In the world of Cigars, the house of Padron is the one of the most prestigious and well-respected. Started by Jose Padron in 1964, Padron 1926 Serie is a dedication to Jose’s birth year. It also won “Top Cigar” in 2007, in Cigar Aficionado Magazine so I decided to give it a try. The 1926 Serie features a Nicaraguan wrapper, binder and tobacco and is stronger than the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series.

Always weary of those double-digit priced offenders I chose the No. 35 short robusto which was priced $14.95; the lowest of the batch. At first inspection, this bad boy looks great. This half hour smoke features a beautiful dark brown maduro wrapper. It’s firm but soft to the touch, and only two visible veins.

Bandwith:
The double  band is spicy. It’s very classy and all the sticks come with a unique serial number.

Opening:
After cutting the cigar I took a sniff and was pleasantly surprised by the scent. I lit it up and was impressed by the initial face. The draw was just right and the initial taste wasn’t overpowering; subtle spice too which I don’t mind. Additionally the ash was firm with the whitest grey I’ve ever seen, if that makes any sense.

Seconds:
Wow what a great cigar. Everything is moving along nicely with this bad boy. Right now I’m thinking dam I should have picked up more of these. Its got a great slow burn and the smoke ring is going out even.

Thirds:
The final third on this Padron 1926 Serie has built up into a complex smoke with no harshness in sight. The peppery flavor is a slightly stronger now and the hints of cream make this a winner. I did hit a snag with the cigar going out though. After a couple of tries with the matches I was back in business. With a couple of more puffs, I put this one to bed.

The Verdict:
I loved this cigar. My only gripe is the cost. But with lines like Padron, and Davidoff that is to be expected. If you’re interested in the 1926 Serie, I suggest trying to catch a sale online. Brick and mortar smoke shops will usually retail this cigar much higher. But if you’re like me, the price tag shouldn’t deter you from missing a great experience. And this is one to certainly not miss.

4.5 out of 5 crowns