While the Padron family can trace its cigar business history back over 125 years, it’s current incarnation is only 46 years old. Coming from a family known for growing top quality tobacco, Jose Padron set up a cigar shop in Miami in 1964. Using tobacco grown from a Nicaraguan plantation, Padron Cigars have slowly made inroads into American cigar culture and are finally being recognized for the fine, hand rolled cigars they produce. One of their most popular cigars, the Padron 3000 Maduro, has experienced an increased level of popularity within the last few years.

While the Padron 3000 is no Cohiba or Davidoff to look at, it is still quite the stellar cigar. Sometimes, the actual physical characteristics of the cigar can vary, with some having more pronounced veins visible on the wrapper and others being a little rougher in construction, but considering these cigars are hand rolled, this is to be expected. It is 5 ½ inches long and has a 52 ring gauge. The wrapper, filler and blender are all Nicaraguan. Some of the cigars do have an oily appearance depending on the specific wrapper used, but overall, the level of quality is high for a cigar in this price range.

The size of the Padron 3000 dictates around a 30-40 minutes of smoke time, more than enough to enjoy the fine aromas of this cigar. Once lit, this cigar fills the room with a rich, almost coffee like aroma that continues on throughout the whole burn. The first few puffs can be a little rough, with an almost burnt flavor, but as time goes on, the harshness subsides and strong cocoa and coffee aromas can be tasted. Unlike some higher priced cigars, you can tell that there are various subtle aromas present, but they are not that easily discernible. After the first few minutes, this cigar continues to draw smoothly until you get past the last third, when the smoking pleasure decreases a little and the aromas are less present.

For the price point, the Padron 3000 can’t be beat. This is a fantastic cigar for when your non cigar-smoking friends come over and are looking for something to try. It is very cost effective, coming in at under $5 per cigar, but offers a smoking experience that one would expect from a much higher priced brand. While the Padron 3000 is no Cohiba, it is definitely worth keeping in your humidor.

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