PADRÓN 1964 VERTICAL - Cigar Aficionado

Cigar Insider
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PRINCIPE
89 POINTS n 4 1/2" x 46 n $8.80
Though the draw of this cigar is a bit loose, it burns very
evenly, imparting an oaky, woody smoke with touches of
vanilla and a slightly dry finish.
Body: Medium to Full
SUPERIOR
89 POINTS n 6 1/2" x 42 n $10.10
Gleaming with oil, this near-black lonsdale produces
sweet caramel and cocoa notes, hints of licorice and
maraschino cherry flavor on the finish.
Body: Medium
BRAND SUMMARY: The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series was
launched in 1994 to commemorate Padrón Cigar Inc.’s 30th
anniversary. At its inception, the brand was first known as the
Padrón 1964 Aniversario, and each cigar came with one band.
The company subsequently changed the word “Aniversario”
to “Anniversary” and added a secondary band, reminiscent
of the tax stamps that came on pre-embargo Cuban cigars.
Regardless of the name change, the 1964 Anniversary Series is
still casually referred to as the Aniversario brand among cigar
smokers, and is held in extremely high regard. The maduro
version, which we rated here, is often indistinguishable from
the natural, as the naturals are sometimes rolled with unusually
dark wrappers.
Cigar Insider has not done a vertical brand tasting of the
Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series since 2009. A few cigars have been
added to the portfolio since then—the No. 4 (see IPCPR write-up
on page nine) and the Toro. This vertical allowed us to see how the
new cigars score in comparison with the older, more established
sizes. It also gave us the opportunity to rate cigars in the brand
that are harder to find in the market—the Corona, Monarca,
Superior, “A” and the bugle-shaped Piramide.
Only two cigars out of 12 sizes in this very impressive vertical
scored below 90 points, and more than half scored 91 points or
higher, earning the designation of “Humidor Selection.”
The two standouts in this test were the Toro and Diplomatico,
both of which scored an outstanding 94 and 93 points, respectively.
The Toro is sold by retailers who are part of the TAA (Tobacconists
Association of America) and may be more difficult to come by than
the Diplomatico, which has more distribution across the country.
If neither can be found, there are still eight more sizes in the line
that rated 90 points or higher.
Average Rating: 91.3 points
ILLUSIONE SINGULARÉ
NEW SIZES
Country: Nicaragua
Maker: TABSA
Distributor: Illusione Cigars
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico, Nicaragua
Release Date: August 2012
VIMANA 2012
89 POINTS n 6" x 52 n $11.00
Dark and solidly rolled with a nearly veinless wrapper
and full, substantial draw. Dark roasted coffee bean
notes and earth flavors carry a touch of cinnamon.
Body: Medium to Full
VIMANA 2011
88 POINTS n 6" x 52 n $11.00
An attractive toro with a few prominent veins and a
three-seam cap. Strong and peppery at the start, it
becomes earthy and nutty, but requires some relights.
Body: Medium to Full
RAMON ALLONES
CURRENT RELEASE
Country: Cuba
Maker: N/A
Distributor: Habanos S.A.
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Box Date: April 2012
SPECIALLY SELECTED
89 POINTS n 4 7/8" x 50 n £14.14
Muted flavors on the initial puffs become sweet and
leathery leaving touches of tea and dried orange peel
on the palate. A sweet note recurs on the finish.
Body: Medium
95-100: Classic n 90-94: Outstanding n 80-89: Very good to excellent n 70-79: Average to good commercial quality
Below 70: Don’t waste your money n N/A: Not Available
Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.
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