Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Finest Hour Connecticut Robusto

Cigar Info

Padilla‘s latest line, Finest Hour, was first teased on instagram in August of 2018 and it shipped 5 months later in January of 2019. Finest Hour is an homage to a famous speech given by Winston Churchill during the Battle of France. This was one of three memorable speeches given over the course of a month to the House of Commons during such time.

But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new dark age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.”

Winston Churchill

The cigar itself comes in three different blends: Finest Hour Habano, Finest Hour Connecticut and Finest Hour Oscuro. The Connecticut version has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, double Nicaraguan binder, and fillers from the Dominican and Republic. All come in the same size and prices: Robusto (5 x 52) – $7.50, Toro (6 x 52) – $8.25, Gordo (6 x 60) – $8.90. All come in boxes of 20.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Ernesto Padilla
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (Bostoneo) Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $7.50
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: January 2019
Contributed by: Padilla Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 86

“Looks to be a Robusto in size. This cigar has a light brown almost yellow wrapper to it which is smooth to the touch and not showing any visible seams or veins.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 89

“I was hoping for a barnyard funk but it more of a light earthy note from the foot. A bit of baking spice and cedar round out a mild prelight.” –Alan (Eulogy)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Cold draw gives me walnuts and salt. I pick up notes of cream mixed with roasted peanuts really like this combo. As the cigar progresses I get some floral notes on the retro.”-Mickey T. (irratebass)

“I clip the cap with my standard v-cut and the cold draw is sweet vanilla custard. After toasting the foot, I start to take in what this cigar has to offer up. Sweet cream and honey with subtle notes of cinnamon immediately open up for me. Unfortunately, I get a bunch of tar about an inch in that derails the sweetness.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Immense amounts of oak, cream, and a bit of black pepper start out this second third. Not much happening here complexity wise, the results from earlier keep on course with a minor bump in the body to more of a medium based profile.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“I’m still finding the cigar very spicy on the tongue, nose, and back of the throat. I was kind of expecting the heat to back off a little more at this point and it is a few degrees less than it was but still very heavy. Black coffee, mineral, green bell pepper, cedar, and cream play against the almost cola mouthfeel of the pepper.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“The last thirds begins with a medium-bodied profile of oak, cream, and even more black pepper. With a silky-smooth profile, this sample continues its path until the last two inches where a graphite note introduces itself and slowly takes over as this cigar comes to an end.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Still very spicy with a heavy lean to the mineral spectrum. I am getting moments of cedar or leather but it’s hard to taste over the other flavors.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 96

“Great amount of resistance and ample smoke output.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Burn: 94

“No corrections needed.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Construction: 93

“Excellent construction, ash really held on even in the wind, but the wrapper did unravel on me in the final inch….not complaining though.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“With everything in the review some bad some great, I would still recommend giving it a try. Perfect draw great burn and an interesting first and second third, but things go a little downhill from there.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“This is a classic light to medium-bodied cigar with all kinds of great leather, oak, cream, and pepper notes. Overall, it was a decent stick with a consistent flavor profile that is sure to please any mild to medium-bodied smoker. No big frills here, just steady good flavor without any issues.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“There’s a lot to like with this cigar. The level of pepper kept things interesting and almost never let up from beginning to end, smoke output was great, the construction was perfect, and there were a few noticeable profile transitions. It would be a good final smoke of the day due to the level of aggressive red pepper and heavy mineral flavor. A good cigar when you’re in the mood for something very heavy on the palate.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This was a fantastic smoke! Lots of cream, roasted peanuts then vanilla and cream soda (This flavor mix was incredible, and a nice surprise) then it ended with wood fighting for the # 1 spot. Excellent cigar would gladly smoke again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Getting tar buildup can be unpredictable. What is also unpredictable is whether or not the cigar can bounce back and still have plenty to offer. For this instance, it didn’t work out for me. Despite that, I’d like to revisit this and see if a redeeming session can happen for me.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 69

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Padilla | Finest Hour Connecticut Robusto