Padron X000 Series. What the Hell?

[Herf N Turf]

OK, a bit of back story. About a year ago, a BOTL gifted me his "favorite cheap smoke", a Padron 2000 maduro. It sucked. I hated it. The draw was stupidly light; like smoking air. The flavors were bitter and unmarried. I never bought, nor smoked another X000 Series. (I absolute love the anni's).

More recently, another fine BOTL, Rev2010, bombed me a 4000 maduro. The thing was spectacular and not just for the sticker price; it was just a damn good smoke. (Thanks Rev)

So, here I sit, typing away with a frown on my face and a krinkled nose. Why, you ask? Because yesterday I went to my B&M and among other things, bought two 2000's, one of which I am smoking now and guess what? It sucks!

How is this possible, that the same cigar, just in a different vitola can be this dramatically different? Dont get me wrong, I am certainly hip to how vitola does change flavor, but this is like two different universes.

Alright Pad'heads, weigh in on this.

[Jack Straw]

Are they all either natural or maduro? I say this because it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart. The maduro is usually not too much darker than the nat., if at all.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by Jack Straw

Are they all either natural or maduro? I say this because it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart. The maduro is usually not too much darker than the nat., if at all.

I know and for that reason I am always careful to check the box to make sure it says maduro.

[Rubix^3]

I have had similar experiences with the x000's. The first I had was bitter, one-dimensional, and really boring. The 2nd was better than good, and figure in the price, I was impressed. But, I am reluctant to get into them because I have found them inconsistent. I'm too happy with other smokes at similar price ranges.

On another note Don,
Unlike the x000's, I find your avatar's to be consistently offensive.




and awesome.

ok, maybe the same after all.

[Hemingway in Havana]

I regularly smoke the 2K, 3K, 4K, & 5K NAT. I have not tried the maduro wrapper. But I will say that there is definitely a taste diff between the diff sizes. Almost tastes like a new blend from one vitola to another, BUT (to me) they all have that "padron taste" lurking somewhere in the background. There can be consistency issues (usually only in the 2K), but they are a staple for me.

[Nickerson]

Aging may be key.

The one you got bombed was probably aged.

[Tarks]

hmmm. Interesting. I just ordered a 5 pack of the 5000's. Hopefully they are good.

[Plop007]

I love the Padron 2000s natural.

Their awesome. I haven't tried the maduro yet.

[orca99usa]

The first time I tried Padrons I hated them. I decided to try them again about a year later, and now they are among my favorite sticks.

[Patrick B]

I'm also thinking age might be a big factor here. Try a 3000 and see what you think. I like them all, starting with the Londres up to the anny's, but I find they get really good from the 3000 series and up.

[holmes711]

I've had the Padron 2000 and I wasn't impressed either. I need to try a another one in that series to compare.

[Dgar]

Too bad Herf n Terf didnt enjoy the padron. Padrons are and have been a long time favorite of mine, so I'm biased in my opinion, but other than the age of the cigar thats been mentioned, I wonder if humidity may have played a part, a cigar stored at 65 which I think is fine, may taste and burn differently than one stored at say seventy or higher which might be found in a B/M.

I'd give the Padron 0000 series another shot before I gave up on them completley, try em again, you still dont like.... oh well, theres lots of other cigars out there, just may be Padrons arent for you.

[guy g]

It may be the difference in maduro vs natural wrapper. I find the natural better tasting.

[springnr]

I have two boxes of 2000 dog rockets here too.

Same story had one that was good, then ordered some. They have been resting around 5 months so I tried another.... it was worse as now there is a kerosene kick to them.

I'm hoping they come around in a year or so, but from here it looks like a $$$ down the drain.

[Herf N Turf]

Wow! Lots of great responses here. Thanks!

Lets see... I am not abandoning the X000 series. The 4k that Rev2010 sent me was fantastic. I know he keeps his smokes in optimum condition (as do I), but to my knowledge it was not "aged". Curiously, the 4k was rolled tighter and drew everso slightly firmer than the incredibly loose, 2k. My first 2k was a dog rocket and so was my second. I am determined never to smoke another 2k.

Moving on, in my experience, aging a dog rocket, gets you nothing but an old dog rocket. I don't think there is anydamnthing that could be done to this cigar to make it tolerable.

I am happy to read that at least one other BOTL seems to find different flavors throughout the vitolas. I am still shocked at the disparity between the 4k and 2k.

Originally Posted by Rubix^3

On another note Don,

Unlike the x000's, I find your avatar's to be consistently offensive and awesome

Keep watching, brother. You aint seen anything yet.