1 review for Padilla Studio Tobac Figurado
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Padilla Studio Tobac Figurado
Overall Score
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Aaron
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Figurado
Size : 6 x 60
Wrapper : Ecuadorian Habano
Filler : Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : $14.00 (my local B&M is more around $12.00)
The most disappointing thing about being a cigar reviewer is that there are so many cigars out there and you can only review so many. The Padilla-Studio Tobac cigars had been sitting in my humidor staring at me for over 3 months now and for some reason or another they kept being pushed back in my rotation of review smokes time and time again. I eventually decided it was about damn time I got to them, so here goes.
The gist of what this cigar is about is that it is a reach out by Studio Tobac to broaden its horizons and touch the mainstream by collaborating with some big names in the industry. So for this first collab, they reached out for the genius that is Ernie Padilla to produce a limited stick that would pair both Studio Tobac and Padilla’s expertise in bringing a unique cigar to the U.S. market. The tobacco is all Oliva‘s but they consulted Padilla to tweak the blends. Word on the street is that this will not be the last of Studio Tobac’s collaborations which is exciting news. I am personally excited to try this cigar out because I have been a huge fan of Padilla’s body of work ever since the release of the original Miami 8&11 years ago. The 8&11 was a game changer for me, and has a lot to do why I am sitting here writing this review. Now on to the review,…
Appearance : [rating:5/5]
Maybe it’s just me, but a lot of the cigars I have been smoking lately are just amazingly beautiful. This Padilla is one of the most unique and unblemished cigars I have seen this year (even though it’s a 2011 release). This is a huge figurado dressed in a uniformly colored Colorado brown wrapper with minimal veins and tight seams. The foot has a nippled end and the head is torpedo-ish. I really dig the double band with the Dominus insignia and small Studio Tobac wrap.
Construction : [rating:4.75/5] (4.75)
Just by looking at it, it is flawless on the outside. Although it has almost a closed foot, the dry draw is open and easy. The foot was very difficult to light and I was afraid that this figurado was going to burn really crooked. So I toasted the crap out of the foot with a soft flame Djeep, and remarkably the burn corrected itself and the line was razor sharp. The ash of the bulbous end held on for eternity. Simply put, the construction is spot on and is probably one of the best burning figurados in the game.
Flavor : [rating:4.75/5] (4.75)
The initial attack is amazingly smooth with loads of sweet floral notes. I would say it is very Cain-like in its flavor profile (should be, it’s Oliva’s tobacco in the cigar). There is some light woody, cedar thing going on underneath the floral qualities, very unique and delicious.
While finishing off the 1st third the body is definitely medium+, but the flavor is full and doesn’t seem to let up.
I am almost around halfway through this mammoth cigar now, and the flavor profile has not changed much but the body is more full bodied. Ever since the first third I noticed a persistent mild spice that I pinned as white pepper. The white pepper is very aromatic from the smoke released from the foot and through the retrohale.
The last half evolves seamlessly into an amalgam of sweet nuttiness, cedar, floral, and oak flavors. The increase in complexity is a nice change from the straight forward flavors for most of the first half. All in all, a great finish.
Value : [rating:3/5]
It’s $14, I don’t have to tell anyone this is not your everyday smoke, And if it is, well, you are doing a lot better off than I am. This is a once in a while smoke or a celebratory stick. One should go out and have a good steak dinner and celebrate afterwards with a nice drink and this cigar,… it will make the price tag go down a lot easier.
Overall Rating : [rating:4.75/5] (4.75)
Nothing about this release was overlooked. The presentation, boxing, appearance, flavor, and construction are top notch. One of the best figurados I have had the pleasure of smoking. These are in very limited quantities so I hope that you readers out there may be able to get ahold of one of these. I am really lost for words after smoking this cigar, it was that good. I am totally looking forward to future collabs from Studio Tobac.
This is definitely a box worthy purchase, even at its current price tag, because there is plenty of flavor to last and these will only reveal more over time and become more enjoyable when the strength dies down. It was such a beautiful day after horrible thunderstorms in Central Texas, and I topped this off with a nice bottle of locally brewed Jester King Thrash Metal Farmhouse Ale. Hopefully you all out there will be able to do the same with your favorite libation. Keep smoking my friends,…
Michael
Aaron, thanks so much for this review. I read it straight through and am better for it! One comment though: I’m a bit confused as to what the Value section is meant to represent. If it is simply a direct reflection of the price without weighing it against the quality of the cigar, then your Value section seems consistent (the cigar is more expensive, therefore it receives fewer stars). But if your Value section is instead meant to reflect the quality of the cigar weighed against the price paid, then I’d be curious to hear what you left out of this section.
Once again, thanks for this review!
Rob
If you are having a problem keeping up with all those sticks to review, I volunteer to help.
Stogies On the Rocks
George T. Stagg thats a great bourbon. I always like to pair sticks with my baseline bourbon Makers 46 and see how it combines with it. Then I’ll go lighter or stronger depending on the pairing. Cheers!
Aaron
@Stogies on the Rocks, i went out and bought a whole box of these. I will pair it with a bourbon next time. I got a bottle of 2011 George T. Stagg calling my name from my home bar!
Stogies On the Rocks
Man I have to agree, I love the look of this cigar. The figurado can be intimidating to new smokes they look at it and they’re like what the hell do I do with it? With all the floral notes you’re picking up I bet this cigar would pair really well with a nice bourbon. I’ll be on the lookout to see if I can pick one up.