September 8, 2009 marked the 45 year milestone of the Padron cigar business. To celebrate this event, Jose released his Padron Family Reserve No. 45 cigar. The Padron Family Reserve was made in very limited quantities and was shipped at various times. The initial shipment was all Maduro, but some have natural wrappers. The tobacco inside are all Nicaraguan puros, and the leaves inside are aged for 10 years. It is endearingly called “The Hammer”.

Jose Padron came to the US with little more than a few hundred dollars to his name, an admirable work ethic, and a passion for cigars that has been passed along for three generations. He founded his first factory with the money he saved as a carpenter- a modest $600.00. Jose used the seeds that he had secretly put away during his flight from Cuba in 1961, after his tobacco farm was nationalized by Fidel Castro. He brought with him over a century’s worth of tobacco knowledge. The Padron Family Reserve is a celebration of the oldest and most recognizable cigar manufacturer in history.

Upon observation of the band, you will notice the image of a hammer. This commemorates a most precious gift Jose received from a friend when he was virtually penniless. This gift allowed him to become a carpenter and start saving for his passion…making cigars. There is a second anti-counterfeit band, and the third band denotes 45 years in business. This box-pressed stick has a toothy wrapper with hardly any veins, and the roll is seamless. Padron Family Reserve boasts of flawless construction.

Before lighting the Maduro, you get notes of cedar and spice from the foot, and notes of cocoa from the cold draw. When lit, you know you are in for a very special smoke! Rich, chocolaty tobacco fills your pallet with notes of leather, earth, nuts and wood. This carries on into the 2nd third where flavors of spice come in as a compliment.

Rich notes of chocolate, coffee, and hints of cedar carry on till the very end. The ash has an impressively small carbon line and holds on nice and tight. The burn is even throughout, and the draw is excellent. The only difference between the Maduro and the Natural is cocoa. The natural has a more dry and spicy profile. Both are subtle and well balanced two-hour smokes.

The Padron Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro cigar has earned top honors in Cigar Aficionado’s top 25 lists of cigars, being named top cigar of the year three separate times. The No. 45 is an intense smoke jam packed with rich hearty coffee notes and ample amount of spices. It is stronger than typical Padrons, being made with some of the family’s oldest leaves. They come in “tidy” boxes of 10 and have a proud price-point. The Padron family has a reputation of putting out exquisite cigars of quality and consistence and the No. 45 is no exception. It is definitely a special smoke for a special occasion.

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