First off, let me give a big thanks to the_stogemiester for this cigar ! Also, this is a review based only on my initial impressions of the cigar.

Appearance & Construction - 13/15
This cigar is a 5x50 robusto that has a beautiful Colorado colored wrapper. The wrapper leaf is very smoothe and silky to the touch. It has a beautiful cubanesuqe-cap and a nice looking band. My only qualms are that the band is placed oddly (right in the middle of the cigar) and it's a little too big for me. Still, can't knock much for that.

Smoking Characteristics - 20/25
Again with that amazing cap! It clipped perfectly and had a fine pre-light draw. Upon lighting however, the burn was very erratic for the first inch and needed to be touched up twice. Once it got passed the first inch the burn corrected itslef amazingly well for being as erratic as it was. The draw was perfect and prduced a thick cloud of smoke. The ash is slightly flaky and a nice marble color.

Flavor - 23/25
The cigar has a strong Italian roast, black coffee character. It has notes of wood and pepper and a charred black cherry like sweetness that is very similar to that of the Padron maduro wrapper. It's a good medium bodied smoke and the flavors are complex enough to hold your attention.

Overall Impressions - 31/33
Overall, this is a great cigar. Other than the burn issues I had, this is the best natural wrapped NC cigar I've had in a long, long time (maybe ever). I loved the flavor profile and it had a perfect balance of strength and body. The draw was lush and wonderful. I would love to get a box of them.

Total Score - 87

Im gladded you liked it Smokie, let the Maduro rest a bit before you try that one. By the way, nice review.

Nice review. I like the cap on these too. They are well made.

Thanks guys, it really was a great smoke. I'm gonna have to get a box of these.

I just fired up the one that stogie sent me. All I can say is WOW. I have had a handful of these hybrids in the past but none compare to this one. You were dead on with the description smokie. The black cherry like sweetness is a perfect descriptor. It reminds me of the dried fruit notes that I pickup on some sungrown cigars like the cuesta rey centro fino but its backed up with rich coffee and pepper too. Great cigar! How long have these been in the humi stogi? I might need to get a box after all.

Just had one of these at lunch today that I got in a Cbid sampler, and it was very nice! I'll definitely purchase a few more for the humi.

quote:

Originally posted by pmpimbura:
I just fired up the one that stogie sent me. All I can say is WOW. I have had a handful of these hybrids in the past but none compare to this one. You were dead on with the description smokie. The black cherry like sweetness is a perfect descriptor. It reminds me of the dried fruit notes that I pickup on some sungrown cigars like the cuesta rey centro fino but its backed up with rich coffee and pepper too. Great cigar! How long have these been in the humi stogi? I might need to get a box after all.

That one had about 6-7 months of humi time. I had the last one from that box Sat night when I went out, it was awesome. I have a new box but Im letting it sit along with the Maduro Padillas. Glad you fellas are enjoying them, let that Maduro Padilla sit a couple more months P! It should be good by then.

quote:

Originally posted by pmpimbura:
I just fired up the one that stogie sent me. All I can say is WOW. I have had a handful of these hybrids in the past but none compare to this one. You were dead on with the description smokie. The black cherry like sweetness is a perfect descriptor. It reminds me of the dried fruit notes that I pickup on some sungrown cigars like the cuesta rey centro fino but its backed up with rich coffee and pepper too. Great cigar! How long have these been in the humi stogi? I might need to get a box after all.

Thanks Pmp, freakin awesome aren't they!? I orderd my box last night, with the 2 day shipping they should be here by wednesday . The trick now is going to be not smoking 'em so they can rest. Look what you've done Stoge !

Shoot after that Hybrid was so good I can't wait to smoke the Maduro!

Great review Smokie. These are good smokes. I was a little worried when I got my box because they weren't as good as the samplers that I received from Mr. Padilla himself. However, after a few months, they definately do improve. Now, with about 7 or so months on them, they have come around and are definately worth getting another box.

Eddie

quote:

Originally posted by InfrnalSky:
Great review Smokie. These are good smokes. I was a little worried when I got my box because they weren't as good as the samplers that I received from Mr. Padilla himself. However, after a few months, they definately do improve. Now, with about 7 or so months on them, they have come around and are definately worth getting another box.

Eddie

Thanks . I can't wait for mine to get here. I know I need to let 'em rest but I'm gonna have to light one up this weekend . Oh well, I can always buy more .

My box came in today and the cigars lok great. Pretty cool box too . I've got the smokes resting in my humi but I think I'm gonna have to smoke one before too long!

Hey Guys, I wanted to top this one. I picked up a 5 pack of these based on list suggestions and found this to be a great cigar! Definitely has the flaves that smokie described!

I bought a cbid 5 pack and let it rest a month at 65-70 degrees & RH, and I rotate my stock. I have had burn problems with both of the Hybrids I have fired up; the first one right away, the second one about half way through the cigar. They taste so good that the burn is a minor issue, but I wonder why this is happening on these and not my other 'gars.

Thanks again for the great smoke tips!

I also recived a 5 pack a month ago let them rest a while. I have smoked one, the flavor was spot on but I also had a burn issue in the last 2" but still could not put it down. It seemed really lose at the band. I did enjoy it and will buy more.

Yup, I think a box of these is a definite for my list of 'gars to buy. hopefully I'll have less burn issues witha full box..

Alot of people have problems with cigars from C-bid abd their usually not cigar specific. C-Bid cigars tend to get dried out by what Ive read other members post. If a cigar is dried out to much it can affect the smoke in alot of ways, also the flavors can diminish.

I can say this though, Im on my third box(2boxes of hybrids and a box of Maduro's) of Padillas and they are a great smoke. Ive only had two so far that have burnt uneven but it was so small a defect that it corrected itself.
I would recommend getting a box if you like them. Here are some vendors that carry them.

Atlanticcigar.com

Phatash.com
cigarking.com-these two are higher price but they put them on special everyonce in a while.

I'll check them out, stoge. I haven't had burn problems with a lot of different 'gars from cbid, only some. So i guess i'll have to let them rest a bit more.

I've stayed away from retail cuz I'd rather pay 60 bux for a box of SLR's than 90, but I guess if they are gonna burn like shiot I oughtta buy them somewhere else or age them long enuff to get a good burn.

I bought my box from Cigars International and have been happy with them. So far I'd say I've smoked only half the box but they've all been fine burn-wise. I also heard that Smokeall.com is going to start carrying Padillas so that is another option.

Had a Belicoso the other day, one of the originals sent to me by Ernesto himself when Padilla first became available. What a fantastic smoke... full of nuts and very woody... medium body.

I smoked another yesterday, the burn was perfect, flavor was also on the spot. Dam fine smoke will be geting a box. Anny opinions on the best size?