Back in 2016, Padrón debuted a special pair of birthday blends to celebrate José O. Padrón’s 89th birthday. Known as the Padrón Black PB97, it was offered in a natural and maduro varietal. The (6 x 46) Corona Gorda was released as a Smoke Inn exclusive. It never became a full production cigar though. Seven years later, Padrón showcased a new (6 3/4 x 54) torpedo vitola that the company said would be a one and done release but not exclusive to Smoke Inn this time. Retailers that attended the 2023 PCA Trade Show and placed an order for them would get them exclusively. Like most offerings by the company, it too comes in both a natural and maduro. The cigars are now showing up in shops across the country.
Back in 2016, Padrón debuted a special pair of birthday blends to celebrate José O. Padrón’s 89th birthday. Known as the Padrón Black PB97, it was offered in a natural and maduro varietal. The (6 x 46) Corona Gorda was released as a Smoke Inn exclusive. It never became a full production cigar though. Seven years later, Padrón showcased a new (6 3/4 x 54) torpedo vitola that the company said would be a one and done release but not exclusive to Smoke Inn this time. Retailers that attended the 2023 PCA Trade Show and placed an order for them would get them exclusively. Like most offerings by the company, it too comes in both a natural and maduro. The cigars are now showing up in shops across the country.
Padrón describes the Padrón Black PB97 blends as:
Padrón Black PB97 Natural
- Wrapper: Nicaragua (Natural)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
Padrón Black PB97 Maduro
- Wrapper: Nicaragua (Maduro)
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
100% Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on the Padrón family estates are used in the production of the Nicaraguan puro. The tobaccos have been aged for 10 years or more!
Each blend comes packaged in 10-count boxes and carry an MSRP of $40.00/cigar. By the way, this is when that lounge membership discount may come into play big time.
I purchased one of the Padrón Black PB97 Maduros at one of my local lounges – Smoke Rings 72 – in Merritt Island, FL.
Pre-Light Examination
The Padrón PB97 Maduro Torpedo looks like a nicely constructed vitola. It is a bit larger than most torpedo vitolas on the market. The cigar is cloaked in a lightly toothy, dark brown wrapper that exhibits minimal veins and some rustic bumps along the barrel. The cigar is well packed and has just the right give when pressed gently with the fingers. A well finished torpedo cap completes the construction.
Two bands adorn the cigar. A simplistic, black and gold band is presented that is the is similar to other offerings from the company with the exception of the colors. It presents the company logo in the center and the words “Importado” printed on the left and right of the band. That band is layered on top of another band which gives the illusion of it being a single band until you remove them. The background band, like other premium offers from the company, includes the serial number of the particular cigar. In this case 764711.
Running the Padrón PB97 Maduro Torpedo across the nose I was treated with rich notes of damp hay and spice along the barrel while the foot entices the nose with notes of chocolate cashews.
I sliced the cap at a slight angle cut to open it up just right. The cold draw was spot on with restriction and was ripe with red pepper flake notes, chocolate, and nuts. Ok, let’s start by saying it is not even lit yet and for $40.00 I am already anticipating the treat I am about to enjoy as I sit back and ignore the crazy world around us to get lost in the smoke.
I used my dual flame torch to warm the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first mouth filling puffs of peppery smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Thick and chewy, mouth filling puffs of peppery smoke start the journey
- Cream notes break through after a few puffs
- Light grey ash forms on top of medium thick char line
- The pepper notes tone down after about an inch of burn
- Pleasant sweet spicy aromas waft off the foot
- Dark chocolate notes begin to develop deep in the first third
- Sweetness starts to build in the profile
- Ash fell in a solid chunk revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Continued spice notes
- Sweet caramel aromas add to the pleasure
- Slight wave in the burn develops and needs a touchup
- Sourdough notes join the mix deep in second third
- Spice notes increase in the final with a reemergence of dark chocolate
- Ended at full strength
- Total Smoking time was just shy of two hours
Final Analysis
The Padrón PB97 Maduro Torpedo journey begins with dense and chewy puffs of peppery smoke, filling the mouth with robust flavors. After a few draws, creamy notes emerge. As the cigar burns about an inch, the peppery intensity mellows. Pleasantly sweet and spicy aromas drift from the foot of the cigar. In the first third, deep dark chocolate undertones gradually unfold, complemented by a growing sweetness. The ash holds firm before falling in a solid chunk, revealing a flat but centered burn cone. Spice notes persist throughout, accompanied by enticing sweet caramel aromas that enhance the overall experience. By the second third, subtle sourdough notes join the flavor profile, adding complexity. A slight waviness in the burn necessitates a minor touch-up. As the cigar nears its conclusion, spice notes intensify once more, with a resurgence of dark chocolate flavors, concluding the journey.
Considering the $40.00 price point, I would have expected burn performance to be stellar which was not the case compared to my lifetime experience with Premium Padrón cigars like the 1926 and 1964. The flavors were excellent but burn matters. I am going to take a pass on future purchases on this one. Maybe the Natural performs better. I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slight Wave in Burn; (-1) Flat but centered burn cone; (-1) Requires a touch up midway; (-1) Overpriced
Bonus Points: (+1) Very Pleasant and Balanced Profile
