As Padrón President Jorge Padrón explains, his company’s cigars are unlike many others in the industry because they don’t spend time in an aging room after they’re made; instead, all the aging is done prior to the rolling process. It’s an unorthodox method, to be sure, but it’s one that’s worked wonders for the company, as its cigar lines have been the most acclaimed in recent times by critics and magazines alike. In 2019, Cigar Aficionado ranked this stick — the Padrón Serie 1926 No. 6 in a Natural variation — second-best cigar of the year, according it a 95 rating.
A “puro” Nicaraguan smoke, the 1926 No. 6 Natural makes use of a selection of some of the oldest wrapper, binder and filler tobaccos in Padrón’s inventory. Medium-to-full-strength, Robusto-sized and box-pressed, the No. 6 Natural is the embodiment of everything Padrón is known for — richness, complexity, body, balance and, of course, consistency.
The No. 6 smokes wonderfully, proffering distinct layers of earth, spices, nougat, dried black cherry, espresso beans and Padrón’s signature flavor of cocoa. The burn is perfect, the draw is lush and the smoke is thick and abundant.
The Serie 1926 is named after the birth year of legendary company founder José Orlando Padrón, who passed away at the age of 91 in 2017. Critics have called the No. 6 a smoker’s cigar, and if José was still here among us, he’d likely be inclined to agree.