Padrón 1964 Anniversary review by Don José

Hey team, Don José here back with another review.

Today we have the

The 1964 Anniversary Natural

by Padrón.

If this is your first time here, my reviews rate each cigar on 10 factors and each factor gets a rating out of 10 giving me an overall out of 100. The 10 factors are: Construction, Draw, Burn, Flavour, 1/3 overall, 2/3 overall, 3/3 overall, Journey (how well it flows), Complexity & Value for money.

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Overview

The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Hermoso is a box-pressed, short robusto said to have "twice the cocoa, coffee and earth character normally found in standard Padrón 1964 Anniversary cigars."

Voted #2 cigar of 2020 by Cigar Aficionado this is clearly an epic addition to the 1964 range.

Padrón can be a slightly tricky brand for people to get their head around. They are top dollar cigars with a lot of sizes in each line (possibly to many?) and at a glance, many of them look much the same band wise. For example the 1964 series is available in sixteen sizes and in both sun-grown natural and maduro wrappers.

Padrón introduced the 1964 Anniversary Series in 1994 as a celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary. Composed of well-aged Nicaraguan tobacco, it was created by Jorge Padrón with his father, the late José Orlando Padrón, who turned Padrón into a serious producer of world-class cigars. The Hermoso is the newest size in the line, added in 2016,

Details:

• Brand: Padrón

• Size: Short Robusto 'Hermoso'

• Wrapper: Nicaraguan, Sun-Grown Natural

• Binder: Nicaraguan

• Filler: Nicaraguan

The Pardón factor.

This might be the first Padrón I have reviewed... but I have smoked countless numbers of them. For me they have always been my 'celebration' cigar. I haven't reviewed them before because... well they are a bit tricky too review.

In all honesty, in general, Padrón skews my rating scale as they really are so good that they are not comparable to most cigars.

So.. this review goes up to 11... I'm serious. Im giving the Padrón review a chance for an extra 1 point in each category if deserving.

let's get into the review.

First thoughts

Well other than wishing it was a toro, it looks great. I've chosen to review the Natural as its not my favourite from the line, the Maduro is my go-to so thats an imposed handicap.

Cold draw gives earth and coffee.

Construction

Great construction, especially for its size and with the Box-Press. Slight lift on the cap that I'm pulling a point for because I'm sure it will make it up elsewhere.

Burn & Draw Exceptional as always.

Flavour & Complexity This is really where Padrón shine. The Complexity is through the roof. All the tobacco in this cigar is aged for 4 yrs, but that can't be all thats going on here. The blend is exceptional, there is a smoothness and depth that is classic Padrón yet a boldness that is not expected from a natural wrapper. Flavours are Wood, earth, coffee, chocolate and fudge.

Strength 80% - Medium - Full

Enjoyment / Journey This cigar very much has the Padrón factor, but as expected is not quite meeting the level of the Maduro for me. That said, if you prefer natural then thats a different story right?

Overall I'm really impressed at the depth and flavours from this with the Natural wrapper. To me its not classic sun-grown natural characteristics, its bolder, with more complexity and that classic Padrón 'extra'.

Sadly, these are out of supply in NZ again - Every time they land, they are snapped up in hours. So.. join some mailing lists, keep an eye on the FB groups and get yourself one as soon as the next round arrive!

I rate this cigar 95 points! - (93 if i was capping at 10 per line)

A look at the numbers.

Construction -- 9/10

Burn -- 11/10

Draw -- 10/10

Flavour -- 9/10

Complexity -- 11/10

First 1/3 -- 9/10

Second 1/3 -- 9/10

Third 1/3 -- 10/10

Journey -- 9/10

Value -- 8/10

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About the author

Joe Murdie aka Don José has been reviewing cigars in New Zealand for over 10 years now, originally as a writer for NZBlokes, a mens magazine.

Outside of Cigars Joe is an international award winning film-maker based in Wānaka, OTA.