The Padron Series 3000 Maduro had a nice start, with a well rounded flavor profile. It took a step down in the second third as the cocoa departed and remained at that level the rest of the way. With Padron, the question usually arises, Natural or Maduro. For this vitola, they both performed equally for me, so I can't say I have a favorite between the two.
The Padron Series 3000 Natural had a nice start with the bold combination of peppers and dark roast coffee. It took a step down in the second third as the crushed red pepper was gone and the earth built up. It remained at that level for the remainder of the cigar. With this being a lower cost offering into the Padron portfolio, it's an easy try, but this isn't really a cigar I'd see coming back to with much frequency.
The Padron Family Reserve Natural No. 96 lead off with some complex flavors as spicy notes dominated for a time, eventually settling down. The second third was just into the good line for flavor balance and the cigar was somewhat linear through the last third. For a super premium priced cigar, although the flavors did just enough to rate good, this isn't something I would return to as I feel Padron has more affordable releases that deliver a better flavor performance.
The Padrón 1926 Serie Maduro No. 2 had a nice flavor combination centered around toasted oak and earth with a supporting black pepper. Some coffee joined in which added another nice supporting component. I definitely prefer this maduro version to the natural and would be the one I gravitate towards if given the choice. The price point is high, but if it's something you enjoy, you'll find the funds for it.
I know a lot of smokers clamor over this line, but to me, after I get through the initial flavor and complexity of the first third, the profile falls off a bit and becomes mundane and heavy. With the high price point and the lack of ongoing interest it provides, I don't see myself coming back to the Padrón 1926 Serie Natural No. 2 on a regular basis.
I found the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro Exclusivo to be a slighter better overall experience than the Natural, but it's still not something that really intrigues me as it is just a bit too heavy on the dark wood and earth to be enjoyable over the whole smoking experience. If you're a fan of the heavier wood and earth focused profiles, it's definitely something that may fit your wheelhouse.
While the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Natural Exclusivo is a cigar that has gained a number of accolades, to me, it just starts on a bit of a down note with the full toasted wood that builds up. It's not a complex profile and plenty of smokers enjoy this profile, but it's just not for me. I could use something else in the profile to break up the monotony of the toasted/charred wood focus.
It's hard to say if the loose fill of this Padrón Dámaso No. 32 is consistent through the line as I wouldn't expect it to be, but in this sample it just didn't allow the blend to show what I would think was intended. It's a tough showing for a cigar that has been beaten up by others previously and was a bit of a disappointment.
If you want a really strong Padrón though with a lot of focus on red pepper flavors, this is your cigar. I personally think it is a disappointment to the 1926 line and I won't reach for it down the road.