cigar started off at the upper end of medium-full.  The flavors changed slightly to coffee, earth, cocoa with a hint of cinnamon and sugar on the finish.  The spice did tone down in this third but the strength built a bit.  The sweetness really ramped up to chocolate, earth, coffee, leather and cinnamon in the final third.  The spice did start to come back and I did get a slight nicotine hit from it which is usual for a Padron cigar.

Construction

The draw was perfect throughout and it produced a large volume of smoke on every puff.  The burn got wavy for about 1/4″ but other than that it was razor sharp otherwise.

Value

Yeah, $25 for a cigar is a lot.  I however feel like this one is worth it, as a special occasion cigar mind you.

Conclusions

Overall my impression of this cigar is…well…wow.  It left me with the same feeling after smoking the 45 when it first came out, the urge to light another one up right away.  While my words in the flavor section don’t adequately describe the cigar I can tell you it was is no way boring or monotonous.  It was an excellent cigar.  I would recommending giving it a try if you can.  Heck after I finished it I texted Ammar and asked him to put me on the waiting list for a 10 count box of these cigars.  BTW I think this is only the second 10 I’ve given out.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 10/10

Keith Hollar

Keith has been a cigar enthusiast since 2003 and it's rumored that he remembers details about every single cigar he's ever smoked. He wrote for Tiki Bar Online for four years before co-founding Leaf Enthusiast. Twitter: @Keith1911

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6 Responses

  1. Mark VanSledright says:

    Wow! Great review. Did someone say Christmas present!

  2. czerbe says:

    Wow dude great review, look I have had a # of Padrons they are all great cigars, I’m sure the Padron family doesn’t know how to make a bad stick. Even if its not your cup of tea there is nobody that can say they make a bad smoke. Even with my cheap ass I would fork over the cash to try one of these. Great review.

  3. Miguel Rocha says:

    Padron certainly sets the bar high on premium cigars. Great cigars!

  4. Texican says:

    It does sound pretty amazing. Would love to try one. Great review.

  5. wm2slc says:

    Another awesome cigar from Padron. Have not tried but this looks like it might be something for by BD celebration!

  6. Craig Bowden says:

    HAVE to go along with the rest of the crew, this is a must try and I will be forking out the money for one….or more. I was interested to hear your thoughts and they have not disappointed. Thanks