Flavor-wise, the Padilla Series '68 is not bad at all. It begins with a sweet flavor that offers a hint of fruit. Earth and coffee also come into play in the first third. The next third kicks things up big time with a surge of spiciness. It's powerful, but not extreme. More earth is also recognized at this stage. The final third is defined by even more spice and some sweetness. In terms of strength, the Series '68 is medium to full-bodied, just as advertised.

When all is said and done, the Padilla Series ’68 is a quality cigar.  It’s not the best I have ever had, but it does have its strong points.  I’d recommend it to puro fans or those who want something with a bit of strength but also flavorful.  The Padilla Series ’68 sells for around $6 per single.  That’s a fair price in my book.  Since it does have some strength, I’d label it more as a cigar for experienced smokers than beginners.

The Padilla Series ’68 earns a rating of 3.5 out of four stars.

La Palina Classic Toro

When it comes to cigars I’ve sampled in the past, I don’t have a ton of experience with La Palina, but the few that I have had left a solid impression.  The Classic line is said to be smooth and flavorful.  These cigars are more on the boutique end, so they aren’t too cheap, but I decided to go ahead and give one of the line’s Toro offerings a try.  Let’s see if I get my money’s worth.

The La Palina Classic measures 6 x 50. There are also other sizes within the Classic line: the 5 x 52 Robusto, 6 x 60 Gordo, and 6 1/8 x 52 Torpedo. The La Palina Classic has a filler that is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. It also has an Ecuadorian binder and a Brazilian wrapper that finishes the exotic blend of tobaccos from various countries. The cigar is deemed to be medium-bodied in strength.