Sometimes in life, you have to roll up your sleeves and do the hard job that no one else is willing to do. Today, however, is not that day. Could I have picked an underrated gem, or an obscure boutique to review this fine Monday morning? Almost certainly. Instead, I’m going to review one of the highest-rated and most beloved cigars in the industry: Padrón 1964 Anniversary. You see, the holiday season is fast approaching, and with these celebratory times coming up, it’s time for celebratory cigars. So let’s check out ‘64 Anniversary, and I’ll remind you all why this cigar is on every single “best cigars” list that exists. 

If you’ve never experienced Padrón before, here’s a little background for you. Each of the cigars in this highly-esteemed portfolio is a uniquely crafted Nicaraguan puro, synonymous with unrivaled quality and consistent complexity. Or, to put it simply, these cigars are all damn good. Originally released in 1994, the ’64 Anniversary was crafted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Padrón line. Now, we’re approaching sixty years, and the cigar is just as good. 

Like almost all Padróns, the 1964 Anniversary is offered in both a Natural and Maduro wrapper. The Natural is great, don’t get me wrong, but the Maduro has always been the better seller of the two. And I’m a man of the people, so I lit up a Maduro in the “Imperial” 6” x 54 vitola for this review.

I’ll be honest with you — when I cut into this cigar, I was nervous it wasn’t going to be as great as I expected. We’ve all experienced it. The high-end whiskey you splurge for that just isn’t that great, or the restaurant you order the “Chef’s Special” at that ends up being just mediocre. Luckily, that isn’t the case here at all. 

The first few puffs of the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Maduro are incredibly smooth, with sweetness and a dry cocoa background. As the cigar progresses, notes of cedar and thick, dark chocolate join the mix. Through the nose, you get just the slightest hint of black pepper. It’s enough to keep the cigar interesting, without making the spice the main factor. This is a cigar that absolutely screams to be paired up with some bourbon or scotch, so if you have a bottle you’ve been saving, lighting up a Padrón is the perfect opportunity to crack it open. As the cigar comes to its conclusion, the only disappointment I have is that this experience is over. Each draw off this cigar is effortless, flavorful, and immensely satisfying. 

What else is there to say? Padrón 1964 Anniversary lives up to the hype, and then some. If you want to experience the best that premium cigars have to offer, look no further. Sure, the price isn’t the most appealing, but I promise you it’s worth every single penny.