Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Corona
Size : 5.5 x 42
Wrapper : Nicaraguan (Natural)
Binder : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Age : 2 years 8 months
Hand-Made
Number of reviewers : 5 — Nicholas (volpow61), Brian (B-daddy), Emmett (rhetorik), Robert (NavyPiper), Will (Dubv23)
Price : ~$3 each
Today we bring you a very special guest review of the well-known Padron Londres Natural, submitted by the crew from Blind Man’s Puff. They do blind cigar reviews – each cigar is smoked by at least 4 different reviewers and the smokes are received naked, without any bands or information. We love the concept – so go ahead and check out their site for more reviews like this one.
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 86
“Chocolate brown wrapper that’s a little unevenly colored and ugly. It’s got some darker spots. It’s got some shiny areas with dull spots and vice versa. A simple single cap that’s neat enough and a soft box-press.” –Brian (B-daddy)
Aroma: 89
“The ugly appearance is somewhat redeemed by the aroma, it smells very pleasant. I’m picking up mild plain tobacco, and a little sweetness.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Construction: 86
“The cigar felt even in the hand. It had a well done box press that was not too aggressive. It was firm with no detectable soft spots. They skimped on the cap and went with a single cap, no big deal though.” –Will (Dubv23)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Upon first puff i was greeted with light spice with a meaty/leathery flavor with a hint sweetness.” –Nicholas (volpow61)
“Right away I get a nice little pepper blast that lingers on the tongue. Besides that, about the only thing I’m picking up is coffee. As this third progresses, it mellows out a little and opens up with some more flavor including more fresh tobacco. This stick isn’t very complex so far, but what it does offer is good.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Flavors began blending together, and intensifying. Some sweetness comes and goes. Enjoyed this third as well.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“I get a transition as the second third starts. I’m getting a bit more spice and some leather flavors mixing with the cocoa. The spice and leather linger on the finish. Towards the end, I start to get some bitterness but it’s not like a charcoal bitterness, it’s more like a floral/hoppy ale. It’s nice and mild. Unusual.” –Brian (B-daddy)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“In the last third of the smoke spice and body pick up. also followed by some sweetness and meatiness it definitely ends with a bang.” –Nicholas (volpow61)
“The flavors in this third were the same as the previous third, but continued to increase in strength. About half way into this third, smoke increased greatly, and began to get a ‘burnt’ taste, but was not unpleasant. Smoked it to the nub. Really enjoyed it.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“Draw was decent. It had some resistance, maybe just a tad more than I would prefer which could have caused the bitterness in this smaller ring gauge smoke.” –Will (Dubv23)
Burn: 95
“Near perfect. Even. Ash holds for 2+ inches and the burn and draw combine to generate huge volumes of rich smoke from foot to head. Not even close to needing a touch-up.” –Brian (B-daddy)
Overall Experience: 89
“Overall a nice everyday smoke with some decent body and complexity.especially toward the end and depending on the price point, I could pick some more up.” –Nicholas (volpow61)
“Because of the burn and draw, this cigar was a joy to smoke. Combined with very enjoyable flavors, I really liked this cigar. It’s not overly complex and the flavors aren’t huge but the overall experience was very nice.” –Brian (B-daddy)
“If the price is right, I would call this a good budget choice. Nothing too complex or surprising, but a solid performance with some good flavors.” –Emmett (rhetorik)
“Very nice stick, enjoyed all of it, and was quite flavorful. I’d buy some!” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“This was a good cigar. It had some nice flavors that could be enjoyed anytime of the day by any smoker. There was not any sort of nicotine buzz that I noticed. It delivered the same flavors throughout the entire stick and did bring forth some bitterness at the halfway point. This was not a complex cigar by any means. The ash fell on me 4 times at about 1/2″…that was kind of annoying.” –Will (Dubv23)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body: Medium-Full
Smoking Time (in minutes): 62
