Padron Family Reserve No. 96 Maduro (5.75 x 52) – Full Cigar Review

First Impressions

Let’s start out this Padron Family Reserve No.96 Maduro Cigar Review with my first impression. As soon as I cracked open the box, I knew this one was gonna be a treat. That signature Padron presentation—simple, classy, confident. No gimmicks. Just a dark, oily Nicaraguan maduro wrapper that screams depth and richness. The cigar feels weighty in the hand, slightly box-pressed, and firm all the way through with just the right amount of give. Cold draw gave off notes of cocoa powder, dried fruit, and a bit of cedar. Not overly sweet, but you could tell there was complexity packed in there.

The First Third

Lit up like a dream. No touch-ups needed, razor-sharp burn from the get-go. First few puffs? Boom—dark chocolate, espresso, a little black pepper on the retrohale. There’s this creaminess underneath that balances the spice beautifully. Draw was effortless, typical Padron. Smoke output was dense and silky.

Around the 1-inch mark, flavors settled into a mocha vibe, with subtle cedar and a touch of earth creeping in. Pepper softened a bit but still lingered on the finish. Strength? Medium, leaning toward medium-full. Nothing overpowering, just smooth power.

Second Third

Here’s where things opened up. Mocha turned more into semi-sweet chocolate, and a note of toasted nuts started to poke through—almond, maybe hazelnut. A little cherry or dark fruit note showed up too, but it was faint. The balance of sweetness, earth, and spice was chef’s kiss.

Construction held up perfectly—burn line straight as a ruler, and the ash held on in solid, white chunks. Still no relights, no babysitting. Just chill smoking.

Final Third

Flavors got deeper, richer. Coffee and earth took the lead, and the sweetness faded into the background. Pepper made a slight comeback on the retrohale, and the cedar note matured into more of a toasted oak kind of vibe. Still creamy, still smooth, but definitely bolder now.

The final inch or so got warm, but never harsh. Nubbed it down till I couldn’t hold it anymore. Honestly didn’t want it to end.

⭐ Cigar Magazines & Cigar Smokers Feedback

Padron Family Reserve No. 96 Maduro

is a top-tier smoke that lives up to the hype. Halfwheel gave it a solid 91, praising its refined peppery retrohales, creamy texture, and balanced evolution from earthy to smoky notes.

halfwheel Source Here

Redditors in r/cigar_refuge and r/cigar have also chimed in, calling it “smooth, creamy yet robust,” and “one of my favorites.”

Source Reddit

This Nicaraguan puro is rich, flavorful, and built for those who appreciate a well-crafted, full-bodied cigar. With a price tag around $29.50, it’s a splurge worth considering.
halfwheel Source Here

Flavor Profile Summary

Flavor Note Presence
Dark Chocolate ★★★★☆
Coffee/Espresso ★★★★★
Pepper (Retro) ★★★☆☆
Cedar/Oak ★★★★☆
Creaminess ★★★★☆
Earth ★★★★☆
Toasted Nuts ★★★☆☆
Dark Fruit/Cherry ★★☆☆☆

Construction & Performance

Burn: Flawless. Didn’t need a single correction.
Draw: Perfect with tons of smoke.
Ash: White, dense, held well over an inch.
Smoke Time: About 1 hr 30 min with no rush.

Final Thoughts

The Padron Family Reserve No. 96 Maduro is everything you want in a high-end Nicaraguan stick—complex, rich, smooth, and ridiculously consistent. You’re paying for quality, and you get it in spades. While it’s not the strongest in the Padron family, it might just be one of the most refined.

Is it an everyday cigar? Nah, not unless you’re ballin’ hard. But for special occasions or when you want something that just hits different—this one’s hard to beat.