The 92-rated Padilla Vintage Reserve cigars are produced in extremely small batches at the famed Oliva factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and make good use of their aged, top-flight tobaccos. On the outside of the Padilla Vintage Reserve cigar, you’ll find a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper. According to Ernesto Padilla, this particular natural broadleaf is expensive, rare, hard to find, and goes through a long fermentation process. The line is called Vintage Reserve because the wrapper and all of the fillers age for at least 36 months.
Padilla told Cigar Aficionado regarding the broadleaf wrapper, “It’s not fully cooked. This is a natural broadleaf. There’s not a lot of it, and working it takes more time.” He went on to say that the sticks are packaged without cellophane because he’s a traditionalist and the broadleaf can handle it.
Cuban seed Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo making up the core blend are held snug by a Nicaraguan Habano binder. These work with the Pennsylvania broadleaf to deliver notes of molasses, black pepper, toffee, and sweetness.
The Padilla Vintage Reserve cigar is a highly complex, medium-full strength cigar that requires your utmost attention to pick up all the flavors and subtleties it has to offer. While smoking cigars is a great opportunity to come together with others, we suggest smoking this one on your own, so you don’t miss a thing.
Please enjoy Padilla Vintage Reserve cigars at your leisure.