The Padron Black has been associated with limited edition since its release in 2016 for Jose Padron’s 89th Birthday that was released exclusively to Smoke Inn in South Florida. The cigar additionally saw distribution as a one time exclusive for the TAA as well as part of a sampler pack to benefit Cigar Rights of America.
In 2023, Padron made the cigar available for retailers that were in attendance at the PCA Trade Show in Las Vegas. The production level wasn’t announced but the company made enough to cover the amount of orders taken at the show.
Available as a Natural & Maduro the cigar is offered in only one vitola.
Cigar Review: Pardon Black PB97
Size: 6.75 x 54 (Torpedo)
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Release Date: March 2024
Box Count: 10
The Cigar: Packaged in 10 count boxes with two rows of 5, the band is similar of the core line production with the exception of the colors. Instead of brown and white, the band colors are black and yellow. Additionally, the cigar has the secondary counterfeit resistant band. The wrapper of the cigar is quite ugly with some notable veins, seams and the lack of color uniformity. In the hand there are no voids of tobacco though it feels exceptionally light.
The Taste: The cold draw serves up incredible notes of cream, vanilla, graham crackers and a subtle cinnamon which is mimicked exquisitely on the aroma from the foot. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there is an abundance of earth and pepper with the latter catching me off guard as I don’t usually find Padron cigars to be pepper bombs.
Moving into the first third the pepper begins to calm down after a half-inch with notes of vanilla and graham developing over a canvas of cedar. Keep an ashtray handy as the ash isn’t strong on most Padron cigars and this one is no exception. After we lose the ash around an inch in some lemongrass begins to develop along with some graham cracker and mocha sweetness especially on the finish and resting aroma.
The second third sees mocha notes become dominant with background notes of cedar, graham and earth. Pepper remains on the retrohale though it is not as strong as it was when the cigar was first lit. At this point there is a pile of ash at my feet as the ash seems to drop every 1/4-1/2 inch.
The final third of the Padron Black PB97 is spicy, but not overpoweringly so. There are notes of mocha, cedar, red pepper and a subtle cinnamon over a canvas of earth. The retrohale adds some nuttiness for the first time.
Conclusion: My biggest knock on Padron cigars is how fast the experience is and in the case of PB97 it seems faster than normal for a Padron. The cigar feels under filled due to its weight and fast smoking experience. I just can’t help but wonder how this cigar would have tasted and smoked if it was box pressed or rolled as a 52 ring instead. According to Jorge Padron the cigar is a cross between the Series 1926 and Family Reserve though I rather smoke one of those at a lower price point than the Padron Black.
Score: 93
Price: $40.00 (Before any local or state taxes)
