The Padrón cigar company has done itself proud with its Churchill, here offered at a paltry $3.90 or so at most decent tobacco shops. I tried my first Padrón, however, at Sullivan's in Houston, and at a considerably inflated price.

That's because it was one of the first non-Cuban cigars in the size I prefer that got a 90 or above on the Cigar Aficionado ratings for Churchills earlier this year (it was the issue with John Travolta on the cover, I believe). I was curious. This cigar was given a 91, a princely endorsement from Aficionado, and if I recall correctly only Cuban cigars (including a Cuban Padrón) in the Churchill category were rated higher.

There is confusion on some faces about Cuban and non-Cuban cigars with the same company name. That's understandable; I was confused myself. Prior to the Cuban trade embargo of the early sixties, nearly all of the really premium cigars were made in Cuba (they still are, but give me a moment here). When the embargo closed off trade with the United States, many of the owners saw the writing on the wall - unless they could find a way of selling to the United States, their biggest market, they could kiss the business goodbye.

Thus, many Cuban tobacco seeds and plants were stolen. Owners fled the island with their booty and planted in other countries - in Padrón's case, he moved his operations to the Honduras, and eventually to other places (this particular cigar - filler, binder and wrapper - was made in Nicaragua). New factories were opened in these countries, and workers were hired to start production and keep sales to the USA going. You'll note that Padrón's web site states that they started their company in Miami in 1964. Note the date. For your information, Señor Padrón was making cigars long before 1964 - in Cuba. He now makes them there again, and is now one of many major cigar company owners that have both Cuban and non-Cuban operations.

I loved this cigar when I first tried it, and it remains my favorite now. It is important, as with any cigar, to keep it well-humidified, and complaints of brittleness or flakiness with this smoke simply do not make sense if it was properly stored. I have never had that problem.

Fortunately, McCoy's Fine Cigars, just a block from where I work, keeps Padróns well-stocked. There is no real burn or initial harshness when lighting up this 47 ring gauge stick, and the draw is smooth as warm honey. A light, peppery spiciness is what I notice when I make my first full draw, with hints of chocolate and cedar. The body starts mediumish, and becomes full-bodied with nutty flavors toward the middle of the stick. It is singularly well made, and the ash holds well and affects the flavor not at all. The draw is relatively easy throughout, becoming easier toward the last half of the smoke. The finish is very smooth - it leaves a little spangle of spices. This is not what you'd call a "strong" smoke by any means, which is why my wife probably liked it in comparison to my Partagas Coronas, which pack a little more wallop in terms of heat and strength.

In my mind, this cigar is a superior product, and deserves its 91 rating.

Cigar smoking in general? It brings me a moment of respite, of quiet escape - I visualize landscapes and beaches where I'd like to be, I think kind, gentle thoughts, relive pleasant memories, and I'm at peace with the world. The world, as a matter of fact, is a different place when I have a good cigar.

More than enough reason to get a Padrón of your own, I think.




Recommended: Yes