Padron 1964 Anniversary, SI-15 Natural (Smoke Inn 15th Anniversary)

[OHRD]

Size: 6×60

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sungrown

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Strength: Medium/Full

Price: 15 for $277.50; 5 for $92.50

Grade: 9.4

Smoke Inn Cigars is celebrating their 15th Anniversary with three limited edition releases. Their first release was the Tatauaje Anarchy, which was largely well received. Their second released is a Natural and Maduro version of the Padron 1964 Anniversary cigar. The blend is the exact same, but is in a new size – a large 6×60. You can purchase the cigars by visiting this link.

Here is some information on the cigar from Smoke Inn’s website.

In commemoration of our 15th Anniversary this year, we commissioned the Padron Family to make a special size exclusively for our stores. Jorge Padron’s face lit up when we told him our idea of a 6×60 Anniversary Cigar. What’s better than a Padron Anniversary Cigar, A BIGGER Padron Anniversary Cigar! This monster stick bellows smoke like a chimney. The sheer amount of tobacco used in this cigar creates a bold experience differing from the other vitolas in this line. All tobacco used in this limited production series is aged for four years, creating a smooth and complex flavor. There was less than 500 boxes produced of this limited edition, so don’t waste a second and get a part of cigar history today!

I was very excited about firing up this cigar, and went for the Natural first. We’ll have our review of the Maduro soon.

Pre-light, 1.7:
The Smoke Inn edition of the Padron Anniversary cigar is an interesting cigar to hold. Its size is at first off putting, but after spending some time with, it bears some excellent characteristics. The wrapper is a chocolate brown with a double cap. It is full of spidery, ghost-like veins, and is smooth to the touch from cap to foot. The cigar is well packed with no soft spots, but it is not as heavy as I’d expect with the size. The foot is well formed but a bit loose, and the overall appearance is rustic, weathered, and worn. The aroma carries notes of barnyard and attic wood at the foot, a sweet cap, and cocoa powder and mild cedar along the wrapper. The draw is open, even loose, and the flavor is clean with a mild spice and cinnamon.

Burn, 1.9:
The Padron SI-15 displays a near flawless construction with an excellent burn that emits copious amounts of smoke, despite the difficulty of drawing the larger ring gauge. The ash holds well and is evenly colored without any flaking or misdirection. The burn maintains itself even during long breaks between puffs.

Flavor, 3.0:
At first light, it is apparent to me that I am not totally comfortable with the 60 ring gauge. On first light, the Anniversary is smooth with notes of cedar and cocoa. In the second third, the flavor bares a strong Nicaraguan flare with spice in the back of the throat and a strong cedary goodness. The body and the flavor pick up in the middle third. Into the final third, the balance and flavor of the first third returns, creating an excellent, clean, and smooth finish. The melded notes are cedar, a mild wood, mild to medium spice, and a creamy cocoa that is incredible. My mouth watered throughout this smoke and I had a hard time putting it down between puffs. The large ring gauge causes the profile to be very well balanced and smooth, which may be the strongest feature of this premium cigar.

Overall, 2.8:
This is an excellent cigar! The trade off for the increased ring gauge seems to be a superb balance and voluminous smoke production – and this is a trade off I’m happy to make most days. Without question this is out of my comfort zone in two areas – size and price. At $18, this is not something I’d keep many around of, but I have no hesitation recommending this cigar either – it’s just not one that I would pull out just any old evening. The excellent construction and burn, and wonderful flavor profile, make this the best cigar I’ve had through the first few months of 2011.

(Total: 9.4)