Padron 2000 – Legacy Deserved

I was visiting some non-smoking friends this weekend in Tampa.  I know, how can you live in a cigar capital and not smoke!  But, they at least allowed me a small cigar with my bourbon on Saturday evening.  I had a few sticks with me and decided on the Padron 2000.  I have, over the years, on special occasions enjoyed some of their more pricey and notable lines, but it had been quite a while since I had smoked a plain Padron.  After enjoying this smoke, I can firmly say I won’t wait long to have another.

Padron Cigars is the child of Jorge Padron who came to this country as a Cuban exile.  He had little but the shirt on his back and an excellent work ethic.  Taking extra work as a carpenter (that’s the significance of the hammer in some of the Padron logos) he saved up $600. to open what has become the hall mark of Nicaraguan cigars.  The line that I smoked is the Padron series and is the lesser expensive of their lines.

Upon initial inspection the cigar smell nice.  Its aroma is earthy and inviting.  Looking at the cigar, I notice a rather large bump where the cap meets the wrapper.  It seems like this is a vein that might have been discarded by the roller.  Fortunately, I never notice this slight flaw during the smoke.  The cigar lights easily and draws well, despite several pauses for conversation.

This cigar is made using sun-grown Nicaraguan tobacco that has been aged for over 2 years giving it a nice mellow flavor.  The initial flavor is of creamy cafe mocha with just a touch of spice.  After about a third of the cigar the spice gives way to the single mocha flavor.  It feels nice in the mouth and has no aftertaste.

This is a nice size cigar and lasts a little less than an hour.  While the flavors are not complex they are pleasant and consistent.  At around $3.50 per cigar, this is a great value.  I have smoked plenty of cigars that are twice the price that don’t have anywhere near as nice flavor as this stick.  If you are looking for a nice mellow inexpensive cigar, this will work nicely.