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Padron 2000 - the best budget smoke?
Padron 2000 (natural)
DSCN2479.jpg
Size: 5x 50 (robusto)
Age: Unknown
Smoke Time: 1 hour
Source: If I told you I’d be censored. So why not visit this site instead?: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/
Drink: Tea
Since we had some nice weather this afternoon, I decided to take advantage of the sunshine to have a cup of tea and a Padron 2000 in the garden. These cigars are great ‘every day’ smokes and I often find myself reaching for one. Unfortunately, they seem to disappear in record time whenever I have some, even though I don’t smoke every day. If you can find them at a reasonable price, then buy yourself a 5-pack to try. I promise you won’t regret it!
You’ve probably already guessed that I’m a big Padron fan. In my humble opinion, their high-end sticks are the undisputed kings of the NC world and even their cheaper offerings are consistently good smokes. So I apologise to the Fuente and Oliva families, who both receive an honourable mention, but as far as I’m concerned Padrons rule the overpopulated NC roost.
I should probably stop raving about Padrons and start reviewing this stick before I’m accused of being a sales rep. Anyway, a sales rep probably wouldn’t admit that these cigars are always ugly and that this particular stick is no exception. Although the wrapper is shining with oils, it’s also gnarled and bumpy and has a rough texture almost like sandpaper. There are several large veins and the cap has been applied at an unusually jaunty angle. To be honest, this stick looks like it’s been put together by a first-year apprentice roller with a severe twitch. But how does it smoke?
The pre-light draw reveals rich, high-quality tobacco and coffee. When I light up, I’m immediately hit with powerful and full-bodied espresso, cocoa and pepper. The cigar burns unevenly for the first couple of inches, prompting a touch-up half way through the first third, but the burn remains razor-sharp from that point onwards. I can detect notes of earth and leather in the background but spice remains the dominant theme. It’s so intense that it causes a pleasant physical sensation, gently tickling my taste buds and making my nose tingle. The draw is very open and produces a ridiculous amount of smoke, which engulfs me in a thick, aromatic cloud. I start to wonder if the Padron 2000 is a major source of carbon emissions. Hopefully my neighbours won’t jump over the garden fence and spray me with a fire extinguisher!
The cigar starts to settle in the second third and becomes medium-bodied rather than full. This strikes me as odd because I’m used to cigars increasing rather than decreasing in strength as they progress. The fiery pepper and intense espresso subside into softer cappuccino and cinnamon, with cedar and earth in retrohale. Although these flavours are rich and hearty, they are tempered by the tiniest hint of acidity, which provides a refreshing finish. This third isn’t especially complex, but the flavours are sharp, distinct and incredibly well-balanced.
The final third is the most interesting. Smooth cappuccino is accompanied by earth, wood and buttered toast. I get occasional waves of bitter coffee and then the pepper returns in full force. But the most unusual flavour comes in just before the nub, when I’m astonished by a brief blast of something smoky and meaty that reminds me of barbecued beef. I’ve smoked these sticks before but I’ve never tasted anything like this! I’m still licking the taste of steak from my lips when I start burning my fingers.
I suspect that this is a clever trick perpetrated by the Padron family on unsuspecting smokers: Every so often they surprise you with a cigar that begins to taste of flame-grilled steak when you’re just about to put it out. This shocks you so much that you end up burning your fingers. Meanwhile, the Padrons drink rum at their Nicaraguan ranch and laugh their heads off at the poor bewildered gringos. Despite feeling that I’m the butt of their in-joke, I can’t help admiring them.
This amused bewilderment fits in with my overall impressions of this cigar: I really don’t know how to score it. It’s gutsy, rich and flavoursome, but lacks the sophistication and complexity of my favourite Cuban robustos (the PSD4, Boli RC and RASS). Anyway, this is probably an unfair comparison to make. Despite the inflated prices of Padron 2000’s in this country (about ?10 a stick), these cigars are mainly aimed at the
The Padron 2000 isn’t a world-beating robusto, but it is a very tasty smoke. I honestly can’t think of another $4 cigar that delivers this much in the way of flavour and satisfaction. While there are better smokes on the market, I reckon that it’s probably unbeatable within its price range. So I'll say it again: if you can get Padron 2000’s at this kind of price, then I unreservedly recommend them.
