The Padilla cigar company was started back in 2003, and grew quickly into a point of prominence among cigar lovers. Their Signature 1932 Churchill is their flagship cigar, and it showed with the 90 rating they received from Cigar Aficionado. It only took them 3 years to achieve this rating, which is definitely a sign that they make a very high quality cigar. If you’re looking to find a great Churchill with strong, earthy flavors, than this may be what you should put in your humidor.

The Padilla Signature 1932 is made from Nicaraguan Criollo and Corojo tobacco. The wide use of the Corojo wrapper can be traced to Padilla cigars. It’s a darker wrapper, very leathery looking, but a nice oily sheen from head to foot. You may notice a bit of a fruity bouquet, which is a good way to start this cigar. The band is an ornate red, brown, and gold.

The Signature 1932 Churchill is large, so it’ll give you a good hour and a half before you’ll nub it. The draw is free, and the taste will start out earthy, with wood, spice, and leathery notes. The Criollo gives it some sweeter notes, such as coffee, nuts and chocolate, which are mostly prominent throughout the second third. The Signature has a great burn, so you won’t find yourself having to touch it up and relight, and you’ll have a rich, full smoke. The ash is tight and compact, as well.

By about the time you nub this cigar, you should feel the cigar shift notes, leaving you with a nice, heavy, woody flavor, and not taste the leathery taste that remained through all the notes. The palate shifts as you finish the final third, from a very crisp feeling in the beginning, you’ll end it slow and heavier. The Padilla Signature 1932 slows to the finish, rather than an abrupt ending.

It’s a great cigar, which shows in the few years it took to run to the top, being named one of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of the year for 2006. Since it is a bit more expensive, it may not become a favorite to smoke, but it’s definitely something you’ll find yourself keeping in your humidor for special occasions.

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