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Padron Family Reserve 45 Years "The Little Hammer"

Kingantz

Growing too fast.
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
7,648
Eighty-four degrees Fahrenheit. In the middle of November. Wow. Let me tell you the bugs are having a hay day here at my house. There are literally dozens of wasps swarming around the walnut tree, going in and out of several open holes throughout the rugged looking tree. Won't be sitting under there today. There’s also seemingly hundreds of what we call "No see‘'ems"” flying through the air. Really tiny little reddish looking bugs that sting the fire out of you. So, I’m sitting on the confines of my back porch, snug as a bug in a rug. :)

I'm putting fire to a Padron Family Reserve that I received not long ago from my good friend Art (mrrt), who I must graciously give thanks for sending. This is an absolutely gorgeous looking cigar with a very smooth and oily maduro wrapper that has one small vein running the length and noticeable tooth. It has a very solid weight, quite heavy in the hand with a box pressed shape that is impressive. I punch the cap, test the draw, and find a perfect resistance with a sweet tobacco taste coming through and a possible hint of tea leaves.

I torch the foot and blow on the embers, repeating several times until the embers are glowing orange evenly throughout, then take several puffs to get the smoke flowing. My first draw brings a strong black pepper spice on the back of the tongue and throat with the smoke itself a good medium to almost full strength. The body seems thick, chewy even, with a good, straightforward tobacco taste. I would go so far as to say this was one meaty cigar.

About an inch or so in, the powerful black pepper spice dies down to a mild white pepper on the back of the throat with the smoke continuing to be a medium to not quite full strength. I’m still finding the flavor simply good, straightforward tobacco with a semi-lasting finish that is rather clean.

A third in and the burn is sharp with a strong, medium gray ash forming. Good medium strength smoke is flowing effortlessly through the perfect draw, the body continuing to be thick on the palate. I really like the heftiness in the cigar, having a really good mouth feel to it, solid between the teeth. Taking a long draw, I exhale slowly through the mouth and nose, and have to say there’s not a lot of richness to the smoke; a meaty, tobacco taste with a hint of sweetness, leaving a clean finish on the palate.

Halfway in and on into the final third, the cigar performed flawlessly with sharp burn and perfect draw producing just the right amount of medium strength/bodied smoke as well as perfect spice. But, I do have to say I wasn’t all to impressed with the flavors. Other than just a straightforward tobacco taste, there wasn’t much more there. I did detect a bit of sweetness as I immediately exhaled the smoke, however nothing lasting. Towards the end it seemed somewhat bland to my palate. I’m wondering if maybe I got a dud?

I can see having one of these after a good steak on the grill as it was downright meaty. Art, many thanks for the opportunity to sample this cigar!

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I don't know Greg you may have got a dud. I smoked one of these last week and even though I thought it started slow but by the last third I did not want to put it down. But as we all know taste is subjective.

Brian
 
Greg, great review as always! I can't believe the weather today either. It was 75 here and I was smoking on the deck myself. I've yet to try this vitola, but am less interested after your review. For the money, they are many other interesting cigars I could pick up. Thanks for the great photos once again.
 
My local B&M has a stash of these. Just haven't pulled the trigger on this bad boy. Padrons always perform flawlessly! Padron is only the non-ISOM I smoke besides a few fuentes. Thanks for the review Geg! :thumbs::thumbs:

-ree
 
Tea leaves Greg? ??? What do tea l;eaves taste like? :p


As far as the smoke, it sucks to see that you didn't care for it, ya snob. I've got one that was gifted to me (you know who you are!) and I can't wait to set fire to it. I am extremely excited about these cigars!
 
Greg, you might have gotten a dud. I smoke three of them this week and one of them was pretty much in line with your review...just ok. I would def give another one a shot and see what you think. These are one of my all time favorite sticks right now
 
I definitely still want to try this one. Shame the finish wasn't better, but it still sounds like a great smoke. Thanks again!
 
I’m wondering if maybe I got a dud?

I can see having one of these after a good steak on the grill as it was downright meaty. Art, many thanks for the opportunity to sample this cigar!

Greg,

I don't think you got a dud, Bud...ahahahaha. You mention enjoying one after a great steak dinner. These are great then; to relax and continue enjoying a good evening after a great meal. I also love them to start the day with a great coffee. They just have this very mellow/relaxing overtone to them. I especially like them when I can go sit on the Pier and talk to the old timers on a Sunday morning and just relax and chat.

If you think that was a dud you give a holler and we'll be sure to get you a few that won't dissapoint.

Glad you got a chance to enjoy the stick

Art
 
I swear...
Every time I see a picture of your dog it reminds me of Ireland. Everyone has a JRT there. I miss many things about Ireland, including the availability of CCs.
 
I haven't had one of these yet, but am expecting to pick up a box from the local later this week. I'm curious to see how this stacks up against the 1926 line.
 
Great review! I'll have to find one for my Padron meltdown I'm planning for next year or so. A Millennium, an 80th, a 40th and a Little Hammer should about do it :)
 
Finally dropped the hammer and bought the hammer today. $24 a stick I guess wasn't too bad for the 45 year stick.
 
I smoked one a few weeks ago and found it to be exactly as Greg described it. Today I smoked another... Man, the perfect cigar that was. Glad I have one more.
 
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