Ernesto Padilla created the Padilla cigars in 2003. His father Heberto Padilla was a candid poet who with his wife Belkis Cuza Male supported Fidel Castro for overthrowing Baptista a dictator in Cuba. However, they both noticed that Fidel Castro would use his poetry writings for propaganda and it was then their opinion about him and his ambitions for the country began to change. Heberto had won an award known as the Julian del Casal prize; this was a great honor, however some of the comments which were aimed at Castro’s regime were inflammatory and these got him into serious trouble for he was put under house arrest and later send to prison together with his wife where they were tortured. Herbeto later signed a self criticism of his book after being forced to do so which he turned on them. This event was known as the Padilla Affair. It was only when Ernesto was born that Senator Ted Kennedy helped in the release of Heberto and his wife and facilitated their immigration to the United States. It was there, that he began to teach at the Princeton University and continued to do so for many years.

Ernesto Padilla has so far created a many varieties of brands. He met with master blender Don Pepin Garcia to create a Nicaraguan blend; he also utilized Oliva to create the Padilla Habano in Nicaragua. He currently has a factory in Miami and his motto indicates that he wants to be recognized for making traditional cigars. The Padilla brands include the Padilla Miami, Padilla Serie among many others. It should be noted that the Cigar Aficionado named the Padilla cigar as the top 25 cigars of the year for two years simultaneously. Let us review some of the Padilla brands in the market today.

The Padilla Achilles

This cigar hails from the United States. It features an oily Nicaraguan Corojo or Criollo wrapper, the filler is Nicaraguan and the binder is Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican Republic. This handmade medium bodied cigar comes in a Salomon size. The wrapper has a grassy and cedary aroma and the flavors include leather, earth with hints of cedar, and later revealing light pepper and vanilla flavors. The finish is woody, nutty and earthy as the leather flavor fades away. The price tag is quite reasonable for such well flavored cigar.

Padilla Cazadores Robusto

The Cazadores is created in Honduras and utilizes an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The wrapper has light brown color; it is oily offering hay and sweet aromas. The filler tobaccos are Nicaraguan and the binder is also Nicaraguan. On pre-light the cigar offers spicy and hay flavors and as you proceed there is the presence of woody flavors with hints of sweetness and leather. The finish has a slight hint of ammonia. Overall this cigar has good flavors and it makes for a good smoke.

Padilla Miami Lancero

The new Padilla Miami line is created at the Fabrica de Tobacos de Padilla in Miami. The Miami Lancero is a medium bodied cigar and it uses a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, the filler is Nicaraguan and so is the binder. The wrapper is smooth and oily and quite aromatic offering a wonderful scent of earth, leather and butter. The Lancero flavors include spice, leather and nuts. The flavors are quite buttery and nutty with a sweet aftertaste. This is a cigar that would be enjoyed by any cigar aficionado.

Padilla Signature 1932 Robusto

The signature 1932 was introduced in 2006 and was named to honor Ernesto’s father, the late Heberto Padilla. The rare Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper used has been fermented and aged for five years; it has a beautiful dark color and a nice silky look. The filler and binder are Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Criollo. This full-bodied cigar offers burnt cedar and earthy flavors and a wonderful creamy mocha, dark vanilla and leather flavors with hints of caramel, spice and toasted nuts. This cigar is simply delicious.

The Padilla Dominus

The Dominus features a Nicaraguan Corojo 2006 wrapper and a Nicaraguan filler and binder. This handmade cigar created by Ernesto Padilla is well constructed, its wrapper has a beautiful auburn color and its body is medium to full. The pre-light offers a wonderful red pepper flavor and as your progress on you will capture a woody flavor with notes of cinnamon, coffee and caramel, this flavors remain throughout and get creamier and there is an additional earthy flavor combined to the complex mix. The finish has a wonderful woody flavor to it. The Padilla Dominus has some wonderful flavors although quite powerful and it is suited well for the cigar experts.

Padilla Edicion Especial 2006 (Obsidian)

This beauty utilizes a Nicaraguan wrapper and the filler is Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos with a Nicaraguan binder. The Edicion Especial line included the Connecticut wrapped en Cedro, Maduro Ligero wrapped Obsidian and the Corojo wrapped Archilles.The Obsidian wrapper has a nice dark brown color and an oily feel to it. This medium to full bodied cigar features a nice black pepper aroma on the pre-light. The base is Nicaraguan tobacco with the black pepper aftertaste. This cigar remains smooth throughout from start to finish. Overall it makes for a wonderful smoking experience.