Padrón · 1926 Serie
New WorldAficionadosPadrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro
A 6.5 x 54 box-pressed maduro toro from Padrón's flagship 1926 Serie — cocoa, coffee and leather. Cigar Aficionado's 2004 Cigar of the Year.
The short answer
The Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro is a bold, full-bodied cigar — a Nicaragua toro (box-pressed) with a Nicaraguan (sun-grown Maduro) wrapper. Expect cocoa, coffee, and leather. Critics rate it 93/100.
Flavor profile
Sweet · Roast · Earthy · Spice
Critic ratings
Cigar Aficionado
2004
93/100
Scores as published by each reviewer. Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings; we don't score cigars ourselves.
The verdict
The Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro is a bold, full-bodied cigar from Padrón's 1926 Serie line. It's a Nicaragua (New World) toro (box-pressed) wrapped in Nicaraguan (sun-grown Maduro) at 6.5 in × 54.
On the palate, expect cocoa, coffee, and leather, leaning sweet. Plan on roughly 80 minutes from light to nub.
It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 93/100 in 2004. It pairs naturally with espresso, aged rum, and single malt. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
The Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro is a modern classic — Cigar Aficionado named it Cigar of the Year in 2004, the first of several top honors for the 1926 line. It's a 6.5 x 54 box-pressed toro, an all-Nicaraguan puro built from older tobaccos aged at least five years.
What it tastes like
This is a full-bodied, deeply satisfying cigar. The maduro wrapper layers cocoa, coffee, and leather, finishing with cedar and a sturdy black-pepper spice. The toro size gives it a cool draw and a long, evolving burn, so the rich flavors build gradually rather than overwhelming you. It's powerful, but the trademark Padrón balance keeps every puff smooth and refined.
Who it's for
A flagship cigar for experienced smokers — ideal for a special evening. If you'd like to ease in, the 1964 Imperial Maduro is the same shape in a gentler line. Curious about the dark wrapper? See maduro vs Connecticut.
It's a definitive Nicaraguan smoke for the Cuban vs Nicaraguan comparison. Pair it with an aged rum or single malt after dinner, and log it in your humidor with the Casa DNC app.
Curious how it stacks up? See Maduro vs Connecticut wrappers.
Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro — frequently asked
- Is the Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro a good cigar for beginners?
- Not as a first cigar. Full-bodied smokes are intense and high in nicotine — save it until you're comfortable with strength.
- How strong is the Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro?
- The Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro is Full-bodied — bold and high in nicotine. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
- What does the Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro taste like?
- Expect cocoa, coffee, and leather, leaning sweet. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What is the Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro's rating?
- Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 93/100 (2004). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
- What pairs well with the Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro?
- It pairs well with espresso, aged rum, and single malt. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's full body.
- How long does it take to smoke the Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro?
- Plan on about 80 minutes for the toro (box-pressed) — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro head-to-head
See how Padrón 1926 Serie No. 40 Maduro stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.