Stogie Reviews: Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro
5 Nov 2009
There were many sought-after new releases at this year’s IPCPR Trade Show, but perhaps none as anticipated as Padrón’s newest creation. Unlike most cigarmakers, Padrón doesn’t always put out a new cigar every year. When the company does, though, it’s usually in high demand.
That was certainly the case with the new Padrón Family Reserve No. 45. Released in two versions (natural and maduro) with one size (six inches with a 52 ring gauge), it celebrates the 45th anniversary of Padrón Cigars. The cigar comes in boxes of 10, and individual cigars sell for around $25 each.
For that price you’d expect a well-made cigar, and the Padrón 45 certainly has the look of a well-made smoke. The Nicaraguan puro features an oily, dark maduro wrapper carefully pressed into an ultra-firm toro shape.
The Padrón Family Reserve starts out medium-bodied but soon becomes a full-bodied treat. It has a combination of rich espresso, cocoa, and a spicy, woody edge.
Despite that powerful combination of flavor, the defining characteristic of the new Padrón is how remarkably smooth it is from start to finish. It’s an amazing intensity of balanced flavor without a bit of edge.
Surprisingly, the two samples I smoked both had unexpected construction issues, as the wrapper on each became slightly detached from the binder. The other physical properties were excellent, however, with the densely packed smoke creating a long, sturdy ash.
Back in June, Jorge Padrón told me that he plans to make the Family Reserve an annual release. Ideally, around September 8 each year (the anniversary of the company’s founding) they will release a new limited release in just one size.
And of course I’m looking forward to that natural version of the No. 45. Until then, though, we just have the Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro, an extremely decadent cigar that earns a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you are trying to say, but the Padron 45th in the Natural is already out. I have one in my humidor. It came out the same time as the Maduro. http://twitpic.com/keisn.
http://twitpic.com/keisn try this link.
You lucky SOBs! I would kill for "samples" of this smoke! hahaha
By "samples" I mean the two cigars I purchased for $25 dollars each at Georgetown Tobacco.
Just tonight I got contacted by a source and rold me that je's going to get some in stock soon I'm very happy. God bless padrons
Patrick, how would you say this compares to the 1926 or the 64 (or the 80th anniversary for that matter)? Is the difference substantial enough to spend the time seeking it out?
They are all great smokes and perhaps not surprisingly all largely similar.
I’d say it is closest to the 26 maduros. The distinction would be that I think the 45 a bit more intense, all while maintaining excellent balance.
I used the word “decadent” to describe it in the review and I think that’s best way to describe it when compared to the others. The 45, in my opinion, trades subtlety for decadence.
Is it worth spending the time to seek it out? If you like the 26 and 64 maduros (and really who doesn’t?) I’d recommend at least try at least one of two of the 45s, then making your own decision.
How does this compare to my favorite cigar of all time…the Padron 40th?
The cigars are not hard to find and should be one of the best released this year. I applaud Padron for making their reserve tobacco readily available, compared to Fuente who only sends their stuff to a snobbish selective list. However, the Anniv. line and this stogie are still priced too high, and I just don’t understand it….I mean I do, but in this economy, make that kick a** cigar for less than $10 and watch ’em fly off the shelf!!!!!
Thanks for the feedback Patrick! I’ll see if I can track a few sticks down to give em a try.
Man I wish they cold be had here in Los Angeles for $25 a piece…here it’s more like $36 a pop!
Jim thought this would be blog-worthy. First of all I had not found another cigar that has the complexity of the Padron 1926. So when I started reading the blogs about the Padron family reserve 45 maduro, it piqued my interest. I went to my favorite cigar shop to see if I could find them. As it turned out, they had one box tucked away in the corner of the humidor. The price was a little off putting. I usually don't spend that much on a single cigar. But having such a great experience with the 1926, I couldn't resist. I bought two and safely tucked them away for a special occasion. I was telling a friend, a member of my Cigar Therapy Group, of my find. He got very excited and wanted to share the experience together. As I was driving to meet my wife after work, he started texting me. How many can we get? Jim wants in …..Mike won't spend the money…Mike wants in! I politely excused myself early from my wife's function and rushed home to meet the guys. Dave generously brought a case of Guinness. It turned out to be a beautiful night to sit outside around a fire. I had already put my firepit and patio furniture in the basement. But this was an emergency meeting of the Cigar Therapy Group Dave and Mike insisted on pulling out my neatly stowed furniture. We sat around the fire anxiously awaiting Jim's arrival. we could not wait to light up the highly anticipated Padron 45. Jim arrived with his copy of the latest edition of cigar aficionado and his travel humidor. The moment had arrived. Jim was reading aloud about the Padron 45 maduro as I brought out the box with the coveted cigars that the cigar shop have given me when I bought the last three. The box is beautiful. On the inside lid it bears the image and story of "the little hammer". We passed the box around the circle as part of the ritual each of us smelling the box as we took a cigar. Initially we noticed the powerful spice that almost overwhelmed the palette. It didnt take long to notice the dark chocolate and coca undertones. As we smoked the flavors become more and more balanced. All of us smoked, until we could not hold the stub anymore. We all agreed that this is another great cigar from the Padrons!! Definately to be shared amoung friends. Highly recommended by the Cigar Therapy Group.