Padron Cigars Guide - 1964, 1926, 7000 & More
Posted on May 19 2025
Padron Cigars Guide — Lines, Prices & Buyer Tips
Updated May 2025 · Author: Luxury Cigar Club
When José Orlando Padron arrived in Miami with a $60 toolbox and Cuban-seed dreams, nobody could have predicted the Padron dynasty that would follow. Today the family’s Nicaraguan factory produces some of the most consistently high-scoring cigars on the planet. This guide unpacks every core line—from everyday Series 7000 to the box-pressed legends 1964 Anniversary and 1926 Serie—so you can invest in the right box, or single, without question. Which Padron is Better 1964 or 1926?
1 · Brand Origins & Milestones
- 1964: José Orlando Padron opens a Little Havana rolling room; hammer logo honors the carpentry side-job that funded it.
- 1970s: Production moves to Estelí, Nicaragua; facility burned during civil unrest and rebuilt in 1978.
- 1994: 30th Anniversary line debuts (precursor to 1964 Anniversary).
- 1995: Padron 1964 Anniversary launches—box-pressed, 4-year aged tobaccos, quickly scores 94+ in Cigar Aficionado.
- 2002: Padron 1926 Serie honors José Orlando’s birth year, adds a fifth year of aging and a security serial on every band.
- 2015: Damaso introduces a Connecticut-seed wrapper—first true “mild” Padron.
2 · Core Lines Overview
| Line | Body | Wrapper | Signature Vitola | Flavor Snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 7000 | Medium-Full | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown | 7000 6¼×60 | Cocoa, coffee, black pepper |
| 2000 / 3000 | Medium | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown | 3000 Robusto 5×52 | Earth, cedar, nougat |
| 1964 Anniversary | Medium-Full | Nicaraguan Sungrown or Maduro | Principe 4½×46 | Dark chocolate, nutmeg, honey |
| 1926 Serie | Full | Nicaraguan Sungrown or Maduro | No. 9 5¼×56 | Espresso, black pepper, raisin |
| Damaso | Mild-Medium | Ecuador Connecticut | No. 15 Toro 6×52 | Cream, toasted almond, white pepper |
Check out our review of the Padron 1964 Anniversary Natural Diplomatico.
3 · Flavor & Strength Matrix
| Line | Strength | Sweetness | Spice | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damaso | ●● | ●●● | ● | ●● |
| 2000 / 3000 | ●●● | ●● | ●● | ●● |
| Series 7000 | ●●●● | ●● | ●●● | ●●● |
| 1964 Anniversary | ●●●● | ●●● | ●● | ●●●● |
| 1926 Serie | ●●●●● | ●● | ●●●● | ●●●● |
● scale: 1 = low, 5 = high.
4 · Price & Size Cheat-Sheet (MSRP May 2025)
| Line | Robusto | Toro | Large Ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 7000 | $9.90 (6000 Nat) | $11.60 (7000) | — |
| 2000 / 3000 | $8.20 (3000) | $9.00 (4000) | — |
| 1964 Anni | $15.70 (Principe) | $19.30 (Diplomatico) | $22.50 (Imperial 6×54) |
| 1926 Serie | $18.40 (No. 6) | $23.90 (No. 2 Belicoso) | $26.50 (No. 9 5¼×56) |
| Damaso | $13.10 (No. 12) | $14.60 (No. 15) | — |
5 · Buying Advice
Box vs Five-Pack Strategy
- Everyday: Series 7000 and 2000/3000 offer Padron flavor under $10.
- Gift boxes: 1964 Anniversary Diplomatico is the crowd-pleaser—medium-full but refined.
- Special occasions: 1926 Serie No. 2 Belicoso earns 95+ ratings almost every year.
Natural vs Maduro Wrappers
Natural = cinnamon-brown sun-grown; highlights nutty sweetness. Maduro = dark, longer fermentation; pumps chocolate and raisin tones. Buying a mixed-wrapper five-pack is the surest way to decide your camp.
6 · Pairings & Occasions
- Morning: Damaso + cappuccino
- Afternoon break: 2000 Robusto + Mexican hot chocolate
- After steak: 1964 Torpedo + añejo tequila
- Celebration toast: 1926 No. 2 + cask-strength bourbon
7 · Authenticity Checklist
- Serial number: 1964/1926 bands carry unique five-digit serials—no two sticks share a code.
- Box etching: Cedar lids are laser-branded, never stickered.
- Maduro sheen: True Padron Maduro shows matte oil—not lacquer gloss.
8 · FAQs
Which Padron is strongest?
The 1926 Serie (especially No. 6 and No. 9) delivers the highest nicotine and spice level.
Is the 1964 Anniversary box-pressed?
Yes, all 1964 vitolas are square-pressed to save humidor space and smooth the burn.
Does Padron use Cuban tobacco?
No. All tobaccos are Nicaraguan sun-grown from family farms in Estelí and Jalapa.
How long should I age Padron cigars?
Most lines are box-ready, but an extra six months at 65 % RH mellows pepper and deepens cocoa notes.
Ready to crown your humidor? Shop our full Padron selection →
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