Pre-light Experience

The rectangle pressed Padrón 1926 Serie Natural No. 2 had a light brown wrapper with a network of lightly raised veins and a fair number of wrinkles. The seams are very smooth and the tapered head is finished off with a nipple. The cigar seems a bit light for its size. There are two bands, with the primary being the traditional design for this line and sits on top of the secondary band which holds the serial number. The aroma from the wrapper is a very faint mix of wood and earth while the foot brings a much fuller mix of wood and pepper. The pre-light draw brings musty cedar.

First Third

The cigar begins with a mix of musty wood, earth and black pepper. The retrohale is musty wood and light earth. At an inch in, the black pepper has mellowed a fair amount. At an inch and a half, the black pepper picks back up and all of the components are even. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the musty wood and earth are slightly dry and a bit ahead of the black pepper. At a half inch in, the profile is fairly drying to my palate. The retrohale is now musty wood, earth and light black pepper. At an inch in, the black pepper has a very long finish. At an inch and a quarter, the wood gains some toast. As the third comes to a close, the toast becomes fairly heavy. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

The final third begins with musty and lightly charred wood, earth and mild black pepper. The retrohale is now musty wood and dry earth. At three quarters of an inch in, the black pepper is very faint. The cigar wraps up with musty and lightly charred wood, dry earth and faint black pepper. The strength in this third remained at slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy at times. The cigar also went out once, requiring a re-light. The ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Draw

The draw was slightly looser than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar started well, but once the profile became a bit dry and the pepper had a long finish in the second third, things dropped down a notch and maintained that level the rest of the way. 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.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.75

Cost/Point

$3.20

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Padrón 1926 Serie Natural No. 2