Padrón's Executive Natural (nicknamed "The Thousand Series Workhorse") delivers a Nicaraguan power punch in 7.5x50 double corona format. Priced at $283.40 for 26 sticks, this sun-grown cigar flexes medium-full strength with family-grown tobaccos aged 18+ months. Let's see if that hefty ring gauge holds up through a 2-hour smoke.
Cold draw brings barnyard funk - think wet cedar and fermented tea leaves. First puffs explode with black pepper retrohale that'll clear sinuses. Settles into toasted cashews and dark roast coffee at the 1-inch mark. Smoke output's medium, but the burn line keeps wandering despite triple cap construction.
Caramel sweetness emerges at the halfway point, battling earthy Nicaraguan spice. Ash holds strong in 1.5" chunks. Watch for tar buildup - couple of purge needed to maintain cocoa powder notes. Draw tightens slightly; perfect time for pairing with espresso or bourbon.
Leather and dark chocolate dominate last third. Retrohale gets fiery with red pepper flakes intensity. Bitter espresso grounds appear at nub - common in large ring gauges. Stopped at 1.5" remaining (nicotine sweats incoming). Total burn time: 108 minutes.
The Nicaraguan sun-grown wrapper shows minimal veins (4/5 rating). Box-press gives comfortable grip but watch the foot - several sticks needed touch-ups despite 65% RH storage. Triple cap unravels cleanly with straight cutter. Not the prettiest cigar, but Padrón's signature rugged charm shows through.
Nicaraguan tobacco loyalists craving bold flavors will dig this. Newbies might drown in the spice bath - try smaller vitolas first. At $11/stick, sits in "weekend warrior" territory rather than daily driver. Best enjoyed after heavy meals or with strong liquor pairings.
