Padron 45th Anniversary, Maduro

Let me state, that my favorite cigar of all time prior to the release of the 40th Anniversary edition from Padron, was the 1964 Anniversary Imperial Maduro (the sole possible exception is the Cuban Cohiba Siglo VI, though production is so varied, the consistency leaves something to be desired and thus I cannot include it in the pantheon of top-notch smokes save as an addendum). That having been said, upon completion of the lauded 40th my loyalties while constrained within the confines of the heralded Padron facilities altered. I say this because I have never felt the 1926 line matched the complexities or flavor found in the 1964 Imperial, and admit to having some doubts upon learning the heritage of the 40th Anniversary.
Those doubts having been laid to rest, my hopes were high when the new 45th Anniversary was announced.

I was not disappointed.

The 45th is a complex microcosm of flavor. Not being one to wax rhapsodic, it suffices to say it transports the smoker to a happier place and erodes the banalities of daily life.

I noted no fewer than 5 different changes in flavor, with an even burn and a strong ash; clearly a well made cigar from some of their best rollers and presented with the ubiquitous ‘square-ish’ box-press requisite of the top-of-the-line Padrons.

It’s aged enough to reduce the strength, down to a medium to medium-full body, and presents the smoker with a well-balanced smoke… offering more flavor than one might expect from such a toro sized cigar.

I give it a solid 98, reserving the last 2 points for future releases (by any manufacturer) which attempt to dethrone this dynasty.