Padrón cigars are renowned for their unmatched quality, robust strength, and exquisite flavors.
It's no secret that they hold a place of prestige in the hearts of premium tobacco enthusiasts.
The allure of Padrón lies not just in its exceptional flavor profiles but also in the rich history and perseverance of the Padrón family, who transformed their passion into a globally recognized brand.
Blending tradition with innovation is a complex art. Yet Padrón continues to excel masterfully with their seamless integration of the two.
Join us as we guide you through a brief history of the Padrón brand and discover our top 5 picks that capture the essence of cigar sophistication.
Here are our picks so you have them right away:
- Padrón Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro
- Padrón 1964 Anniversary Principe Natural
- Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro
- Padrón 1926 Series No. 2 Natural Belicoso
- Padrón 3000 Maduro
History of Padrón Cigars
The founding father of the Padrón brand was Jose Orlando Padrón.
Like numerous iconic brands, Padrón has Cuban roots. Several generations of the Padrón family made a living farming tobacco in the rich soils of Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
Orlando, a Cuban native, became familiar with tobacco cultivation when he tended tobacco crops on his father's farm in 1944.
In the 1950s, he left the farm life to manage a copper mine in Pinar del Rio. The mine closed during the Cuban Revolution, and Orlando joined the Cuban army.
Fidel Castro's Takeover
By the time Fidel Castro took over Cuba in 1959, Orlando was already a lieutenant in the army. However, he did not want to continue under Castro's leadership and fled the country on a plane to Madrid, Spain, in 1961.
Jose Orlando Padrón Arrives in the United States
Months later, Orlando arrived in the United States by sea, initially settling in New York before moving to Miami in 1962.
Times were tough as he was only receiving $60 a month from government assistance given to Cuban refugees.
He dreamed of saving enough money to start a company that would produce ultra-quality handmade cigars just like the ones he enjoyed in Cuba.
The Hammer Gift
Orlando was gifted a small hammer by a friend who worked at the Cuban Refugee Office so he could work as a carpenter.
With hard work and this hammer, he was able to save $600 and opened Padrón Cigars in 1964.
Jose Orlando Padrón is quoted as saying, “My dream was to save enough money to open a factory to make great cigars, like the ones we used to smoke in Cuba. Through a lot of sacrifice and hard work, I managed to save $600 - money I made working with the hammer.”
Nicaragua as the Primary Tobacco Growing Region
Orlando learned that a valley in Nicaragua's Estelí region offered a microclimate and fertile soil akin to that of Pinar del Río, perfectly aligning with his vision.
The exceptional quality of Nicaraguan tobacco in Padrón cigars played a significant role in catapulting the brand to fame.
Resilience Shapes Orlando's Tobacco Journey
The journey to success was filled with major obstacles for the company.
Civil unrest in Nicaragua led to war, a devastating fire ravaged the Estelí factory, and the Miami manufacturing base became a target of violence.
Despite these challenges, Orlando and the company persevered.
Padrón as a Legendary Brand
Padrón has introduced legendary lines that are continuously earning high ratings and respect from enthusiasts worldwide.
Because the Padrón family oversees the entire cigar-making process, from growing to aging and rolling, they can store and age their tobacco for long periods. This approach enables them to maintain superior quality control.
Since 2004, the brand has appeared in the Cigar Aficionado top 25 list 20 times, with 16 appearances in the top 5.
Each line offers smokers an incredible variety of blends, flavors, and intensity, demonstrating the time and care put into every handmade Padrón cigar.
The hammer is still with the Padrón family to this day. It remains a symbol of the brand's perseverance, humble beginnings, and unwavering dedication to its success.
Our Recommendations for the Top 5 Best Padrón Cigars
1. Padrón Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro
Rating: Cigar Aficionado 2014 #7 [94]
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 x 54
Strength: Medium - Full
Grade: Hand Rolled / Long Filler
Color: Maduro
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Nicaraguan Maduro
Released in 2014 to celebrate 50 years in business, the Padrón Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro stands as a symbol of refinement in cigars.
