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Initial Thoughts
Padron cigars are always a cigar that people talk about with a little bit of mystique behind them. Everyone knows that they’re really good but can never put a finger on it. Let alone remember which one they smoked. I know I’ve had quite a few Padron cigars in my day and if it weren’t for this site I wouldn’t be able to tell you which ones that I have smoked because the numbering system is a bit confusing. After digging into the Padron website I think I’ve cracked the code though. This Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural is part of the Family Reserve connection which is part of the newest addition to the Padron lineup. Each cigar in this line signifies important dates for the Padron family. It also utilizes tobacco that has been aged 10 years. Each blend comes in both Natural and Maduro wrappers. Today we’re smoking the Natural wrapper. This particular blend won Cigar Aficionado’s coveted Cigar of the Year award in 2009. I wanted to find out why the 45 years or 1964 was an important date. Come to find out, that’s when Jose Padron founded the Padron Cigars company. So clearly a very significant date for the family and worthy of a very special cigar. I decided to pick up a sampler of Padron cigars from Holts.com. I felt that was the most cost-effective way to get a few Padrons in my possession for reviewing purposes. The entire sample costs roughly $80 but you get 5 cigars which is about $16 / stick but I felt that was a decent deal because this Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural is usually $26 on it’s own. The math works in my head but I’m also a little goofy sometimes. Nevertheless, I think we should dive into the smoke and see what this cigar has to offer.Looks
This Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural has a beautiful dark Colorado wrapper. It has a ton of texture to it as well which I love. The head looks a little mangled from the fermentation but I have no doubt that it’ll smoke wonderfully. I feel like on the Maduro version that I smoked the wrapper had a bit more tooth to it, this wrapper has a nice rugged texture but not much in the way tooth.
The cigar is decorated 3 bands actually, I initially thought it was just 2 until I was peeling them off in the dark and they kept coming at me. The secondary band that is maroon and gold with 45 years on it let’s you know the blend and the specific cigar of the family reserve. The primary band has the Family Reserve and 1964 on it, also in the traditional maroon and gold setting. There is a green-ish camo looking band as well that contains a serial number for each cigar. I just assumed this was part of the primary band but it’s set underneath the primary as it’s own. It’s a precise procedure to display all those bands together. I think it adds a bit of flair to the Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural overall.
Smoking
One thing that I know is, I’ve never had an issue smoking a Padron cigar. Spoiler alert, this Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural was no different. What I love about Padron cigars are the fact that yes you pay a lot for them, but they never let you down. The draw was absolutely perfect I was able to easily draw that smoke into my mouth with a just a bit of resistance but never got plugged. The burn was very straight throughout and produced an incredible ash which of course fell on my leg as I shifted in my chair (no surprise really). Just an absolute pleasure to smoke this cigar.Flavor
If you’re curious about the flavor of this Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural then I’m glad you’ve held on to the end. The blend started off with prominent notes of tobacco and black pepper. While nosing the barrel and the foot I picked up the exact same thing. So it makes sense that it carried through into the cigar.
While smoking the cigar began to shift notes slightly. The pepper backed off and gave way to a bit of a creamy leather flavor with hints of citrus in the background. In the final third I picked up on notes of bread and the citrus remained fairly prominent. With all that said nothing was really in your face in terms of the blend. It all felt very well balanced and I truly enjoyed the time spent with this Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural.
Would I Buy It Again?
Without a doubt.Is It an Every Day Smoke?
Would I Buy a Box?
I should buy a box.Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural?
Eric doesn’t call this one a powerhouse — the pepper is present early but backs off, giving way to creamier, more balanced notes as you smoke. It reads as a medium-bodied experience rather than something that’s going to knock you over.
What are the flavor notes of the Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural?
The Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural opens with tobacco and black pepper, then transitions into creamy leather with hints of citrus. The final third brings in notes of bread while the citrus stays fairly prominent throughout — and nothing ever feels out of balance.
Where can I buy the Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural?
Eric picked his up through Holts.com as part of a sampler, which he found to be the most cost-effective way to get a few Padrons for the price of one. That’s a solid starting point if you want to try it without going all-in on a single stick.
How much does the Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural cost?
The Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural runs about $26 per stick on its own. Eric snagged a 5-cigar Padron sampler from Holts.com for around $80, which works out to roughly $16 a stick — better math if you’re on the fence.
What bourbon pairs well with the Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural?
Eric smoked this one alongside bourbon and says it paired well, though he doesn’t name a specific bottle in this review. Given the cigar’s creamy leather and citrus profile, something with complementary character is your best bet.
Where to Buy Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural
Average retail: ~$26 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$26/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$26/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
Stogies on the Rocks may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Bourbon Pairings for the Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s caramel richness and subtle oak should complement the creamy leather mid-palate of the 45 Years Natural without steamrolling the cigar’s more delicate citrus notes.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s bold baking spice and dark fruit character should play nicely off the early black pepper and hold up through the bread and citrus finish without overpowering the balance Eric loved.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve’s smooth, approachable sweetness and vanilla-forward profile should let the 45 Years Natural’s well-balanced, never-in-your-face flavor profile stay front and center while adding a little richness alongside the creamy leather notes.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
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Conclusion
I mean it’s really hard to argue that Padron cigars are top notch. I’ve yet to have one that has let me down. The Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Natural is no different. Perfect smoking experience, great flavor, it paired well with my bourbon. What more could you want out of a cigar? Do yourself a favor, go pick one of these up. If you’re hesitant to buy one for $26, do what I did and get a sampler box with a few other Padrons in there as well. I know you won’t regret it!
