Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

For as long back as I can remember in my smoking life, the name "Padron" has been synonymous with three things: Quality, Flavor and Expensive as Hell.

Well, I am happy, happy and unhappy to report that their new stick does not disappoint on any of those attributes.

The newest cigar from Jorge Padron, officially named the Padron Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro, (and unofficially nicknamed "The Hammer") is a reblended version of an almost mythical cigar, the Padron Family Reserve, which is a cigar that can be obtained only by being given one by Padron himself (or presumably any one of the extended family, although I have not confirmed that as of yet). The 45th in the name is to commemorate the company's fact that Padron has been doing business for 45 years, and the cigars were scheduled to be in stores by September 8th, which is the actual day of the anniversary.

As with most other Padron sticks, this cigar is offered in both Maduro and Natural wrappers, although the Natural version is said to be quite a bit more rare. All of the tobacco in the cigars has been aged 10 years, and each of the versions come in a great little box of 10, instead of the standard 25.

Enough chitchat, let's get down to business, shall we?

http://www.BrooksWhittington.net/cig...in(nologo).jpg

* Country of Origin: Nicaragua
* Wrapper: Nicaragua
* Binder: Nicaragua
* Filler: Nicaragua
* Size: 6 Inches (Box Pressed Toro)
* Ring Gauge: 52
* Est. Price: $25 (MSRP)
* Date Released: September 8, 2009

The first thing you notice when you pick up this stick is the color...it is a reddish, chocolate brown...The second thing you notice is the EXTREME box press...this fraker is SQUARE...it is almost distracting, how much box press it has on it... The band is wonderful, great color (especially against the dark wrapper) and what I would call the definition of "Classy".

The dark wrapper is very toothy, almost rough, and smells distinctly of Chocolate and Cinnamon...The cigar itself is VERY firm, almost rock hard (as are most Padrons I have smoked)...It exudes quality and there is no doubt you are holding an expensive cigar.

From the first puff after lighting, I was literally BLASTED with spice that made my mouth tingle...This was a bit surprising in a Padron stick, and I was taken aback by it for a moment...The spice continued at that level for about 15 puffs, then diminished just a bit, and flavors of oak and chocolate came in...but the spice was VERY strong for the whole 1st third...

http://www.BrooksWhittington.net/cigars/461C0257.jpg

In the second third, the spice calmed down quite a bit (I would say about 40% or so), but remained in the background just enough to accentuate the other flavors of a great earthy wood (almost gritty), leather and dark chocolate...

http://www.BrooksWhittington.net/cigars/461C0277.jpg

In the last third, the spice picked back up, almost (but not quite) to the level of the beginning...not overwhelming at all, and the leather, earth and chocolate continued until the end of the smoke...the cigar did not get hot at the end at all, and I was able to nub it easily...

http://www.BrooksWhittington.net/cigars/461C0322.jpg

Final Notes:

* This is EASILY the strongest (and most spicy) Padron I have ever smoked.

* I kept mentioning the spice in this stick for the whole review, and I honestly believe it is the major reason this is such a great cigar...The flavors were great of course (but they always are in a Padron, let's be honest), but the spice was perfectly balanced with the rest of the flavors, which really took it over the top in terms of overall experience (unlike, say, the Padron 80th, which I believe tried to accomplish the same effect, but fell FAR short).

* As I was writing this review, I just got the newest Cigar Aficionado Insider in my inbox, and CA gave this stick a 94 rating, and they got it right (for once).

* This was not the most complex of cigars, but most Padrons aren't...the greatness of the Padron blend is the quality of the entire stick: from the feel before you light it, to the burn and draw (which have been perfect every time I have smoked one, and this one was no exception), to the amazingly consistent flavors...When you pick up a Padron, you know Exactly what you are going to taste, and that is not easy to accomplish in the cigar world.

* I noticed the strength of this cigar at the end...honestly, it kinda snuck up on me at the end...Do NOT take this stick lightly, or it will bite you in the ass...

The Bottom Line: The thought that kept running through my head the entire time I was smoking this was that the best way to describe this stick was a cross between a Pepin and a Padron...It seems to incorporate the best of both worlds: the unmistakable flavor (and quality) of a Padron, with the punch of a Pepin. It is quite literally the best Padron I have ever smoked, even better then my beloved '64 Imperial Natural, which has been a staple of mine for years. If you can find them, I would buy them.

