Cigar number two of this three-part series was the Padron 1926 serie 80th year maduro.

This particular example came from a three-year old box. In looking over old tasting notes, I see no appreciable change in the cigar from new. At most, perhaps it has mellowed a bit.

The great thing with Padron is you know exactly what you will be getting. All Padrons have a family look, feel, and taste. Everything about the cigar is dominated by the sun-grown wrapper that Padron grows. The regular series ("thousand") will be a bit rustic-appearing and occasionally a bit loose. The more expensive regular series will seem to be just a bit better the least expensive. (Smoke a Magnum and a 2000 if you don't believe me.) The 1964 serie will look better and smoke better than the regular series. The 1926 serie will look better and smoke better than the 1964 series. Then there are various special Padrons - the 40th, the 80th, the Family Reserve, etc.

This 80th had a flawless sun-grown maduro wrapper, flawless construction, and a perfect draw. In smoking, there was no doubt this was a Padron, just like all other Padrons, but it was better. Complexity was in abundance with each third being almost a new (Padron) cigar. The cigar demanded one's attention.

In comparing the 80th to the BHK, both had almost flawless presentation and construction. The BHK was a little light (and thus a bit harsh) in the last third so the 80th had a very slight edge in the smoking department. On the other hand, the 80th is, well, a Padron. A really, really, really good Padron, but it is what it is.

Put it this way: The 80th was a better cigar than the BHK. However, I suspect Padron could make a better cigar if they had Cohiba's tobacco.