For taste, you'll be delighted with notes of dark chocolate, wood, leather, and a peppery spice that lingers in the background for the duration of the smoke.
What really wins us over is the subtle hint and scent of leather. It doesn't overpower the senses but rather enhances the experience.
The way the flavors blend and the complexity unfolds make this one of the best Padrón cigars on the market.
2. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Principe Natural
Rating: Cigar Aficionado 2022 #8 [94]
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Petite Corona
Size: 4 1/2 x 44
Strength: Medium - Full
Grade: Hand Rolled / Long Filler
Color: Colorado
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Nicaraguan Habano
The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Principe Natural is the king of smaller cigars.
The Petite Corona size is perfect for those times when you want a high-quality cigar experience but are limited in time.
Don't be fooled by its smaller size; it's still full of flavor. Unlike the intense pepper notes of the 1926, the 1964 offers rich chocolate with hints of coffee and light spice. This makes it an excellent pairing with bourbon or a morning coffee.
For a quicker, exceptionally smooth smoking experience jam-packed with flavor, the Padrón 1964 Principe Natural is a fantastic choice.
3. Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro
Rating: Cigar Aficionado 2009 #1 [95]
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Toro
Size: 6 x 52
Strength: Medium - Full
Grade: Hand Rolled / Long Filler
Color: Maduro
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Nicaraguan Maduro
Another cigar from the revered Family Reserve line commemorating the family's significant dates is the Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro.
Securing the prestigious #1 spot on the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 list in 2009, this cigar boasts a richly robust and complex profile.
What makes it unique is the high-quality tobacco inside that is aged up to 10 years.
The size makes it easier to detect the flavor changes as you smoke, contributing to its reputation as being incredibly complex.
For flavor, you'll find notes bursting with coffee, dark chocolate, cedar, and spice.
The Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro will take you on an exhilarating journey of strength, complexity, and flavor.
4. Padrón 1926 Series No. 2 Natural Belicoso
Rating: Cigar Aficionado 2017 #2 [96]
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Belicoso
Size: 5 1/2 x 52
Strength: Medium - Full
Grade: Hand Rolled / Long Filler
Color: Colorado
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Nicaraguan Habano
Introduced in 2002, the Serie 1926 is named after José Orlando Padrón's birth year.
Another Nicaraguan puro, the thick and hearty smoke foreshadows the intensity of a cigar that's arguably one of the best in the world.
One of the strongest Padrón cigars from their lineup, this cigar delights with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and the classic natural nuttiness you'll find across the entire range of Padrón cigars with natural wrappers.
The 1926 is an intense stick gleaming with elegance, meant for those who want to sit and experience a wide range of complex flavors with a bit of lingering sweet spice.
5. Padrón 3000 Maduro
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Shape: Robusto
Size: 5 1/2 x 52
Strength: Medium - Full
Grade: Hand Rolled / Long Filler
Color: Maduro
Binder / Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua
Wrapper Type: Nicaraguan Maduro
Last on our list is an underrated box-pressed gem, the Padrón 3000 Maduro from the Padrón Thousand Series.
While it hasn't yet made it to the Cigar Aficionado Top 25, it's a smooth, consistent everyday option with an excellent draw.
It features a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos, with everything being sun-grown and aged two and a half years.
The taste includes notes of the signature Padrón cedar wood with nuts and black cherry added to the mix. Certainly not as complex and flavor-changing as the other options on our list, but the construction is flawless.
Considering its quality, the Padrón 3000 Maduro is one of the best cigars you can buy for the money.
Indulge in the Padrón Experience
If you haven't tried a Padrón cigar yet, you're in for a treat. It's rare to come across one that doesn't captivate your senses.
Understanding the history of Padrón adds layers of appreciation as you indulge in their finely crafted cigars.
With Padrón's reputation for delivering some of the world's top cigars, starting your journey now will be a rewarding decision.