Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Belicoso Box of 25

Padron Cigars

The story behind Padron cigars is one of fable. It is a story steeped in family tradition and history. It is the American dream.

The foundation of the company was built upon the broad shoulders of its founder, Jose Orlando Padron. Jose Orlando Padron was born in Cuba in 1926. No stranger to cigars, Jose was born and grew up on the family’s tobacco farm. He would use this extensive knowledge in founding the company in the United States and later growing the brand worldwide.

Like so many others, Jose Padron fled Cuba at the age of 35 in 1961. Jose Padron fled Cuba as a result of the Castro regime nationalizing the family business and ultimately destroying the family heritage. Jose Padron fled to find a better life in America.

Upon arrival in Miami, Florida, Jose Padron was the true immigrant success story. He arrived with nothing but knowledge, and a strong work ethic. He was fortunate.  With help from friends in the Cuban community, and other emigres, he got a hammer.  With his hammer, Jose started a carpentry business.  Working hard, he was able to accumulate $600 as a carpenter. He took this $600 and began to make cigars. Not just cigars but the beautiful cigars that he and his family had made for years in Cuba.  This hammer symbolizes the determination of Jose Orlando Padron. This hammer would become the symbol of Padron and you can see it on their website today.

In 1964 through sheer hard work and determination, Padron opened his first factory. With the little savings he had, he was able to hire quality Cuban cigar emigres like himself. In particular, he was able to hire quality rollers who had escaped Cuba.  Initially, Padron was able to make a few hundred cigars per day.

Once again good fortune came to Jose Padron. Shortly after opening his factory there was a knock at the door. A Nicaraguan tobacco company came to Miami and approached him. The Nicaraguan tobacco company was looking for a foothold in America and needed a buyer to sell their tobaccos.

Jose seized the opportunity. He traveled to Nicaragua where he was able to expand his tobacco business. In 1970 Jose moved his Miami business to Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, Padron hit his stride and started producing in quantity the finest handmade cigars in the world.

Hard work and perseverance paid off. Business boomed and today Padron cigars are not only one of the most in demand cigars but are considered the finest in the world by those in the know.

From one simple cigar, Padron has now grown to produce 4 Series of smokes. These four Series of cigars are produced in numerous shapes and sizes.

The first Series is the Pedro series. This is the most economical of the four. These cigars are produced with sungrown habano tobaccos that are aged for 2 1/2 years. The Pedro Series of cigars are medium to full-bodied.

The second series are the Padron 1926. As with all Padron cigars, they are handmade, and these box pressed beauties are produced from Cuban tobacco and are aged for five years.

The third in the series are the 1964 Anniversary. Similarly handmade, these aesthetically beautiful smokes are aged for four years. The 1964 anniversary series are full bodied but smooth.

The final series are the Padron Family Reserve Cigars. These are truly the apex of the series. Carefully crafted from special Nicaraguan tobaccos they are aged for a full 10 years. The Family Reserve Series are a complex smoke and full bodied.

From time to time, Padron crafts special releases and limited edition smokes. Like all Padron cigars, these special release and limited edition smokes are all unique and hand crafted.

All in all, the decades of hard work and expertise are fulfilled in each cigar. It is not an exaggeration to state that Padron produces some of the finest cigars in the world.