I have had a chance to sample just two of the padilla cigars. The habano and the 1932 signature. Both were good but I found the Habano to be great. It had a firm draw with lots of rich smoke. The flavor was rich and robust. It did actually remind me of some CC's I've had. When reading recently about the fact that Padilla and Pepin have parted ways, I'm concerned with this blend. I think its a perfect blended cigar. Balance, rich and complex. But now that Pepin isnt making them anymore how will the blend change. Does anyone have any good information on this.
Posts: 430 | Location: uniontown , PA | Registered: August 06, 2007
I spoke with Ernesto briefly a few weeks ago. He wasn't very forthcoming which leads me to believe that it will probably be some time before the first cigars start to flow out of the new factory.
As for the blends, well, I guess they can be replicated. Bear in mind that the Habano and the Series '68 were not blended by, nor ever made by, Pepin.
Yeah, Oliva used to make the Habano but it's now made in the same factory in Nicaragua as the Series '68. I don't remember the name but it's not a famous factory like Oliva.
Then there's the Hybrid and Maduro which are made in the DR. I don't think Ernesto ever said who makes it for him but once again, I don't think it was a famous name. I haven't seen these around in awhile but CI seems to still have them for sale. Whether or not they're selling off old stock or still having them made, I don't know.
just tried to send you an email. it didnt take. didnt want a whole conversation on the forum. But anyway, are you a Padilla fan. You seem informed. I was just on the site they have and saw the new bands and the lines. I guess they are not planning to continue the 68 and 32's huh? I see they have the miami. Didnt Pepin's factory make that one? How will that change that blend. So Oliva did make the Habano but someone else is going to make it now? Am I getting that correct? Are they going to continue with the same tobacco or is it going to be different now. I hope not. It will suck to fall in love with a cigar just to find out that that blend wont be made anymore.
Posts: 430 | Location: uniontown , PA | Registered: August 06, 2007
Originally posted by sptcigars: I was just on the site they have and saw the new bands and the lines.
Those are the old lines. Padilla hasn't updated their site in a few years.
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I guess they are not planning to continue the 68 and 32's huh?
On that one, your guess is as good as mine. Search CA -- they did a story on the split with Pepin but Ernesto wouldn't say for sure what his product plans were.
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Didnt Pepin's factory make that one? How will that change that blend.
Theoretically, provided Pepin provides Padilla with his "recipe," they should be able to duplicate the cigar exactly. Of course, Pepin won't be training the rollers and if the blend needs to be adjusted for some reason (shortage of a particular leaf, for example) then the blend is at the mercy of whoever assumes that duty.
quote:
So Oliva did make the Habano but someone else is going to make it now? Am I getting that correct? Are they going to continue with the same tobacco or is it going to be different now.
It was some time ago (last year, I think) that production shifted from Oliva to the new factory. What's out there now is probably from the new factory. Supposedly Oliva provided the new factory with the blend details.
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It will suck to fall in love with a cigar just to find out that that blend wont be made anymore.
Well, that's how I feel. I hate to be a pessimist but I just don't think the Miami, 1932 and 1948 will be the same without Pepin. But the Habano, Maduro and Hybrid should continue on as before since production is staying where it's at.
My prediction? Ernesto will use this opportunity to revamp his line with new blends to replace the Pepin-made stuff.
I wanted to give you some in formation on the Padilla brands. Padilla series 68 wich received a 93 rateing in Cigar Aficionado was NEVER made by Pepin.
The Oliva family made the Habano- It was NEVER made by Pepin. The Habano is made in Nicaragua by a great blender named Abdel Fernandez who like my self is a close friend with the Oliva family. The Oliva family are close friends of Padilla cigars they have grown by leaps and bounds since we began makeing our Habano with them. Abdel Fernandez and myself have used the same formula to create the Padilla Habano.
Padilla cigars has NOW secured a location on 8th street in the heart of Miami's Little Havana. We will be makeing some of our cigars in that factory. The New Padilla Miami factory will also feature a cigar lounge area for our customers and small retail of our products. We hope to be open by late summer early fall. We will have a grand -opening and you will here more about the upcoming factory here from Cigar Aficionado. Production will be of top-quality using only Cuban rollers and premium Cuban-seed tobaccos.
I hope this helps explain some of your questions.
All the best, Ernesto Padilla Padilla cigars
Posts: 70 | Location: Miami | Registered: April 02, 2004
Awesome, I really glad to hear that. I just bought a box and received it. That day I just had to have one and it was truely fantastic. A lot of people on this forum will say how great a cigar is for being non cuban. I have had some experience with smoking cuban cigars and there are some that are great and some not so great. With my palate, what I am looking for in a great cigar, this padilla has it. NC, CC.. doesnt matter. In the cigar world of taste and aroma and of course personal choice, there are cigars that are good and then ones not so good. I'm really relieved to hear that the blend will not be affected by the pepin split since he had nothing to do with this cigar. I will be looking for more boxes of these as I think they are a truely great cigar.
Posts: 430 | Location: uniontown , PA | Registered: August 06, 2007
I saw that CI had 20 Padilla Obsidions for 49.95 with free shipping. Ive heard good things about these....is this a good deal and are they a good smoke?
Originally posted by thelastbill: Sorta off topic....
I saw that CI had 20 Padilla Obsidions for 49.95 with free shipping. Ive heard good things about these....is this a good deal and are they a good smoke?
They're made exclusively for CI. That's not necessarily a good sign. Typically, a manufacturer like Padilla or Ghurka with a hot, upscale brand name that sells their cigars for big bucks in B&M stores will create a (lower quality, price-centric) brand like this for the catalogs. The thinking is that "luxury" buyers don't shop the catalogs so they won't see the crap and it won't dilute the brand image. And catalog shoppers are primarily discount shoppers who would never buy a $12 Padilla anyway so might as well get a piece of that market since there's little overlap.
Bottom line: might be worth a try, but don't expect miracles. If $50 is nothing to you, then go for it. But if $50 is a lot of money to you, then you'd be better off sprining for five $10 first-rate Padillas than 20 possibly junky ones.
that is mostly my budget for cigars until I pay off a few things. I will still buy a couple from my b&m just to try out the other blends for the experience factor.
Sometimes, you can find "real deal" Pepins on CI's Joe Cigar. Awhile back, they were doing 20-packs with five each of Miami, 1932, Series '68 and 1948 for something like $50. That's a deal worth waiting for. You might also try www.cbid.com -- they seem to have Padilla's top-shelf stuff on there fairly regularly. Something tells me you could get a lot better smoking for your $50 on there.
the padilla 68 series is great and not blended by DPG.
"Cuban seed tobaccos grown in Nicaragua and Cuba. The wrapper would be from Cuba. The binder leaves would be from Nicaragua. For the ligero tobacco in the filler, he would use two types, one from Esteli and the other from Jalapa in Nicaragua. The other filler components, seco and viso, would come from Cuba, the former from Villa Clara, the latter from Pinar del Rio. That Cigar, he says with pride, would score 100 points." -Don Pepin Garcia
Posts: 1001 | Location: Here | Registered: December 11, 2006
