The Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Belicoso Maduro rolls in with that distinctive box-pressed figurado shape, packing 52 ring gauge muscle into its 5-inch frame. This Nicaraguan puro celebrates the brand's milestone with oily maduro wrapper that glistens like motor oil under sunlight. At $432.50 per box of 25, it's positioned as a special occasion smoke that actually delivers daily-driver consistency.
First Third: Immediate coffee grounds and bitter chocolate punch through the dense smoke output. The draw feels like sipping a thick milkshake through a wide straw, with faint black pepper tickling the nostrils.
Middle Third: Smoke turns creamy as cashew nut sweetness emerges. I get cedar planks soaked in molasses, with that signature Padron earthiness keeping things grounded. Burn line stays razor-sharp without touch-ups.
Final Third: Dark fruit notes pop up unexpectedly - think black cherry reduction sauce. The nicotine buzz creeps in quietly but demands respect. Ash holds strong for nearly two-thirds of the cigar before dropping cleanly.
The triple-seam cap unravels cleanly with a v-cut. That dark maduro wrapper feels slightly toothy between fingers, with visible oil smudges left on the cutter. Padron's signature dual bands include a unique serial number - mine reads "A0819S" matching the box code.
While not the cheapest Nicaraguan option, the aging process shows in smooth combustion and complex transitions. The box-pressed format makes it stand out visually in humidors, though some find the angular shape less comfortable for extended sessions compared to traditional parejos.
