Padilla Miami 8 & 11 Robusto

[jstrat]

I picked up a few Padilla Miami 8 & 11 robustos from cookie_1978 (thanks!) a couple of weeks ago and have been anxiously waiting to fire one up. I smoked the first one last night and here's a quick review.

I smoked this one after a nice meal and had a steaming mug of strong coffee with it. The prelight draw was nice with a taste of pepper and earthy tobacco. Kind of reminded me of a Partagas Serie D No. 4. A good sign.

I fired it up and was rewarded with some spicy smoke. A few hints of caramel and pecans, but I was surprised that it was more medium-bodied than I expected. I thought it would be more powerful.

The first third was nice, but I was hoping for more. The flavors I detected were nice, but very muted. I actually think the coffee over-powered it.

The second third picked up a little, with more of the pecan coming out, but again, it fell short of the bold, powerful flavors I was expecting. However, it did develop a very nice ash and a pleasing aroma.

By the final third, most of the flavors dissolved into straight forward tobacco with just a hint of cedar and nuts. After a few puffs I laid it to rest in the ashtray.

Overall, a decent smoke, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I will let the remainder rest a few more weeks before I try another.

Hopefully, the Tatuaje Regios that are resting in the humi will fare better!

Edited b/c I can't type tonight! :laugh:

 

[Fyodor]

The second third picked up a little, with more of the pecan coming out, but again, it fell short of the bold, powerful flavors I was expecting. However, it did develop a very nice ash and a pleasing aroma.

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The Tatuajes are stronger and have a more "in your face" type of flavor so you will probably like it better. I like the Padilla for the reasons you dislike it. I enjoy the subtle refined flavors, I found it to be complex and elegant. I don't like a lot of full body cigars that just knock you over the head with brash flavors that don't harmonize well together. I find the Padilla to be a very balanced and enjoyable cigar. I am surprised by how many aren't liking the 8/11. Oh well, they are super rare so I guess that's a good thing for me.

 

[jstrat]

Fyodor, you've described the Padilla well, it was very balanced. I think I came across a bit too negative in my review; I did like the Padilla, I think I was just expecting something a bit bolder. I need to smoke another to really give an accurate review.

 

[Ginseng]

Great clarification, Fyodor. It sounds like the Padilla will be exactly the different kind of smoke that I've been looking for.

I think I would be reasonably happy smoking nothing but Tatuaje, Oneoff and Padilla for a year.

Wilkey

 

[cigardawg]

I've smoke a couple of the 8&11 robustos. Very nice smoke. The one thing I can suggest is...don't store then at 70%. Closer to 62-65% is the trick. The first one I smoked was straight off the shelf of the store...maintained at 70%. It smoked OK, but got a bit harsh on the back end. The second, smoked like a dream...smooth all the way down...wonderful. I have added these to my NC rotation.

Now, to try the lancero. :thumbs:

 

[jstrat]

Cigardawg, I think you are right. I keep my humidors at 65%, but these have only been in there about two weeks. More time at the lower RH will probably bring out some additional complexities.

 

[Fyodor]

Judging from the experience of others, it is possible that these cigars may not be completely consistent. The ones I have had have all been great but a couple of them really stood out and blew me away. A wise member of this forum once said, "The one problem with boutique cigars is consistency. Most do not have access to a ton of aged tobacco so the blends can change from batch to batch." May be some truth to that I don't know. For anybody that doesn't like the first one I would definitely recommend trying another. And definitely store them at 62- 65% RH.

 

[maxnyc1999]

I would have to agree with these reviews posted. The first 8/11 I had was exquisite, had flavors truly one of the top cigars I have ever had, but since then I have bought a few other and have been disappointed. Could the inconstancy be from the resent press which led to a run-up in production? The first one I had was maybe 6 moths ago pre any reviews.

 

[Fyodor]

I would have to agree with these reviews posted. The first 8/11 I had was exquisite, had flavors truly one of the top cigars I have ever had, but since then I have bought a few other and have been disappointed. Could the inconstancy be from the resent press which led to a run-up in production? The first one I had was maybe 6 moths ago pre any reviews.

I bought quite a few singles of the Lanceros from my local shop a while back and they were great. I just recently bought a box and they seem quite a bit different. They look ruff and are darker in color. The singles I got from the shop were from the old pyramid looking box and the recent ones are from the Cigar Aficionado cigar of the year box. I would recommend looking for the old boxes. However, I've only smoked one out of the recent box, maybe it was a fluke.