Expert: James Yee - 9/26/2009

Question
Hi James, I have a question. A few years ago, a good friend of mine came into a cigar bar I worked for at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia. He handed me a box, wrapped in Christmas paper and told me not to open the box till I got home. When I did, I opened a box of Padron's. I had never seen them before. I was 99.9% sure that these padrons he gave me were Cuban. I know that they are made in Nicaragua, but, are there still any padrons rolled in Cuba? The robusto's had a gold band around them and were a Connecticut shade if I'm not mistaken. Am I right or am I completely mistaken? Unfortunately, when I moved last year, I lost a box which I had the box the cigars came in. Please tell me I'm not crazy, lol.
Jonathan

Answer
Hi Jonathan,

I'm pretty sure the Padron family has not made another Cuban-based cigar since leaving Cuba in 1961.  Padron did make pre-Castro Cuban cigars but those are very rare and almost impossible to find now.  Is there anything else you remember about the box or cigar band?  Was the box varnished wood and have brass hinges or was it a "paper dressed" cedar box?  Do you remember any specific writing on the bands?  Did they have a distinctive design?  There are a few Cuban cigar brands with gold-coloured and gold-trimmed cigar bands so if you have any more info about the cigars or cigar band, I can try to narrow the search down for you.

Also, Padron does indeed make Nicaragua-grown, CUBAN SEED cigars which means the tobacco is derived from original Cuban seeds, but now grown elsewhere.  Could this be why you believe your Padrons are Cuban?  If I recall correctly, only the Padron 1964 and 1926 Anniversario cigars have a little bit of gold colour to them.  Padron cigars are also box pressed and not round so if you remember the cigars to be squarish in shape (box pressed), they were most likely Nicaraguan Padrons.

If you have any more info about your cigars, please feel free to just let me know and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James