Late, legendary Padrón founder José Orlando Padrón was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba on June 10, 1926, which is where this cigar series gets the year in its name. In 2006, Padrón released this stick to commemorate José’s 80th birthday, hence the second portion of this particular smoke’s moniker.
Beautiful and box-pressed, the Maduro variation of the Serie 1926 80 Years is a “puro” Nicaraguan smoke that makes use of some of the oldest tobacco wrapper, binder and filler leaves in Padrón’s inventory; the complexity and depth the stick possesses are only achievable with well-aged tobacco.
Just one buncher and one roller in Padrón’s factory are permitted to make these cigars, which may be one of the reasons why they were ranked second on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list for 2008, with a stratospheric rating of 96 (they were also rated 95 in 2007 and 2008 and 93 in 2015).
Figurado-sized and double-tapered, the 80 Years Maduro leaves rich impressions of coffee and chocolate-covered raisins on the palate; also present are nuts, toast, orange peel, leather and Padrón’s signature aroma of cocoa, along with a long, luxurious, spiced caramel finish. This medium-to-full-strength cigar is undeniably complex, with a substantial draw, a perfectly even burn and immaculate construction.
Sadly, José Orlando Padrón is no longer with us, but these smokes are among his last and finest creations; enjoy them while they’re still available!