Padrón 60th Anniversary Staff Review
When the first shipments of Padrón 60th Anniversary cigars began trickling in, they flew off the shelves in our humidor. This impressive Salomon has become an even hotter commodity since the critics at Cigar Aficionado bestowed their prestigious ‘Cigar of the Year’ honors upon it, marking the fifth such title for the Padrón brand. I’m savoring this blend in a Natural wrapper leaf for today’s review. Padrón has released several legendary cigars to commemorate significant milestones over its sixty-year history, and the 60th Anniversary stands out as one of the best.
If you’ve had the chance to smoke other coveted Padrón Anniversary cigars, like the 40th, 50th, and 80 Years, Padrón 60th is in the same class but shows off distinctive hallmarks. First, it’s rolled into a round shape rather than the brand’s famous box-pressed format. Because it’s a Salomon, the shape gently tapers from a 56-ring gauge at its thickest point to a 48-ring gauge at its thinnest. This visually striking shape is an incredibly difficult cigar to roll, requiring the talents of the most skilled cigar rollers, who patiently produce them in small batches at the Padrón factory in Nicaragua.
The packaging is among the most elaborate the company has designed for its anniversary series. Padrón 60th cigars come in stunning boxes of ten with a brown piano-gloss finish. Each cigar is secured in its own shiny, gold coffin. Retailing for $75 apiece, there’s no question this is a cigar you’ll want to save for a special occasion. With raised expectations, I select a coffin from a newly opened box and extract the cigar inside from its cellophane sleeve.
The 60th exudes a luxurious aroma of chocolate, cedar, and leather. A pair of stately, white-and-brown cigar bands with gold accents surrounds the cigar. Padrón fans will relish the ritual of choosing and opening up one of these rarities. After clipping the cap and savoring the cold draw, luscious notes of chocolate layer the palate with hints of nuts, wood, and spice.
Due to the cigar’s bulbous stature, the initial draws are compressed as I toast the tip of the foot. Lighting a Perfecto requires patience. Don’t expect big wafts of smoke to pour out from either end of the cigar in the beginning. A Salomon burns for several minutes before you reach the thickest point of the cigar when the draw fully opens, but that’s intentional. Smoke this large Figurado slowly. Silky notes of cocoa powder, cedar, and walnut gradually come into focus.
The airflow increases after twenty minutes while I gently hit the foot a few more times with my torch lighter. Intense notes of black pepper resonate when I push the smoke out through my nose. As they fade, an undercurrent of molasses and cocoa continues. Padrón 60th Anniversary is full of subtle nuances. Hints of cayenne, nutmeg, and cinnamon recall tasting notes you’ll encounter in other classic Padrón cigars. Pair this cigar with a vintage Scotch to fully savor its intricate taste.
As the second half unfolds, a steady climax of coffee bean and molasses layers the palate. Malty notes of cocoa powder and cappuccino froth gather in the final phase after I’ve removed the cigar bands. The finish is pure perfection, taking the cigar forty minutes past an hour before it gracefully expires.
Brand founder José Orlando Padrón opened his first cigar factory in 1964 in Miami, following the Cuban revolution, when Fidel Castro confiscated his family’s tobacco farms. What began as a humble operation has blossomed into one of the world’s leading cigar brands over the past six decades. Put Padrón 60th Anniversary on your radar and don’t hesitate to purchase one when they’re in stock. Considered one of the best new cigars from 2024, when the 60th debuted, the critics have anointed it as their top pick for 2025, too.
