It may not be the most flashy cigar you will see in terms of bands and other additions, but the Black Bear is attractive and appears to have superb construction. The Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper is dark and has a marbled look that is interesting to gawk at. There's a good amount of oil, and only a few minor veins are visible. The cigar also feels very firm to the touch and has no apparent soft spots. The band is intricate and features the Padilla Series ’68 label in maroon, gold, and beige. The pre-light characteristics are very inviting, as there's an aroma of rich chocolate and a cold taste that is sweet.

After lighting the Padilla Black Bear, the cigar exhibits a burn that is rather disappointing. The draw is easy and there’s a nice sweet aroma. The burn is slow and the cigar’s smoking time is well over 90 minutes. Several touch-ups are needed which takes away from being able to enjoy the cigar fully. The light gray ash is flaky.

Flavor is where the Padilla Black Bear shines. In short, it's complex. The cigar kicks off with a combination of tasty chocolate, coffee, and earth. The second third features sweetness and wood. The final third is characterized by mostly chocolate and coffee once again.

It’s a shame that the Black Bear’s burn was subpar. The flavors were superb, so I’m hoping that the one I smoked was just a lemon in the burn department. I’d recommend the Black Bear to anyone looking for a smooth cigar that comes equipped with plenty of flavor. Don’t forget, it’s a large cigar, so make sure you have sufficient time on your hands to enjoy it. A single costs $7, and you can also find it in bundles of 15.

The Padilla Black Bear earns a rating of 3.5 out of four stars.