The box-pressed Padron 1964 Anniversary Exclusivo Maduro arrives with serious street cred among boutique cigar fans. Packing a 5.5"x50 frame wrapped in oily Nicaraguan maduro leaf, this medium-full bodied smoke commemorates the brand's half-century legacy with limited batches aged 4+ years. At $370/box of 25, it's positioned as a special occasion stick that still punches above its weight class.
First Third: Immediate espresso kick with dark chocolate bitterness, settles into roasted almond sweetness. Smoke output stays moderate - not a cloud chaser's pick.
Middle Third: Cedar wood emerges alongside caramelized sugar notes. Some pepper spice flashes briefly but never overwhelms. Burn line stays razor-sharp.
Final Third: Baking spices (cinnamon/nutmeg) dominate as nicotine strength builds. The maduro wrapper shows its dark side with earthy undertones, finishing with dry cocoa powder texture.
The box-pressed format feels substantial without being cumbersome. Tight ash holds past 2 inches, though some 2022 batches showed minor tunneling issues. Maduro wrapper oils transfer visibly to fingers - a good sign of proper aging.
Let it rest 6 months post-purchase. The 1964 series benefits dramatically from extra humidor time, allowing the Nicaraguan tobaccos to harmonize their earthy power with the wrapper's sweetness.
