2004 Padron 6000 Maduro

5.5 x 52 Torpedo

Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Storage: 63 – 65 RH at 63 – 68 F.

Construction: Mottled maduro and Colorado brown wrapper with a few medium veins. Slightly lumpy and rough looking, but very solid roll.

Prelight: Deep earth and rich tobacco aroma. Earth, wood, cedar and dark tobacco flavors. Medium draw.

Burn: Lit evenly, fairly sharp burn. Off-white ash tinged with grey.

Drink: Starbucks Frappuccino.

Smoking Notes: Padron 6K starts off with the classic Nicaraguan profile of dark loamy earth, nuts, and deep, dark coffee notes. The smoke is very thick with a long sweet-woody finish. About 1/3, the cigar turns very earthy and develops dark bitter chocolate notes to compliment the heavy earthiness and dark, almost burnt, coffee. Some leather notes also begin to emerge and the finish takes on a sweet/spicy note. Halfway, the 6K is a dark, heavy powerhouse of dark coffee, bittersweet chocolate, earth, rich tobacco, black pepper and the interesting sweet/spicy finish. It became a bit bitter around 1/4 so I tossed it.

Overall Impression: A solid B+. The Padron “K” series doesn’t get enuf press IMHO. While they certainly aren’t as smooth and refined as the Anni’s, they are a great smoke. I’d recommend at least 6 months of humi time to smooth these out a bit, this one was about 8 months old. The 3K and 6K are my favorites – both are the same size (5.5 x 52) with the edge going to the torp to my tastes. The torp shape seems to concentrate the flavors a bit better than the robbie. The rest of the line is also good, but the 2K has some charred notes to me.