Originally this line was called “Padilla Miami 8/11” but at some point it seems to have lost the cross streets. These are made in Pepin Garcia’s Rey de Los Habanos operation in Little Havana, which of course is located near the intersection of 8th street and 11th Ave. This line has gotten a lot of positive feedback in the last couple years, making it one of the best known and most sought after boutique cigars on the market.
Padilla Miami cigars are Nicarguan puros, bunched by hand and rolled by only ten experienced torcedors. The tobaccos used are first-generation cuban seed corojo and criollo grown in Nicaragua. The wrapper is corojo, and the filler is a blend of the two. As noted elsewhere, these particular varieties of tobacco are even more hygroscopic than your average black tobacco — they absorb the humidity more readily and in an excessively humid environment will not draw as well as they should. For this reason these cigars are best stored at a lower relative humidity than the typical 70-75%. The low 60’s is usually recommended.
These are not easy cigars to find. I finally managed to snag a five-pack on an auction site for a reasonable, though still substantial price. It’s a nice looking cigar and I noticed right away how well balanced it feels in the hand. The wrapper is a smooth dry natural color with maybe a touch of colorado. The prelight scent is not as spicy as I expected — simple sweet tobacco with an overtone of cedar.
Construction on these is a little bit questionable, just because they all seem to be rolled pretty tight. Two of the five I had to toss halfway through the cigar because it had become more labor than pleasure. The rest were better, but if held to the highest standard these are going to take a hit in the construction department.
On the other hand, these are some of the best tasting, most flavorful and complex cigars I’ve experienced from Don Pepin. They start out with Pepin’s trademark peppery prelude and slowly grow into a powerful smoke with a woody foundation. The aroma is the best that corojo has to offer — a sweet, lightly spiced caramel that starts out with some edges but then mellows after an inch or so and shows up some cocoa and coffee bean.
After a couple inches I’m ready to buckle up and settle in for the ride. Despite its size, this is a powerful cigar. In strength I’d rate it with the Opus X petite corona, though I think this is a superior smoke in terms of flavor. More than anything the flavor reminded me of a Montecristo No. 4 I was gifted a few weeks back, though not as smooth.
Construction problems aside, this is probably the best cigar I’ve smoked this year. I enjoyed the hell out of these, and even though I ended up paying around 6 dollars a stick (which is a pretty good deal, actually) I’d say they’re worth the standard retail 8 to 10 bucks a stick. It’s not an everyday cigar, but when you want to really concentrate on an intense and complex smoking experience, a Padilla Miami will not disappoint.
Cigarfan.net 
Sounds like they cost more than $6 a stick if you had to throw two out. And you really liked them, which probably made throwing them out sting a little more.
Great review. I cetainly agree, this is one of the tastiest Don Pepin sticks. I tried the robusto and belicoso sizes with no draw problems at all even though both seemed very tightly packed.
Was gifted a new “Pepin” masterpiece you may want to try as well. Troya Clasico. Totally engineered by Don Pepin. Been trying to find a tobacconist who carries them but no luck so far. Great gar!
lucky7
Well, Jack’s Brain, I guess you’re right about that. On a different day I might have struggled through the rest of those sticks, because they weren’t plugged, just tight, but I’m a little picky about draw I suppose. For that price though, the consumer is entitled to consistently flawless construction…but on the other hand, they are hand made by human beings. As Pepin’s cigars grow in popularity (and availability) quality is definitely something to keep an eye on.
And speaking of availability, lucky7, let us know when you locate a Troya supplier.
Great Review. I have never had this Padilla, but have had the Padilla Habano and never encountered a problem with those. A cigar is worth a try in my book and I may pick one or two up especially if they are around $6 a stick. I know they have them at a local shop around here. I will have to wait and see. Great Review again!!
I picked up a Troya Clasico at the local Tinderbox, but I never realized they were in such demand. I thought it seemed expensive for something from his Nicaragua factory though.
In terms of flavor the Miami may be one of the best NCs out there. I’d put it just behind the Tatuaje (brown label). I have consistently had one problem with every single Miami I’ve smoked though. The burn. The wrapper on these seems to be down right flame retardant. It burns crooked, it tunnels, it canoes, you name the burn problem and I’ve experienced it with a Miami. It’s a shame and it’s so darn frustrating because in every other respect this is just a fantastic cigar. With the price tag these carry, I feel I should almost never have a construction or burn problem, but I always do. Very disappointing. I have a box of Salomons that I desperately want to smoke, but I’m a little afraid to. I’m hoping if I let them sit long enough in the lower humidity of my wine cooler (62-65%) that they will smoke ok when I finally do put one to flame.
I see that Famous Smoke Shop has the Troya Clasico available now.
http://www.famous-smoke.com/cigars/search/sr.cfm/st/1/bc/TCL
They are so good I think I’m going to drain the wallet and pick up a box.
… lucky7
Thanks for the heads up! The humidor is full at the moment, but I’ll be keeping an eye on these. If I can find a fiver I’ll bite.
Have to say I really enjoy your reviews and if you send me your address I will break out a few from my box and send them to you if you promise a near term review.
lucky7
You got a deal! Just remember, no good deed goes unpunished around here.