Stogie Reviews: Padilla Edición Especial 2006 Obsidian
5 Mar 2009
Over the years I’ve learned that you can judge a cigar by its appearance about as accurately as you can a book by its cover. This powerful-looking Ernesto Padilla creation, though, delivers exactly what its commanding presence promises.
One of a lineup of Edición Especial cigars released by Padilla in 2006, the Obsidian features a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, a Honduran-grown corojo binder, and a jet-black Nicaraguan ligero wrapper leaf.
While production was supposed to stop after 50,000 Obsidians, Cigars International is still selling “an encore performance†in “limited quantities†($100 per bundle or $30 per five-pack). It’s worth noting, due to the continuation, that the “2006†refers not to the age of the tobacco but only to the year the original batch was released. Sneaky, sneaky.
The six inch by 54 ring gauge belicoso-shaped vitola is the only size still available from this burly blend. It is dark, formidable, and thick with few veins and barely noticeable seams. Intense prelight notes of dark chocolate and nuts abound.
The cold taste yielded some spice on the lips and a relatively tight draw—undoubtedly the product of the cigar’s ultra-tight packing. Once lit, I encountered a strong, mouth-coating taste of black pepper, leather, and hints of tea. The flavor settles after the first inch to include a cocoa sweetness, only to amp up again down the home stretch.
Regrettably, the meandering and finicky burn requires constant monitoring and occasional corrections. The ash is also on the flakey side.
When it’s all said and done, this heavy-handed beast of a cigar finishes just about par for the course. It’s certainly not inspiring or extraordinary, but it’s definitely satisfying, full-bodied, and appropriately priced. For that, I give the Padilla Edición Especial 2006 Obsidian three and a half stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
I like this as an excellent value priced cigar but don't pay that $100 price tag. Being a Cigar's International product wait for it to be a 'Joe's Deal of the Day' (usually $25 for 10 and free shipping) or pick it up off of cigarbid.com.
Along with CI, Tinderbox also carries this cigar. They have bundles/boxes of 20 for $99 with free sipping. They also carry a Sampler with 5 Graycliff 1666 & 5 Padilla Obsidian for $45..
The one Graycliff 1666 I tried was terrible. Strange burn and bad marks for the flavor. I still have 4 more in the humi. Perhaps these will turn out better with some age.
I haven't tried the Padilla Obsidian yet. I have liked all the Padillas I have tried in the past, though. Your review is making me a bit more comfortable about trying this one, but I still don't like how CI is practically giving these away.
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I bought some recently from CI’s wholesale divison to sell in my store. They taste good enough for the money but so far have exhibited burn problems on all three sticks I’ve personally smoked?
The wrapper on this stick is really nice looking as it glistens and promises a robust smoke…Too bad they burn so irregular.