Padron Series Natural and Maduro

The 3000 Natural (5 1/5 x 52) lost body towards the middle. It recovered a little towards the end. But it was not a satisfying smoke. The 3000 Maduro didn't have that issue. It was delicious throughout.

The Padron 'Series' selection is the basic cigar line of this premium blend. They are entirely Nicaraguan tobacco. They come in both Natural and Maduro cigars in various sizes. They claim to be aged two and a half years before release. So chances are they are at least three years old by the time of smoking.

They are well described at Neptunecigars:

Natural: https://www.neptunecigar.com/cigar/padron-series

and Maduro https://www.neptunecigar.com/cigar/padron-series

I tried the 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 in both the natural and maduro. Flavour, construction and aroma for all were quite consistent with the major difference between natural and maduro.

• Flavour: Natural came close to a Cuban, the maduro were classic maduro flavour
• Body: mild to medium body, with the finish sometimes too short.
• Aroma: at best, good, rich aroma, both in the natural and maduro. 
• Strength: Surprisingly strong for a mild to medium body. 
• Complexity: Mostly complex with one exception, the 3000 natural
• Consistency: Consistency with one exception, the 3000 natural
• Appearance: nothing special.
• Draw and construction: all of them are very lightly packed and easy draw. No burn issues. No relights needed. However, the light packing made for short burn times, which I found disappointing. 

The 2000 Series Natural is the smallest vitola. It is a classic 5 x 50 robusto. I found this to be the tastiest vitola that I tried in both the natural and the maduro. Being lightly packed, I only got forty five minutes bliss.

The 5000 Natural (5 1/2 x 56), despite its decent size, was very lightly packed and burned away far too rapidly. It barely lasted 50 minutes. (The 2000 lasted almost the same duration.) I was expecting well over an hour. The mild to medium body and short finish might have contributed to the speed with which I consumed the stick. By the midpoint I was considering smoking something else when I was finished. However, the cigar had quite a bit of strength, despite its mild body. By the time I reached the nub I was quite light headed and abandoned the idea of seconds.  

Overall, the Naturals were tantalizing in their Cuban-like flavour. (They reminded me a bit of the Vegueros Entretiempos, a short little robusto with distinctive Cuban flavour, quite mild, but medium to strong, although not consistent from stick to stick. I once almost fell off my chair after and inch!) But light construction and fading body in the 3000 made them less satisfying than the Maduros, which were consistently good. 

Despite the light construction, ash held on brilliantly.

Another cigar from the 'natural' sample set: the 1964 Natural: pleasant, but nothing memorable. I suspect that the cigars that I received were past their prime.

June 26th, 2021: Padron 4000 Maduro - 6.5 x 54. Overall, a very well made and satisfying 80 minute cigar. Details below the picture.

Construction: The cigar is light in the hand. Construction is otherwise smooth, as shown in the picture. 

Draw: As expected with the lightweight feel, the draw was easy throughout, but never hot. Smoke production was voluminous. During the first ten minutes I felt as though the cigar were burning too quickly due to a lack of fill, body, finish and strength. But during the second half, body, strength and flavour picked up well, allowing a reduced pace of consumption.

Burn: Even throughout. No waviness.

Flavour: First half mild to medium, typical maduro flavour. Second half, more intense and more satisfying, richer flavour. Not much pepper to note, if any. 

Body: Light to medium body until the second half; then body improved substantially but not quite to full body.

Strength: Low strength for the first half after which strength picked up nicely. By the final third there was quite a pleasant kick to the cigar, but not overwhelming.

Finish: Light finish developing to a more satisfying length in the second half. 

Aroma: Good and occasionally excellent aroma, allowing pleasant moments to enjoy the aroma without puffing. 

Ash: Ash was light and fell off every inch or inch and a half. 

Balance and Consistency: Very well balanced cigar with noticeable development, from the mild beginning to the final strength. Easy draw and delicious aroma throughout.

Time smoke: 80 minutes. 

Overall: Quite satisfying. I would prefer more strength and flavour at the outset, but overall, this was a quality cigar.