Quick Smoke: Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Recently named the best smoke of 2009 by Cigar Aficionado, this new Nicaraguan puro commemorates the 45th anniversary of Padrón Cigars. It exhibits good construction, a slight box press, and a full, balanced profile of coffee, cocoa, and spice. I’d certainly agree with my colleague’s choice of words when he called it “decadent” in a November review. But with a price tag of $25 for a single, I’ll have to save the Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro for rare occasions.

Verdict = Buy.

-Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys