Padron 1926 Serie, torpedo Review

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

TASTING NOTES: The Padrón quality control folks must be surely working overtime while creating this masterpiece. This milk-chocolate-looking torpedo is perfectly square pressed, with a silky smooth wrapper sporting nearly non-existent veins.

I take the cigar up and roll it about in my fingers, the cigar is firm and upon closer scrutiny is slightly fluted as it extends toward a generous foot. I continue to poke and prod, and flip and roll the stick, looking for an imperfection that does not materialize. I doubt there is a finer looking cigar specimen anywhere.

Upon putting it to my nose for a whiff, I can only barely detect a scent, a pleasantly earthy tone completes the expectation phase. Torch time!

I realize, during the light, that I am anxious to get this cigar lit, so I patiently back the lighter flame further away from the foot, teasing and caressing the cigar to life.

The first few puffs are rich and rewarding. This cigar not only looks like a chocolate bar, but there is a sweetness that exists at the outset, accompanied by billows of rich blue-gray smoke.

The ash is almost as smooth and silky as the wrapper and looks like it will hold on forever, but I tap it off at the 1-inch mark, in spite of myself. I want to take a peek at the construction. The ash falls revealing a conical ember, indicating that the wrapper is burning slightly ahead of the filler. Nevertheless. the burn is straight and there is only the suggestion of a blistering at the edges of the burn. Meanwhile, the flavor of roast coffee bursts forth and the wrapper gives out its wealth of oils and glistens. The flavors lean long and complex on my palate. I can’t help but grin, satisfied with myself for picking this stick to smoke tonight.

I have smoked several of the cigars from this batch, though this is only the second that I have reviewed. This is not a cigar that you can smoke along with others in a multi-cigar evening. I have found that smoking any other cigar beforehand, does not allow my palate to fully enjoy the complexities of the anni, while smoking any cigar afterwards diminishes the enjoyment since they cannot possibly match the Serie 1926. Like eating a hot dog after filet mignon.

As I reach the midway point and beyond, the flavors become deeper and richer, coating my tongue with toasted coffee and nuts. Now I’m worried though, I’m getting close to the end and I realize that “all this must end” sometime.

By way of comparison, the last stick I rated from this batch was great, but this stick, with another 3 months of age, burned even better than the last. Will it continue to improve with more aging? I’ll let you know in another 3 months.

Doc

[RPB67]

The 1926 #9.

This is a great cigar. I think its better than an Anejo.

The construction,consistency and burn are usually flawless. Thanks for the great review.

[palm55]

The torpedo is my favorite! And you've managed to max out my hit list!!!

Thanks for the review!!!

[Poriggity]

Now Im itching to try the one I have in my humi waiting, as well as the PSD4 I have... damn
Scott

[Jason Love III]

Very nice review for a very nice cigar. I've only had the #9 and I agree completely with your "sweetness that exists at the outset" comment. It was great!

[3x5card]

Fabulous review! The #9 is one of two sizes in the Serie 1926 I have yet to try. The other being the honking big one.

I fully agree that a cigar of this caliber needs its own time and space to enjoy. Prior, for the anticipation and cleansing. Post, for basking in the afterglow. Like you, I find that they don't smell like much prelight. Mostly I get dirt and cedar. But once combustion is underway, wow!

Well done, Doc.

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by RPB67

The 1926 #9.

This is a great cigar. I think its better than an Anejo.

The construction,consistency and burn are usually flawless. Thanks for the great review.

Richard, you are usually more in-the-know on super premium cigars than I; however I am pretty certain the Padrón 1926 #2 is the 5.5x52 Belicoso and the Padrón 1926 #9 is sort of a magnum at 5.25x56.

The Belicoso vitola with the natural wrapper is in my opinion the best size in the whole Padrón 1926 line.

-Matt-