Padron – Cigars

Padrón: Premium Cigars from Nicaragua

At the beginning of the extraordinarily eventful history of Padrón cigars stands a hammer—more specifically, a carpenter’s hammer. Like many of his compatriots, company founder José Orlando Padrón fled his homeland Cuba after the revolution and settled in Florida. As a penniless immigrant, he relied on $60 in monthly assistance from U.S. authorities to support himself and his family. His job search was initially unsuccessful, and worries about the future weighed heavily on Padrón. A fortunate turning point came with a hammer given to him by his friend Raul from the Cuban Refugee Office.

“El martillito” – “the little hammer” – became the tool that helped Padrón gain a foothold in the United States. By day, he worked as a gardener, and by night, as a carpenter, driven by a big dream: to make cigars like the ones he knew from his homeland. When he had saved $600, the time had come: in 1964, he opened his own factory in Miami; six years later, he moved production to Nicaragua.

José Padrón’s Remarkable Journey

Today, Padrón stands at the pinnacle of its craft, with the American trade magazine “Cigar Aficionado” repeatedly naming a Padrón product the best cigar in the world. But the path to success was anything but easy: during the Civil War in Nicaragua, the factory burned to the ground, and the headquarters in Miami was repeatedly targeted by bomb attacks. When President Reagan imposed a trade embargo against Nicaragua in the 1980s, production had to be temporarily relocated to Honduras. Even the devastating Hurricane Mitch of 1998, which swept across Central America, did not spare the Padróns’ fields.

Under New Leadership

Despite all setbacks, giving up was never an option for the family. They have since returned to Nicaragua, and José’s son Jorge now runs the family business. In the summer of 2014, the German exclusive importer Kopp negotiated significantly simpler supply routes with them. Previously, a Padrón cigar cost about twice as much in Germany as in the U.S., but prices have since been aligned, making these cigars highly attractive in terms of value for money. Compared to brands like Macanudo, Dunhill, Arturo Fuente, Rocky Patel, or Carlos Torano, they are now very competitively priced. The most popular formats include the Churchill, Exclusivo, Diplomaticos, and Robusto. German importer Kopp Tobaccos also distributes brands such as Flor de Copan, Chinchalero, Santa Damiana, and Cumpay.

All Padrón Cigars

The foundation of Padrón’s success is the Classic. It is the brand’s most affordable option yet remains of outstanding quality. Only Nicaraguan Sungrown tobaccos, aged for at least two years, are used. For the brand’s 30th anniversary, the 1964 Anniversary was launched. Celebrating special occasions with a special cigar is a cherished tradition at Padrón. The exclusive 1926 series commemorates the 75th birthday of founder José O. Padrón. It also includes a 1926 Anniversary, featuring special editions and limited pieces from the parent line.

The ultra-premium cigars of the Family Reserve are the brand’s most expensive. They are always released in small batches and are therefore not always available. The Damaso line, on the other hand, is fundamentally different from all others. These cigars are light, mild, and not box-pressed. Precisely because they are so unique, they promise an exceptional experience.

By the way, the hammer now holds a place of honor within the company. While tobacco is the family’s lifeblood, the Padróns know what they owe to “el martillito.” It even adorns the brand’s elegant cigar cases.