Padron #3000 Maduro Staff Review
Padron. The name literally says it all. There is a reason that Padron is the only company to take home the prestigious ‘Cigar of the Year’ award from Cigar Aficionado three times. Today, I am reviewing Padron #3000 Maduro, a cigar from the company’s introductory blend.
The Padron family’s cigar-making tradition dates back multiple generations to Cuba in the 1800s. However, it wasn’t until 1970 that Jose Orlando Padron took his skills to Estelí, Nicaragua, and started creating some of the most sought-after cigars the world has ever smoked. Although José Padron passed away at the ripe age of 91 in 2017, his son Jorge continues the family’s legacy by producing some of the highest-quality Nicaraguan cigars you can get your hands on.
Throughout my years of working in retail, more than half the customers I recommended Padron cigars to would say, “I can’t afford Padron!” I always understood where they were coming from because many top-rated Padrons are part of the brand’s 1964 Anniversary, 1926 Series, and Family Reserve editions which sell for roughly $11 to $40 apiece. The company’s original blend, Padron Thousand Series, is nothing to overlook. It’s a 94-rated cigar and the prices range from $5.30 to $10 apiece. The Thousand Series is a perfect introduction to an award-winning brand.
Padron #3000 Maduro is handcrafted at the company’s large cigar factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Underneath the oily, toothy Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper is an aged selection of Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos grown by the Padron family. The Thousand Series features a soft box-press, unlike the 1964 Anniversary and 1926 Series which are crafted in sharp box-pressed shapes.
The #3000 Maduro I’m smoking now is firm with just the right amount of pliability. Notes of dark chocolate, leather, and cedar emerge at the foot, while the cold draw is loaded with notes of crushed red pepper and a sweetness reminiscent of a Milky Way candy bar.
Once lit, this well-made Robusto comes alive! Tasting notes of fresh-brewed espresso, oak, and cracked black peppercorn are prominent with an underlying hint of dark chocolate. When I retrohale the smoke, the pepper stings a bit.
As I slowly move into the mid-section of this cigar, the flavor profile takes a major turn. I am picking up interesting notes of chocolate-covered pretzels and leather. By halfway, the profile becomes a bit earthier and more vegetal. Notes of bell peppers and beans meld nicely with sweet and spicy flavor. By the time I smoke down to the last inch and half, the spiciness is only noticeable when I retrohale, while creamy and sweet flavors leave an impression on the palate.
As with all Padron cigars I have smoked in the past, the construction is absolutely superior. The burn line was razor sharp and the ash was impressively strong. I only tapped the ash off two times because I didn’t feel like wearing it on my lap. The strength is definitely a bit milder than the brand’s anniversary cigars. The Padron #3000 Maduro starts out as a solid medium-bodied smoke, but slowly climbs into the medium-full category. At its strongest, I would rate Padron #3000 Maduro at a 7.5 out of 10 on the strength scale.
If you are price conscious when it comes to your cigars, start off with Padron Thousand Series before graduating to the brand’s prestigious and more expensive anniversary editions. For under $10, you don’t have to pass up premium Padron cigars. These cigars never disappoint!
