Padron No 48 TAA 2016 Natural Review

No 48 TAA 2016 Natural
Made by: Padron
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 60

This is Padron’s TAA offering for 2016 coming in at 5 1/2 inches by 60, it is the same length as the 2015 but definitely a “Gordo” ring gauge. The last 1926 I reviewed was a very good cigar, this bearing the same branding, I expect to hold to those standards. Let’s get this started and see what it can do with a Padron No 48 TAA 2016 Natural Review.

Prelight

The cap construction on Padron branded cigars always throws me off a bit, they just aren’t really paid attention to. That said, it never really seems to be a problem, other than that this cigar has small veins and visible seams. An even and slightly spongy pack, the cigar also has a slight box press. Light tooth to the wrapper, and the foot is giving off a campfire note of mixed cedar and oak. The undertone shows nuts and leather as well. Seems pretty standard and in line with the last 1926 that I reviewed. Very clean cut and almost no loose tobacco, extremely easy prelight draw. Oak and leather on the front with some cashew in the background and a sharp red pepper tingle. This should be a good cigar, let’s get it lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Thick, heavy, and creamy smoke. Great oily and extremely smooth mouth feel with a distinct red pepper bite on the finish. Leather and cashew are actually on the front and well mixed, the center of the profile shows oak as the red pepper takes over on the finish. A different ordering of Padron’s usual notes. It seems very well blended and the smoke production and thickness are its biggest strengths at the moment. Medium to full body and low to medium strength, barely a medium to full body but it is “just” there. Not a perfect burn line but it is going pretty well, I do not foresee any touchups.

2/3

Solid transition, cashew and cream accompanied by oak are on the front now. The center is now leather with a slight bitterness, and the finish has maintained a red pepper. There is also the appearance of a light black pepper. It’s held at its barely medium to full body, and the strength has stayed at a low to medium. The burn line has gotten better, again I don’t believe any touchups will be required. The cigar still has a great oily mouth feel. That is the best part of this cigar, good blending to produce that. The ash is holding on in inch and a half chunks. This has been an enjoyable and relaxing cigar so far. The red pepper is coming back up on the finish as the black pepper fades toward the end of the second third.

3/3

Tons of leather and cream on the front as I get into the last third. Oak and cashew have retreated to the center of the profile and the finish is a blast of red pepper. The cigar has gotten to a stable medium to full body and the strength has hit a medium. Great burn and great smoke production all the way to the end.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 89

Overall a good cigar, it kept true to Padron’s usual notes and style, just in a different way than usual which helped. Smooth, thick smoke, and stable flavors that have been time tested to be winners, lacking a bit of excitement, but none the less it’s perfect if you do like this companies cigars. If Padron is a brand you frequent on a regular basis this will be a great offering for you. If not then this falls in a bit of a different area, good for TAA collectors and cigar smokers that prefer a bit of a larger ring gauge.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com