Final Score: 95

~brooks

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Excellent review, Brooks, thanks for all the detail and pictures. :tu

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Nice review, sounds like a great smoke. :tu
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Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Fantastic review. Thanks!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Nice review!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

awesome review and great pics. thanks.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Great review and really nice pics. :tu

Thank you for taking the time to do this. :)

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Great Review Thanx

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Thanks for the review. The pics were awesome.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Great review Brooks, glad you enjoyed the cigar!:tu

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

A+ on the review brother!! Thanks for thinking of us! :tu

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Awesome review with wonderful pictures. This is one cigar that is top on my list to sample.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

This Hammer officially needs THAT Hammer!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

now...in search of, "THE HAMMER".....thanks Brooks!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Awesome review...thanks for sharing!! :tu At $25 a stick, not to sure about this one.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

thanks for sharing! I figured someone here would get their hands on one of these. My local shop said they had one box of 10 that sold out within a few hours. :(

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Sweet review Brook! When I heard about these, I said to myself, "crap, here goes another $200 on cigars for me" and after reading this... Crap here goes $400 on cigars for me!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Awesome review & Pics, Brooks! I can taste that stick, myself! Thanks!:tu

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

"this stick was a cross between a Pepin and a Padron..."

That is one heck of a compliment, in my opinion, now I'm gonna have to try....Thanks Brooksey! :tu

Great review and pic's as usual! :tu


"Sweet review Brook! When I heard about these, I said to myself, "crap, here goes another $200 on cigars for me" and after reading this... Crap here goes $400 on cigars for me!"

Nah, at 10 to a box that's only $250.00! :r

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Thanks for the review! I need to get one of these :)

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Can you buy singles?

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

I know that the B&M I buy from is selling them as singles.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Nice review and awesome pics!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

a friend just picked up some for $24. Score!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Great review! I'm a huge Padron fan, you just put this cigar on my short list, even at $25 a pop!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Awesome review, however I think like all of the other high priced Padrons I probaly will never buy one of these. But so far your review is right on par with everything I've heard about these

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Thanks for the review. I will have to pick ONE of these up!!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

These look awesome. But I'm very inexperienced when it comes to Padron Anny cigars, I've only smoked one thus far. So I need to try some of the regular 1964/1926 first I think. The issue is that these are way out of my price range.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Nice review, and awesome pics! Now I have to try one!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

I guess I'm the friend that picked up a couple of these. BEAUTIFUL cigar! This stick is bigger than an 80th and cheaper than a 40th. Sometimes you've just got to part with the money for the experience... or...put one on a MAWPIF list. :)

Thanks for the great review and pictures.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Thanks for the review I cant wait to try one

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

counting the rest of my school loan funds now....

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Late Edit: Slightly smaller than an 80th. I hadn't compared the two until I put these down with the rest of the Padron's.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

I wish I could afford it...
Scott

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

I am new at reviewing but know what I like in a smoke, so please forgive my review :)

Dry draw reveals spice with an Oak flow...Very rich, chocolate smoke on initial puff...Deep, rich flavor....Box press, dark oily wrapper....Strong in flavor but not overpowering....Very tightly packed....Draw is perfect....Slight Cocoa flavor....Paired with Kalik beer....Very tight ash....Lots of smoke.....Cedary tones on the 2/3....Sharp burn....Sweet aftertaste in last 1/3…….nice

Overall a 9.5/10 smoke, worth the $25?, yes and no.....I think everyone should try at least one but I can't afford for this to be my daily smoke......I am a traditional CC lover but this is one fantastic smoke

As Cole Trickle says in Days of Thunder....."I am dropping the Hammer"

Bart

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Good job Bart and good job Brooks. I hear that these sticks are the most spicy of all Padrons. I will need to get my hands on a few of these. Enjoy em guys!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

That cigar sure has a good looking Mexican Maduro wrapper.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Great review:tu

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Got to try one of these! Thanks Brooks.

I say we smoke em next time we are in Vegas. :)

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Appreciate the beautiful pictures... and the nice review of an excellent smoke. :tu

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Did you get yourself a box of did you just grab one to do a review? Shoot me a pm when you smoked an entire box to get a solid review. peace.

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Broke down and got a box from the good people at Taboo along with a box of 26 Belli's and Taboo Doms. Hope to post some review while traveling next week!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

I bought a box of the Maduros and one of the Naturals...

What is your point?

~brooks

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

He's just wondering if your thoughts will change at all after smoking more.

By the way, how does the natural compare to the maduro? In the regular Padron '64s that I've had (like 1-2 of each only, lol), I've liked the Natural wrapper better, so if I were to pick up on only one of these I'd likely grab a nattie ...

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Hmmm...I took his comments differently...

I have not smoked a Natural yet (I am reviewing a Padron Milli maddie before that), but have the box waiting for me...Like you, I prefer the Natural over the maddies in the '64s (by a long shot) but honestly, the maddie 45th was so good, I am wondering if the natural COULD be better....

We will see :)

~brooks

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Best Padron I EVER had!

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Sweet! I just bought the last one at my B&M, so I just need the right opportunity to smoke it. :banger

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

I bought a few when they came out! Think I'm gonna let em sit for a while and see if they can get even better. :dr

Re: Padron 45th Maduro-It Frakin' ROCKS!
 

Great review.
Can't wait to try one of these.