Padron Family Reserve No. 46 Review

[Laynard]

Cigar: Padron Family Reserve No. 46
Size: Toro, 5.5”x56 (Box-pressed)
MSRP: $26.50
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Origin: Nicaragua



Prelight: Although this is the natural version of this cigar, the wrapper is dark…maduro dark. And, like the other Padrons I have reviewed recently, this cigar “ain’t got no alibi” – it’s ugly. The wrapper has divots and blemishes, the (single) cap looks ready to just fall off, and the bands slide around at will. The wrapper smells of flowers and cedar and the foot like cocoa and earth – similar to the x000 series. The cold draw is very loose and tastes like dusty wood. So far, I am not seeing why Padron thinks this deserves the inflated MSRP. (Thank goodness for CBid; I would never have purchased this at a B&M.)



1/3: There is some nice pepper to start off, which is not too spicy, but does give my taste buds a kick start. And, regardless of having no resistance, each draw produces volumes of smoke. Behind the pepper there is a pleasant sweetness waiting to emerge. It seems like chocolate. I am also tasting some earthy wood and leather. Although pepper remains the primary flavor of the first third, the supporting flavors create an enjoyably balanced profile.



2/3: The flaky, white ash drops after about an inch and a half. The woody and chocolate flavors come to the forefront in the second third. I am really enjoying the profile of this cigar. As I reach the halfway point, I notice quite a bit of nuttiness in the flavors as well. After that, the sweetness in the cigar comes from a heavy leather taste that plays second fiddle to cedar. This is definitely a full strength, full body cigar.



3/3: The final third needs a purge as things are getting a little bitter. After that, cedar is still the dominant flavor, but there are some nice spices in the mix as well. A bittersweet hay taste comes in to pair with the cedar at the nub to end this flavorful stick.

Overall: This cigar is another example that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. This seems to be the MO for Padron; the ugliest sticks taste the best. With a great burn line and smoke output, I’ll again have to let the loose draw slide. The flavors were powerful and delicious, and the flavor changes were logical and just complex enough to keep my interest. However, the price is ridiculous. For the money, one could easily buy 3 just-as-tasty cigars. Unless gifted another, this will be the last Family Reserve I smoke.

[DBragg]

Good review. Thanks for posting up. I have burned a few of the 64's and while they arent bad, I guess Im not a padron fan. I have some 26's that I will eventually get around to burning, but when i have the time and state of mind for a truly premium smoke, I generally am thinking of something else.