Short story: My Padron 5000 maduros have a muted flavor. I'm looking for possible reasons. Read below for the longer version. If its storage issues, I simply won't order from the vendor any longer. If this happens every now and again, that knowledge would be equally appreciated.

Thanks.

I recently purchased a box of Padron 5000 maduros online. It was my first box purchase as I usually hit the Famous Smokes 5 pack frenzy for my 5000's.

When they arrived, I opened the package and a strong smell of stale smoke came out. There obviously wasn't any smoke, it just smelled like it.

When I opened the Padron box, the normal scent was there, just muted. I figured they needed time to sit or my senses were still poluted from the nasty stale smoke smell.

Anyway, about a month later, I've had 3 from the box. They still taste "similar" to a Padron 5000, but the flavor is VERY muted.

Anyone know a reason this may be? The online vendor is well know and from my understanding respectable. If these were Cubans, I'd swear they were fakes.

Any ideas?

Did the box have a dated piece of paper inside? What was the date?

I don't recall seeing a piece of paper inside the box. I thought I saw a date stamp at the bottom, but I just checked again and it was the box of Don Pepin Blacks that has a date of April 2008.

The dated paper is under the bottom row of cigars and is very small.

FSS is a great shop. If you feel the need, tell them you would like to return your box and get a replacement.

It wasn't Famous. I just wanted to make that clear. Every order I've received from Famous over the last two years has been excellent.

This is another well know retailer who I didn't want to disclose as it may not be their fault. This was my first order from them.

IMHO, I feel the lower end Padron line has been in decline ever since they introduced the Anniversario lines. A few years ago, Padron was my favorite smoke, now I only buy the 1926 or 1964 lines.

quote:

When they arrived, I opened the package and a strong smell of stale smoke came out. There obviously wasn't any smoke, it just smelled like it.

When I opened the Padron box, the normal scent was there, just muted. I figured they needed time to sit or my senses were still poluted from the nasty stale smoke smell.

It sounds to me like a storage issue prior to shipment. If the package had a strong stale smoke smell its likely that the packaging materials and environment are exposed to cigar smoke before or during packaging. I would hate to think the cigars also are exposed before shipping but its possible. Either way, the cigars have been affected by the smell by the time you received them.

I would contact the retailer and ask for a replacement.

If you bought them from a reputable dealer just take them back.
You should not have any problems.

I had a Padron 5000 Maduro last week. I thought it tasted like crap. I bought it from my local B$M. I think they are declining to much emphasis's in the other lines.