This is another cigar that has been hiding in my humidor for quite some time. I dug it out last night and decided to give it a go. As always, full disclosure is the name of my game and I have to point out that Casa Fernandez stuff is very hit or miss for me. I liked the Aganorsa Leaf, but I have found many of their other offerings to be very pedestrian. Having said that, I always let each cigar stand on it's own for my evaluations.
This cigar presents well, the wrapper is rich looking and the band work is interesting. It seems a touch dry to me, and there are some prominent veins. A quick roll through the fingers reveals some tension, but I don't think it will cause any issues while smoking. The pre light aroma is full of dark wood notes. The pre light draw has some bitter tobacco notes, but a nice earthy undertone.
The smoke opens with a profile that is decidedly bready, with maybe a touch of cream in the background. This is a unique flavor complexion and I am impressed with the originality of the smoke early on. At the back of the palate there are some very nice notes of earth and wood that are offsetting the sweetness of the front of the profile very well. The draw is a little tighter than I normally prefer, but it is not causing me any issues to this point. The burn is a touch off kilter, but not necessarily showing any signs for concern.
The first half of the smoke shows some interesting developments. The profile shifts into a more deep presentation of bread and oatmeal notes, but is not particularly complex and I would like to see some more intermediate flavors to serve as a backdrop for the front of the profile. At the back of the palate there continues to be a nice note of earth and wood, with some spice coming in as well. The draw continues to be a touch too firm for me, but it is not causing any heat in the smoke. The burn has evened out nicely and I anticipate no further issues.
The final half of the cigar transitions even further. The profile shifts into a more straightforward showing of tobacco and spice characteristics and I am somewhat disappointed by the disappearance of the earlier flavors. At the back of the palate there continue to be some notes of earth, wood and spice. The draw opens perceptibly in the final moments and the cigar delivers some more intense flavor in the final salvo. The burn stayed solid for the entire last half of the smoke.
The finish was long and lingered with nice tastes of wood and spice.
Overall this was a nice smoke. I would have liked more depth and complexity, but the cigar showed some very unique flavor ideas in the first half.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking presentation
Taste- 90 some great early ideas, but in the end some fizzle instead of sizzle
Construction- 88 some tightness in the draw and early burn issues
Strength- 85 a very unremarkable medium
Overall- 88.25 an above average, and enjoyable smoking experience
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Padron Family Reserve No.45 Maduro Toro (6X52)
It has been awhile since I have posted a review and I figured that while I was sitting at the incredible new Maduro's lounge I would get back on the horse for another no holds barred smoke critique.
This cigar has been biding it's time in my humi for a bit as I looked for just the right time to sit back and consider it. I am always struck by the ruddy, cheroot like appearance of any Padron super premium. This is no exception, it appears to be the working man's cigar, perfect for roping calves or plowing the field. However, it is priced at $25 per smoke and that is no everyday yard banger. Visuals aside, I am impressed with rest of the smoke, slightly box pressed and dark and rich. The wrapper is oily and has some tooth. I can detect no issues in the construction of the smoke and after a quick inspection decide that it will be just fine. The pre light aroma is all earth and clove. The pre light draw is showing some light pepper and some interesting coffee and fruit notes.
The cigar opens with a profile that is less that what I expect from this smoke, it is nice, but lacks complexity and depth in the early moments. There is a nice peppery opening, but the usual Padron earthiness is lacking here. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of dark wood and some light tobacco essences, but I am not blown away at this point. The burn is razor sharp and a ponderous white ash forms quickly. The draw is exceptional, imparting just the right amount of smoke with very little effort on my part.
The first half of the cigar starts to warm the insides, like a fine scotch this cigar showed some straightforward plainness early but really kicks into high gear as it opens up. The profile has transitioned into a very pleasant array of pepper, earth and coffee and it is ramping up as the cigar continues. At the back of the palate there continues to be a nice woody foundation, but there is a note of raisin here as well. The draw and burn continue to be very impressive.
The final half of the cigar loses some steam, and I have transitioned from a cigar that I thought might be legendary, to one that is just above average. The profile thins considerably and shows just some notes of pepper with some occasional coffee blasts. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of dark wood, but the earthy notes that I have been looking for start to sneak in here, unfortunately they are too late. I also note a significant increase in the strength in the last third. The burn and draw are splendid throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows some lingering earth and pepper tones.
For my money the 1926 is still a much better smoke, but this one was very good.
Appearance- 88 a bit rough, but still nice to look at
Taste- 91 some late profile issues detract from the experience
Construction- 94 a very excellent presentation in this area
Strength- 92 some surprising power late
Overall- 91.75 a very nice experience
This cigar has been biding it's time in my humi for a bit as I looked for just the right time to sit back and consider it. I am always struck by the ruddy, cheroot like appearance of any Padron super premium. This is no exception, it appears to be the working man's cigar, perfect for roping calves or plowing the field. However, it is priced at $25 per smoke and that is no everyday yard banger. Visuals aside, I am impressed with rest of the smoke, slightly box pressed and dark and rich. The wrapper is oily and has some tooth. I can detect no issues in the construction of the smoke and after a quick inspection decide that it will be just fine. The pre light aroma is all earth and clove. The pre light draw is showing some light pepper and some interesting coffee and fruit notes.
The cigar opens with a profile that is less that what I expect from this smoke, it is nice, but lacks complexity and depth in the early moments. There is a nice peppery opening, but the usual Padron earthiness is lacking here. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of dark wood and some light tobacco essences, but I am not blown away at this point. The burn is razor sharp and a ponderous white ash forms quickly. The draw is exceptional, imparting just the right amount of smoke with very little effort on my part.
The first half of the cigar starts to warm the insides, like a fine scotch this cigar showed some straightforward plainness early but really kicks into high gear as it opens up. The profile has transitioned into a very pleasant array of pepper, earth and coffee and it is ramping up as the cigar continues. At the back of the palate there continues to be a nice woody foundation, but there is a note of raisin here as well. The draw and burn continue to be very impressive.
The final half of the cigar loses some steam, and I have transitioned from a cigar that I thought might be legendary, to one that is just above average. The profile thins considerably and shows just some notes of pepper with some occasional coffee blasts. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of dark wood, but the earthy notes that I have been looking for start to sneak in here, unfortunately they are too late. I also note a significant increase in the strength in the last third. The burn and draw are splendid throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows some lingering earth and pepper tones.
For my money the 1926 is still a much better smoke, but this one was very good.
Appearance- 88 a bit rough, but still nice to look at
Taste- 91 some late profile issues detract from the experience
Construction- 94 a very excellent presentation in this area
Strength- 92 some surprising power late
Overall- 91.75 a very nice experience
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