Padron Black

With the Padrón Black series, the Nicaraguan family business makes a clear statement: this line represents a modern take on the classic Padrón strength. It combines the bold aroma of the renowned Padrón 1926 Series with the elegant depth of the Padrón Family Reserve Cigars—leaning more toward the latter in terms of taste. All vitolas are Nicaraguan puros, crafted from hand-selected, extensively aged tobaccos grown on the company’s own farms. Noteworthy is the cigars’ round shape, a departure from the brand’s otherwise typical box-pressed look, as well as the fact that Padrón Black cigars are delivered in cellophane. This blend of tradition and innovation vividly reflects the brand’s evolution under Jorge Padrón. The first Padrón Black cigars were introduced in 2016 as a limited edition for the 89th birthday of company founder José O. Padrón and were sold by a single retailer in the U.S. Three years later, the concept returned as a limited release for the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA). Since then, samplers and small batches have been released occasionally—for example, to support the Cigar Rights of America (CRA) financially. So it was only logical to eventually make this blend part of a permanent series. And indeed, in October 2025, two identical vitolas were released, differing only in their wrapper leaf.

Family Tradition and Precision: Padrón’s Legacy

Ever since José Orlando Padrón opened his first small cigar factory in Miami in 1964, Padrón cigars have stood for craftsmanship and unwavering quality. Despite political upheaval, embargoes, and natural disasters, the family has never wavered in its philosophy: home-grown tobacco, fully handcrafted, with no compromises on aging or leaf quality. Today, José’s son Jorge continues this legacy, focusing on Nicaraguan cigars that bridge the past and present. The Padrón Black is a clear expression of this philosophy—bold, complex, and distinctly Nicaraguan, yet with a new balance and sensory depth that set it apart from all previous series.

Padrón Black PB-97: Intensity in a Limited Form

With the PB-97, Padrón presents a strictly limited edition within the Black series, originally unveiled at PCA 2023 in Las Vegas. While the exact blend remains undisclosed, it is said to lie “somewhere between” the 1926 and Family Reserve series, with a notable lean toward the latter in terms of strength and depth. The PB-97 develops a layered flavor profile: bold notes of earth, cocoa, and cinnamon are joined by roasted nuts, black pepper, and a hint of minerality. As the smoke progresses, sweeter nuances emerge, reminiscent of ripe fruit and wood. The cigar remains consistently full-bodied, yet reveals a refined interplay of strength and structure—an art few manufacturers master so well.

The smoking experience is particularly compelling: while the first third is dominated by earthy and spicy tones, the middle third opens up with delicate nuttiness and a subtle sweetness. Toward the finish, notes of pepper and leather take over—an intense ending that lingers long on the palate. With the Padrón Black PB-97, the family has created a cigar that reinterprets the brand’s character: unapologetically strong, yet with a modern, almost silky depth. It’s not meant for beginners but for the seasoned aficionado who takes the time to experience the soul of Nicaraguan tobacco in its purest form.