Padrón Dámaso No. 12

The Padrón Dámaso is a real departure for a brand famous for rich, full-bodied Nicaraguan cigars. Named after José O. Padrón's grandfather, the Dámaso swaps the usual sun-grown wrapper for a light, golden Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf — though the binder and filler are still Nicaraguan. The No. 12 is the line's robusto, a round 5 x 50.

What it tastes like

This is the gentlest cigar Padrón makes — mild-to-medium and creamy. Expect cedar and cream up front, with cashew, a little cocoa, and a soft white-pepper note. It's smooth and approachable, an easygoing morning or daytime smoke rather than a powerhouse. As always with Padrón, the construction is flawless: even burn, easy draw, no fuss.

Who it's for

This is one of the rare Padróns that's genuinely beginner-friendly, and a great pairing with coffee at the start of the day. If you usually smoke the brand's stronger cigars, it's a refreshing change of pace. Curious how a Connecticut wrapper compares to a dark maduro? See maduro vs Connecticut, and our cigar strength guide explains where mild blends like this fit.

It's an unusually light Nicaraguan-made cigar, interesting context for the Cuban vs Nicaraguan comparison. Pair it with coffee or even champagne, and log it in your humidor with the Casa DNC app.