The Exclusivo size is a bit thinner than the typical corona gorda, and longer than the typical robusto. The smokes are packed with Nicaraguan tobaccos from Jalapa, Condega and Estelí, all of it grown in the open sunlight. Then they are sharply pressed in a distinctive style. In maduro wrapper, the cigar is dark, with that trademark rich Padrón cocoa flavor. The Padróns have never failed to have a cigar in Cigar Aficionado's top five, and have won Cigar of the Year on several occasions. 

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again? Whenever, wherever. Sometimes, as with beer, bourbon, and other craft indulgences, the big names have earned themselves a reputation for a reason. This is clearly the case with Padrón, a brand that is found in nearly every walk-in humidor in the country, and an example that few premium cigar smokers would deny. But because we enthusiasts are on a constant hunt for the latest and greatest, sometimes it takes an act as simple as a slight vitola tweak—thereby making the name new once more—to reintroduce the palate with an old favorite. I must admit, I’d slowly steered my palate towards the 1964 Natural over the years (where I originally preferred Maduro), but the Maduros smoked for review were some of the finest I’ve had from Padrón to date.

While the Maduro was definitely on the strong side, the cigar is still flavor-forward. I’d suggest smoking after dinner and onwards late into the night. It’s expensive, but is well worth every penny, in my opinion.

Maybe the 6 months of rest had something to do with it, but this is how I have always remembered the 1964s I’ve smoked in the past. Something worth that double digit price tag that makes it a special occasion smoke, or a normal occasion cigar for when you can relax uninterrupted to fully enjoy an excellent smoke.

I would safely rate this as a box worthy cigar, provided you can afford to buy a box. Personally, it’s a bit expensive for me to commit to a full box, but if I had the means I’d sock some away and dribble them out into my rotation.