DSCN2479.jpg
Size: 5x 50 (robusto)
Age: Unknown
Smoke Time: 1 hour
Source: If I told you I’d be censored. So why not visit this site instead?: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/
Drink: Tea
Since we had some nice weather this afternoon, I decided to take advantage of the sunshine to have a cup of tea and a Padron 2000 in the garden. These cigars are great ‘every day’ smokes and I often find myself reaching for one. Unfortunately, they seem to disappear in record time whenever I have some, even though I don’t smoke every day. If you can find them at a reasonable price, then buy yourself a 5-pack to try. I promise you won’t regret it!
You’ve probably already guessed that I’m a big Padron fan. In my humble opinion, their high-end sticks are the undisputed kings of the NC world and even their cheaper offerings are consistently good smokes. So I apologise to the Fuente and Oliva families, who both receive an honourable mention, but as far as I’m concerned Padrons rule the overpopulated NC roost.
I should probably stop raving about Padrons and start reviewing this stick before I’m accused of being a sales rep. Anyway, a sales rep probably wouldn’t admit that these cigars are always ugly and that this particular stick is no exception. Although the wrapper is shining with oils, it’s also gnarled and bumpy and has a rough texture almost like sandpaper. There are several large veins and the cap has been applied at an unusually jaunty angle. To be honest, this stick looks like it’s been put together by a first-year apprentice roller with a severe twitch. But how does it smoke?
The pre-light draw reveals rich, high-quality tobacco and coffee. When I light up, I’m immediately hit with powerful and full-bodied espresso, cocoa and pepper. The cigar burns unevenly for the first couple of inches, prompting a touch-up half way through the first third, but the burn remains razor-sharp from that point onwards. I can detect notes of earth and leather in the background but spice remains the dominant theme. It’s so intense that it causes a pleasant physical sensation, gently tickling my taste buds and making my nose tingle. The draw is very open and produces a ridiculous amount of smoke, which engulfs me in a thick, aromatic cloud. I start to wonder if the Padron 2000 is a major source of carbon emissions. Hopefully my neighbours won’t jump over the garden fence and spray me with a fire extinguisher!
The cigar starts to settle in the second third and becomes medium-bodied rather than full. This strikes me as odd because I’m used to cigars increasing rather than decreasing in strength as they progress. The fiery pepper and intense espresso subside into softer cappuccino and cinnamon, with cedar and earth in retrohale. Although these flavours are rich and hearty, they are tempered by the tiniest hint of acidity, which provides a refreshing finish. This third isn’t especially complex, but the flavours are sharp, distinct and incredibly well-balanced.
The final third is the most interesting. Smooth cappuccino is accompanied by earth, wood and buttered toast. I get occasional waves of bitter coffee and then the pepper returns in full force. But the most unusual flavour comes in just before the nub, when I’m astonished by a brief blast of something smoky and meaty that reminds me of barbecued beef. I’ve smoked these sticks before but I’ve never tasted anything like this! I’m still licking the taste of steak from my lips when I start burning my fingers.
I suspect that this is a clever trick perpetrated by the Padron family on unsuspecting smokers: Every so often they surprise you with a cigar that begins to taste of flame-grilled steak when you’re just about to put it out. This shocks you so much that you end up burning your fingers. Meanwhile, the Padrons drink rum at their Nicaraguan ranch and laugh their heads off at the poor bewildered gringos. Despite feeling that I’m the butt of their in-joke, I can’t help admiring them.
This amused bewilderment fits in with my overall impressions of this cigar: I really don’t know how to score it. It’s gutsy, rich and flavoursome, but lacks the sophistication and complexity of my favourite Cuban robustos (the PSD4, Boli RC and RASS). Anyway, this is probably an unfair comparison to make. Despite the inflated prices of Padron 2000’s in this country (about ?10 a stick), these cigars are mainly aimed at the
The Padron 2000 isn’t a world-beating robusto, but it is a very tasty smoke. I honestly can’t think of another $4 cigar that delivers this much in the way of flavour and satisfaction. While there are better smokes on the market, I reckon that it’s probably unbeatable within its price range. So I'll say it again: if you can get Padron 2000’s at this kind of price, then I unreservedly recommend them.
don TJ and the 
Coros
(I have no idea what Mexicans put in their tea but based purely on stereotypes I reckon that they probably add tequila and tabasco sauce! 
)
You know what? I think I'll have some Earl Grey tonight along with a Triny Reyes.
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