Smoked: Padilla 1968 Black Bear

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

Padilla 1968 Black Bear is a tribute to the year Ernesto Padilla was imprisoned for criticizing Fidel Castro. Imagine how much time he would have spent in prison had he criticized Castro’s Cohibas. The Black Bear uses either Nicaraguan or Honduran fillers depending upon whom you believe and either a Connecticut or a Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Wasn’t Johnny Carson the host of a game show called Who Do You Trust before hosting The Tonight Show? The Padillas should have been contestants.

The flavors are minimal and quite ordinary – earth, wood, leather, a touch of spice, chocolate and bread/toast. What flavors were there faded to earth, wood and leather by the finish line. That may have been the original name of a very successful R&B band from the 70s.

Decent construction – fair smoke output (could use more), draw a bit tight (needed Perfect Draw to open it up), some minor wrapper issues during the final third.

Padilla 1968 Black Bear is OK. Alright. Exceedingly mediocre. Give it a 3 and consider that generous.