My Forever Cigar: The Padrón Family Reserve No. 45
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When you find the one, you stop looking — and this is mine.
At a glance
- Brand: Padrón Cigars
- Line: Family Reserve Series No. 45
- Origin: Nicaragua (puro)
- Wrapper options: Natural or Maduro
- Shape: Box-pressed
- Tobacco aging: Minimum of eight years
- Rating: #1 Cigar of the Year in 2009 by Cigar Aficionado
There’s a reason this cigar has been crowned the #1 cigar in the world by Cigar Aficionado. It’s not hype. It’s earned. Every leaf of tobacco used in the Family Reserve Series is aged for a minimum of eight years before it’s ever rolled — twice as long as most premium cigars. The result is a smoke that’s impossibly smooth and deeply complex at the same time — and that’s a rare combination.
If you’ve been following along, you know that BigDog — my husband Bruce — is the one who got me into cigars. And over the last five years, I’ve smoked my way through plenty of them. Different sizes, different countries, different wrappers.
But every single time I light up a Padrón Family Reserve Series 45, I remember exactly why this one is my favorite.
Bold and full-flavored, yes — but never harsh. That’s the Padrón magic.
The flavor profile is something I look forward to every time. It opens with cedar and cocoa, rich and grounding. As you work through the first third, coffee and leather start to emerge. By the time you’re deep into the smoke, there are notes of roasted nuts, a touch of earthiness, and just a whisper of spice. It evolves the entire time. It keeps you company. That’s what I love most — a cigar that actually has something to say.
I personally smoke the Maduro wrapper. The dark, oily leaf brings out a deeper sweetness — think dark chocolate and espresso — that pairs perfectly with a glass of wine or a good cocktail on our patio. BigDog is a different story. He gravitates toward lighter, creamier smokes — his go-to is actually an Ashton Monarch, a Connecticut wrapper that’s smooth and mild with a completely different character. We don’t always agree on cigars, but we always agree on the ritual.
One thing worth knowing: the Family Reserve Series is a very limited production cigar. Padrón releases a small number of boxes each year, and they’re distributed to only a select number of shops. These aren’t something you just stumble across everywhere — which makes them feel even more special when you’ve got one in your hand. Padrón uses a double band with an individually numbered guarantee label on every stick, so when you see that band, you know you’ve got the real thing.
It travels with us, too
One of the things I love most about a great cigar is that it fits any backdrop. When BigDog and I are on the road, there’s nothing better than finding a scenic spot, slowing down, and lighting one up together. This photo was taken in Cuba, Missouri — just the two of us, a good view, and a Padrón in hand. No agenda, no rush. That’s the whole point.
Set the mood right
A great cigar deserves the right setup. Here’s what I keep on the patio:
- Torch lighter — A single-flame torch is all you need for an even, clean light. No butane taste, no fuss.
- Cigar ashtray — A deep, wide ashtray keeps things tidy and holds a full-size stick without balancing it awkwardly.
- Whiskey glasses — A good rocks glass makes the whole ritual feel elevated. I like having one nearby whether it’s bourbon, a scotch, or even a bold red wine.
On a quiet Tuesday evening when it’s just me, BigDog, the patio lights, and a glass bourbon or scotch — this is the cigar I reach for. It’s not a special occasion smoke for me anymore. It’s just home.
