If you haven't reached a decision yet, but vote would be for Padron. Being cost conscious, my vote would be for the 2000 maduro. Best of the x000 Series line IMHO. What was stated is true...larger (meant longer and/or bigger ring gauge) cigars don't necessarily mean that you are getting more flavor, just more cigar. I smoked a lot of Rocky Patels for awhile when I first began smoking cigars and I still smoke a few from time to time. The Decade and Vintage 1990 being my favorite. I've only been smoking cigars since 2008, but I can tell you that even in this short time frame, both the Vintage 1990 and the Decade do not taste the same as they did back then, and not for the better either. Finally, someone brought this up before, but truly you can't beat Padron when it comes to consistency, not just in their premium lines but in the x000 series as well.
Oh...and it is very sage advice to not buy a box of any cigar you haven't tried before and truly liked. Trust me, I'm speaking from personal experience here. I say this because those cigars will be relegated to the bottom of the stack and probably never smoked...a real waste of money. Over time your taste in cigars will naturally change, and you will gravitate towards different cigars. This process alone will leave you with plenty of unfinished boxes of old favorites, that you really don't enjoy quite as much anymore. Why add to that eventual pile by purchasing boxes of cigars you don't even know you'll like. Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure, and vice versa...don't go by what others say, you have to taste and experience it for yourself when it comes to cigars...and booze for that matter.
Whatever you decide on, hope you enjoy the smokes.
