This box-pressed Nicaraguan puro demands attention with its decade-aged tobacco and 6"x52 figurado shape. The Family Reserve series commemorates the Padron dynasty's legacy through meticulously blended Criollo 98 leaves - a $348.50/box investment that serious smokers call "liquid time capsules".
The Colorado Maduro wrapper glistens with oil, revealing its 44-year pedigree through densely packed leaves. Cold draw offers cedar and black soil minerality.
Initial puffs deliver a roasted almond creaminess with white pepper tingle on retrohale. Smoke production stays medium, avoiding overwhelming novice smokers.
Core flavors shift to dark chocolate ganache and cherry compote sweetness. Watch for baking spices (cinnamon/nutmeg) that emerge at 45-minute mark with perfect burn line.
Mineral-driven finish showcases Padron's volcanic soil origins. Despite the full strength rating, nicotine buildup remains manageable - though I suggest pairing with raw honey coffee.
Padron's dual-origin blending uses Estelí-grown ligero for power and Jalapa-seed viso for sweetness. The 10-year aging process occurs in Estelí's volcanic rock warehouses, creating that signature mineral-laden finish CA reviewers love.
