Cigar Reveal #123


S&T ID #123
Brand

Padilla

Cigar

Finest Hour Oscuro

Wrapper Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder
Nicaragua
Filler
Honduras and Nicaragua
Retail Price $8.50
Tasting Notes

peppered-steak, cinnamon, milk chocolate, oak, and a natural creamy sweetness

Description

From Illusione's Dion Giolito's conspiracy branding to Robert Caldwell's Eastern European vibes, there are certainly plenty of interesting characters in the cigar industry, but the last twenty years Ernesto Padilla has been making the case for that top spot. His cigar journey has been a winding road of conflict, passion, drama and wonderful tobacco. It could be argued that the lack of consistency has often hindered Padilla from truly being a household name in the industry, but despite this, his outstanding cigars have been the one thing that has remained through the years. Here's a brief rundown... In 2005 Padilla cigars were made by upstart Pepin Garcia (My Father Cigars) in the small El Rey de los Habana factory in Miami. A few years later they had a falling out and Padilla took his cigars to Raices Cubana in Honduras in 2011. A year later he moved production back to Miami, this time to El Titan de Bronze, where he had worked on small projects before. And finally... *today*, the bulk of his cigars are made by AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua. As what may be the case here, truly talented people can be difficult to work with, but it's hard to argue with the final result.

Review #1 Cigar Aficionado
Review #1 Content

Wrapped in a dark, spotty cover leaf, this robusto draws and burns evenly, delivering a sweet, toasty smoke buttressed by notes of earth and peanut that lead to an anise finish.

Review #2 Blind Man's Puff
Review #2 Content
I really enjoyed this cigar, specifically the way it evolved. It was like a meal, starting with a smoky, peppered steak and ending with a warm cinnamon-dusted butter cake. This could easily become a daily smoke for me depending on price point.