Padron Family Reserve: 50th Maduro 2014. Review - Easter Weekend Review Comp.

[Walt69]

Ok, I know this isn't a CC, but I feel it would be a disservice to the community if I didn't do a review of this new 2014 stick. The pics are coming from my phone so please bare with me lol.

The cigar itself is a beauty. The elegant bands contrast well with the deep dark chocolate color of the wrapper. Construction looks flawless and the scent coming off this thing is incredible "cocoa, barnyard, earth, pepper". I clipped the cap, revealing a perfect draw "loose with just a touch of resistance." I can hardly wait to toast this guy up.

1st third: Fairly big pepper and spice blast, although not as much as some other annis I've had. Toast, spice, coffee, dark cocoa are all present and fairly easy to detect throughout the 3rd, along with that certain "Padron-earthiness" that comes with just about every one I've had.

2nd third: The pepper and spice come waaaaaaay down and give way to a more sweetened earthy character that is more prominent on the retrohale and finish. The dark cocoa turns into a sweet milk chocolate with cream. This is probably my absolute favorite part of the cigar. Everything coming together in a medium-full bodied combination of flavors that don't seem to overpower one another. Brilliant.

Final 3rd: the earth starts picking up again to the point where you can almost feel it deep in your chest. That pepper/spice is back also but nowhere near the intensity of the beginning. The sweetness is still there but is battling back and for for dominance with the more stout flavors of the dark earthiness and spice. This last 3rd i'll call a seasoned smokers delight as there's just about every flavor previously mentioned along with a bit of a nic-kick.

I ended it with less than an inch remaining.

I liked everything about this cigar. The construction is spot on, the smoke output was amazing putting off great billowy clouds of thick chewy smoke, the flavor profile was right up my ally. The only thing negative is the price. MSRP is 25$ US which makes this more of a special occasion stick.

Truly a great stick, i advise anyone who has a chance to try one to do so if they like these flavor combinations.

[SmittyinAZ]

Nice job. One of my favorite NCs. Hope to find one soon.

[Ramrod918]

Great review thnx

[JohnS]

Sometimes a good cigar is a good cigar. Thanks for sharing Walt!

[MIKA27]

Nice review of a nice Cigar!

[Andrew11]

Great review!! Outstanding cigar as well.

[mash]

Thanks for the review. Have you smoked any of the prior Family Reserves for comparison?

[rmill3r]

Padron 64 Principe Maduro is still one of my favorite NCs. good stuff!

[Walt69]

Thanks for the review. Have you smoked any of the prior Family Reserves for comparison?

I've smoked the Family Reserve 46 and didn't like it as much as this one. The flavor is pretty similar but I prefer the 50th. I hear the 45 Maduro is one of the all time favorites though, just haven't had a chance to try it yet.

[skalls]

This is on my list to try this summer.

The Padron 1926 80 years is thus far the king of all cigars from my persective.

[Vortigan]

Great review.The only thing I'd say is that it sounds very like my experience of most of the '000 series cigars....take from that what you will.

[Walt69]

Great review.The only thing I'd say is that it sounds very like my experience of most of the '000 series cigars....take from that what you will.

From my experience, it seems like Padron has a "core set" of flavors that seem to be present it most of the sticks they produce. Intensity may vary and with the more expensive lines additional/different flavors seem to be present. That plus the additional aged tobacco "10 years in some cases" leads to a more complex smoke, while maintaining that similar core of flavors.

Consequently i love the x000 series also lol. The 3000 maduro was one of my favorites for awhile.

[Vortigan]

From my experience, it seems like Padron has a "core set" of flavors that seem to be present it most of the sticks they produce. Intensity may vary and with the more expensive lines additional/different flavors seem to be present. That plus the additional aged tobacco "10 years in some cases" leads to a more complex smoke, while maintaining that similar core of flavors.

Consequently i love the x000 series also lol. The 3000 maduro was one of my favorites for awhile.

Yeah the core flavours concept makes a lot of sense from those Padrons that I've smoked,not that I'm an expert that or any brand.The 2000 maduro is an ever present in my humidor.It's a stick that I enjoy not just because it's a cheap and cheerful but it's also one that I reach for when I don't want to have to think too much about a smoke or fight for the flavours,so to speak.It's a cigar that I liken to Big Mac,as strange as that might sound.No matter where you get one or when you smoke it you always know what you're going to get,it's a very predictable and reliable cigar - its greatest strength and perhaps also,its greatest weakness all at the same time.

[Walt69]

Yeah the core flavours concept makes a lot of sense from those Padrons that I've smoked,not that I'm an expert that or any brand.The 2000 maduro is an ever present in my humidor.It's a stick that I enjoy not just because it's a cheap and cheerful but it's also one that I reach for when I don't want to have to think too much about a smoke or fight for the flavours,so to speak.It's a cigar that I liken to Big Mac,as strange as that might sound.No matter where you get one or when you smoke it you always know what you're going to get,it's a very predictable and reliable cigar - its greatest strength and perhaps also,its greatest weakness all at the same time.

I completely agree. The 2000s I've had are sort of in-your-face with it's flavors so it's not really hard to pick stuff out lol. I wouldn't call it a yard-gar or a dog-walker, but more like a "cards with the buddies" sort of stick.

[Bclass1]

I just picked one of these up to try today.. It's the maduro wrapper. At $30.00 a stick, it better at least keep me interested. I'm hoping it out does the 45th family reserve, but I'll be satisfied if it comes close

[Lotusguy]

Smoking one right now. Very strong. Loose draw. A bit of spice in the beginning but then mellowed out. Not worth the $37.50 at the B&M in Cali...

[TM-US]

Ouch, Cali taxes are crazy! The Padron 50th is $25 here, that's why I won't even buy one to try. My favorite is the 1964 Especial, which is a most uncommon lancero offering from them.

[dchapman]

Love this cigar.