Padron 3000 Review

[rjs]

big_bish,

The cognac is Louis XIII. It comes in a crystal carafe. I had the glasses engraved to commemorate the occasion and those who were there.

I started sampling various brands and qualities of cognac about 4 months before our millennium smokeout. I didn't know anything about cognac and still don't for the most part. I just know what I like, which is why I started sampling various brands. I wanted to have some appreciation for the liquid gold that we'd be drinking.

At our cost, we figured each glass was about $75. That's still a lot of money. Was it worth $75 per glass? From a common sense and monetary value standpoint, probably not (Is cigar smoking?). But we didn't buy the Louis XIII because it was a good value. We weren't trying to save money.

We bought the Louis XIII because we knew that we would probably never buy another bottle again. We meant the experience to be a once in a lifetime (or at least a long time) experience.

In my limited experience, I have never tasted another cognac like Louis XIII. So smooth. So light. Almost effervescent. This cognac nearly evaporates in your mouth. It was great.

Many of the great moments in life are spontaneous and unexpected. Sometimes, not always, you can create the circumstances that make a memorable event. The risk is having an experience that is too contrived. But if you're fortunate, sometimes a great setting can play host to a great experiences.

Your time will come.... rjs

[rjs]

DUFFER,

I agree. There's definitely some Anniversaio heritage in the 3000's, especially the maduros. That makes them taste all the better.

... rjs

[rkt]

I stand corrected. Thanks rjs for the review.
Most bars(at least around here) do not even stock that cognac.
This particular cigar bar has just about any top label liquor.
It seems their "bar" brands are medium to top brands at most bars. I talked with them and if we ever have a Big Smoke here they said they could work out an event for us.

I read an interview with Jorge Padron and he said that the tobacco used on the Anniversarios is from the same fields but is definitely the cream of the crop. Let's hope they mix in some Anniv. stuff with the regular and not the other way around.

[rjs]

rkt,

Sounds good. KC might be a good central spot as is Chicago. Would we have a higher attendance if the location were more central? LLGs, sound off!

... rjs

[big_bish]

I could do KC much easier that Las Vegas. It all depends on what weekend it falls on though. From the looks of it, my summer is lining up to be quite busy.

I'm going to work 40+ hours a week, I have a couple fishing trips lined up, I'm going to job shadow and Air Force pilot at a yet unannounced air base, and I'm planning a couple of weekend camping trips.

gosh I can't wait till summer.

big_bish

[BJ]

Just one question......Where is KC? I'm racking my brain trying to think of it but nothing rings a bell! A little help please?!

BJ

The suggested retail for a 3000, not including any state taxes, is $3.85. If you can get them for $3.00 then you should keep going to that place. That's a good price.

But our taxes out here aren't so bad, 20% and 7 3/4% sales tax. Go to CA where it's like 60% and buy cigars. That's high....

What could be more central to KC and Chicago than St. Louis. Home of the 2000 Superbowl Rams, 2001 Stanley Cup Blues and 2001 World Series champion Cardinals. Great Cigar Bar Restaurant called Porters. Just a thought!

BJZim

Vermont is around 46%, I think (tobacco tax). 5% sales tax. —J.J.

[rjs]

BJ,

KC=Kansas City. There is Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.

rkt can give you the details.

... rjs

[BJ]

Oh now I get it! Thanks for the help rjs! You might see me and you might not, we shall see!

BJ

[rkt]

I finally did it, I smoked one of my 3000's. My friend and I celebrated our birthdays Saturday evening at the steakhouse with the cigar bar I have mentioned before. We started with before dinner drinks at my house(my wife didn't have one and drove). We had a wonderful aged 16oz KC Srip while listening to live jazz. We were going to move to the cigar bar two floors up but they were having a private party. BUT, we found that the regular bar is cigar friendly so we went there.

The 3000 was full and firm. I fired it with my volcano lighter. It took a little longer to light than normal or maybe I was just being patient... Once gray I let it rest just a bit before drawing. Perfect draw and it would only smoke when drawn. It was smooth and full rich smoke. About a half inch into it, it developed more flavor. I was not super analysing the smoke, just enjoying it and friends and a Maker's Mark Manhattan. It being a natural I would give a good B+ rating. I would not say the best I ever smoked but far from the worst. I would like to try a maduro. I tend to like them better. I practically burned my fingers and it was still smooth. It had been resting in the humi since before Thanksgiving. I would definitely buy it again.

Now if you are still reading... A lady about ~50 was also celebrating her birthday with a friend. She was tying one on.
She sat next to my wife. At first a little annoying but after a while she was a hoot. She had everyone laughing. She was having a good time, I just wouldn't want to be around in the morning. She was buying us drinks(we told her not to do it) but you can't argue with a drunk. Since I had two fresh Manhattans setting in front of me and half of my second one still there too, and my 3000 down to the nub I decided to fire up and Indian Tobacc Reserve maduro robusto.(I will start a new thread for its review) She started telling us about her trip to Jamaica and the Cuban cigars they had, that she had smoked the hard to find Monte #2. She asked if I had smoked a Cuban. I told her that I had. Blah, blah, blah she rambled on getting funnier as the evening passed. She told us that since we were celebrating our birthdays she wanted to buy us a Cuban. We told her not to do that but she insisted that she "wanted" to. So off she went upstairs. We told her husband that the drinks were more than generous and he should go stop her. He said it was her night and her money he was there to drive her home. So, down the stairs she came, laughing loudly. The bar was pretty much empty(about a dozen left) when she came over an handed me a Monte #2. The one she got for my friend, she started dancing around with and singing, I guess she thought she was in Vaudeville(it was funny). Anyway she ended up breaking it. Ooh boohoo, seeing that beautiful smoke unraveling. Well, I think her husband had thought about time to go so he went to get the car. It was about 11:30 then. I finished my Indian Tobacc and we went home. So now I have a Monte #2 taking a ceder nap. A pretty good birthday present if you as me. Maybe it will be ready to smoke next year or maybe two.

[apostle23]