Padron 1964 Anniversary vs 1926 Serie

Posted on May 24 2025

Open boxes of Padron 1964 Anniversary Series and Padron 1926 Serie cigars displayed side by side.

Padron 1964 Anniversary vs 1926 Serie — Which Should You Buy?

Both the Padron 1964 Anniversary and 1926 Serie are Nicaraguan puros built at the same family factory in Estelí. The key difference is aging and strength: the 1964 uses four-year-aged tobaccos and lands at full body with pronounced cocoa and cedar, while the 1926 adds a fifth year of aging and extra ligero, pushing into full-plus territory with espresso, black pepper, and a longer, more complex finish. If you're new to full-body Nicaraguans, start with the 1964. If you want the best Padron makes, reach for the 1926.

At a Glance — 1964 Anniversary vs 1926 Serie

Feature Padron 1964 Anniversary Padron 1926 Serie
Wrapper Nicaraguan Habano Nicaraguan
Binder Nicaraguan Nicaraguan
Filler Nicaraguan Nicaraguan
Aging 4 years minimum 5 years minimum
Body Full Full+
Signature Notes Cocoa, cedar, toasted almond Espresso, black pepper, dark cherry
Entry Price (Natural) $19.38/stick (sold in 5-packs) Check site for availability
Entry Price (Maduro) $19.38/stick (sold in 5-packs) $16.68/stick (sold in 5-packs)
Box Press Yes Yes
Best For Everyday full-body smoke Special occasion, experienced smokers

What Sets the Padron 1964 Anniversary Apart?

The 1964 Anniversary was created to mark Padron's 30th year in business and has been in continuous production since 1994. Every cigar in the line is rolled with tobaccos aged a minimum of four years before rolling — a standard far above most premium brands.

The result is a square-pressed cigar that smokes cooler and slower than a round-press, delivering flavours of dark cocoa, cedar, toasted almond, and a mild black pepper finish. The Nicaraguan Habano wrapper adds a natural sweetness that keeps the line from ever feeling harsh.

It's available in both Natural and Maduro. The Natural leads with nutty cedar and a dry pepper finish. The Maduro brings dark chocolate, raisin, and caramel sweetness while maintaining the same full body.

Shop Padron 1964 Anniversary Natural →
Shop Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro →

How Does the 1926 Serie Raise the Bar?

The 1926 Serie was introduced in 2002 to honour José Orlando Padrón's 75th birthday — his birth year giving the line its name. It uses the same Nicaraguan puro construction as the 1964 but adds a full fifth year of aging and a heavier ligero content in the filler, which is what separates the two lines in strength and complexity.

Where the 1964 delivers a composed, smooth full body, the 1926 opens with an intensity that experienced smokers recognise immediately — espresso, dark cherry, and a pronounced black pepper spice that builds through the second third before settling into a long finish of cedar and dark caramel.

Construction on the 1926 is flawless. The square press is tighter than the 1964, the ash is whiter and firmer, and the draw is consistently ideal across every vitola.

Shop Padron 1926 Serie Maduro →

Vitola and Pricing Guide — What's Available Now

Padron 1964 Anniversary Natural

All five vitolas currently in stock. Prices from live inventory:

  • Belicoso (5x52) — $19.38/stick (sold in 5-packs, $96.90)
  • Torpedo (6x52) — $21.57/stick (sold in 5-packs, $107.87)
  • Imperial (6x54) — $20.55/stick (sold in 5-packs, $102.77)
  • Pyramide (6.88x42/52) — $20.20/stick (sold in 5-packs, $100.98)
  • No. 4 (6.5x60) — $26.11/stick (sold in 5-packs, $130.56)

Shop Padron 1964 Natural →

Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro

Same vitola range as Natural. Some sizes limited in stock.

  • Belicoso (5x52) — $19.38/stick (sold in 5-packs, $96.90)
  • Pyramide (6.88x42/52) — $20.20/stick (sold in 5-packs, $100.98)

Shop Padron 1964 Maduro →

Padron 1926 Serie Maduro

Two vitolas currently in stock:

  • No. 35 (4x48) — $16.68/stick (sold in 5-packs, $83.38)
  • No. 6 (4.7x50) — $18.82/stick (sold in 5-packs, $94.10)

Other vitolas (No. 1, No. 2, No. 9) — check site for current availability.

Shop Padron 1926 Maduro →

Padron 1926 Serie Natural

Currently out of stock across all vitolas. Check back for restocks.

Check Padron 1926 Natural Availability →

Which Padron Is Right for You?

Choose the 1964 Anniversary if:

  • You want a full-body Nicaraguan you can smoke daily without it demanding your full attention
  • You're building a relationship with Padron and want to understand the house style before committing to the 1926
  • You prefer a wider vitola selection at more consistent in-stock availability

Choose the 1926 Serie if:

  • You have experience with full-body Nicaraguans and want the benchmark
  • You're buying for a special occasion — a box of 1926 is a gift worth remembering
  • You want a cigar that rewards home aging: the 1926 improves meaningfully after 12–18 months at 65% RH

The honest verdict: The 1964 is one of the best value-for-quality cigars in the premium segment. The 1926 is simply one of the best cigars made, anywhere. If you can only buy one right now, the 1926 Maduro No. 35 at $16.68/stick is the strongest value in this comparison given current stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Padron 1926 Serie worth more than the 1964?

Yes — but not dramatically. The extra year of aging, heavier ligero content, and the tighter tolerances on the 1926 justify the price difference, which is roughly $2–4 per stick depending on vitola. If you smoke Padron regularly, having both in rotation makes sense.

Do both lines come in Natural and Maduro?

Yes. Natural wrappers on both lines use Nicaraguan Habano leaf and deliver nuttier, drier profiles. Maduro versions use a darker Nicaraguan wrapper that adds chocolate, raisin, and a sweeter overall character. The Maduro versions tend to be more forgiving for newer smokers despite the full body.

Which vitola is the best starting point for each line?

For the 1964, the Belicoso (5x52) at $19.38/stick is the entry point and one of the most consistent sizes in the line. For the 1926, the No. 35 (4x48) at $16.68/stick is the most accessible price point and a good 45-minute introduction to what the line can do.

How should I store Padron cigars?

65% RH, 68–70°F. Both lines are already well-aged at purchase — you won't harm them by smoking right away, but six months to a year of additional rest deepens the cocoa on the 1964 and softens the pepper on the 1926.

Are Padron cigars available as singles?

The 1926 80th Anniversary Maduro is sold as a single ($37.67/stick). The core 1964 and 1926 Serie lines are sold in 5-packs only at LCC.

0 comments

Leave a comment

Recent Posts