After joining the CRA (Cigar Rights of America) and beginning my training for my CCT (Certified Consumer Tobacconist), I decided it was time to change the way I was rating cigars. I was so used to reading Cigar Aficionado’s 100 point scale that I complicated myself by giving the ratings such a broad spectrum. Cigars are too subjective for a 100 point scale, and there’s too much room for error using that system, so I was referred to the ICRS download page by Jorge Armenteros and found this to be quite useful in my reviews of cigars.

By using the ICRS, you critically examine all aspects of a cigar, gaining a broader understanding of the various components of that particular cigar. The evaluations made can be used to keep track of what you liked and disliked about the cigar. Quoting Colin Ganley, “Cigar magazines use their own systems and the ICRS is an alternative. I believe this is a very good alternative and in some cases, a much better one.”

I agree. Check out the ICRS yourself and you’ll see how much easier it is to properly review and understand what you have come to love, cigars! From now on, this is what I’ll be using, so stay tuned for some more great reviews!

Here is the rating system in a 1-10 point scale:

1 – Unpleasant Flavor
2 – Contains Bad Flavors
3 – Seriously Flawed
4 – Slightly Flawed
5 – Acceptable
6 – Good
7 – Very Good
8 – Excellent
9 – Nearly Perfect
10 – Best Cigar Ever

Happy Smoking!
Jorgie

The Light Up:
Recently named the best cigar of 2009 by Cigar Aficionado, this aged Nicaraguan puro commemorates the 45th Anniversary of Padrón Cigars. Nicknamed “The Hammer”, the Padrón Family Reserve comes in both a natural and maduro wrapper and are in boxes of 10 cigars. Apparently they are very hard to find, but fortunately my local tobacconist carried them and I was able to land one! At first sight, this box-pressed beauty made my eyes and mouth water! The rich maduro wrapper, although slightly veiny, was smooth and seamless, a toothy complexion was also evident. I was going to bare the cold weather to smoke this one! At first puff this cigar came out strong! A peppery, slight bite on the tongue at first which is not the norm for the brand, transitioned into a smooth roasted nutty taste after about a quarter into the smoke. I must admit this was stronger than your normal Padrón, but what do you expect from such an aged and powerful blend. The aroma was fantastic and body was a mouthful.

The Mid-Stick:
Reaching this point in the experience was pure delight, a Padrón smokers wet dream. The cigar had developed into something extraordinary, a characteristic of a well thought out blend. Padrón is known for this with all of their products. Nutty, smooth, creamy, I could go on forever with descriptive words but there’s just not enough words in the english dictionary to describe the cigar, so I’ll leave this one…fantastic. I see now why this cigar was given the industry’s most prestigious award. Who could argue, not me that’s for sure. The burn began a little uneven, but straightened out without any assistance. Coffee undertones began to emerge and a thick white ash was lingering at the end of my progress thick enough to fall off and remain in my ashtray intact, another trait of good tobacco.

The Finish:
I removed the third band with the 45 inscription on it and began working my way to the secondary and primary bands removing them as I continued smoking. Lesser cigars may become bitter beyond the band and so it’s time wasted to venture past this point. I began searching for some way to extend the experience as I could already feel my fingertips getting warm, signaling I was nearing the end of the stick. I braved on. The strong coffee and cocoa flavors intensified at the last quarter forcing me to keep on puffing. There was barely anything left by the time I realized it, and at this point I was pinching my fingers together to savor every last bit. What remained was something that could barely even be called a nub. I had smoked this baby down to the first seam of the head! My fingers may have been screaming in agony, but my palate was screaming with enjoyment! Although at the higher end of pricing, $30 to be exact, which is what I paid, this cigar is one of those treats a cigar smoker seeks. Definitely not a smoke for a newbie, but rather for a seasoned smoker. Would I spend the money again? Most definitely! I think I’ll grab a few more to add to the collection. Rating this cigar a strong 94 simply would not do it justice. The Padrón Family Reserve No. 45 Maduro is off my charts!

Happy Smoking!
Jorgie