Cigar Comparison: Padilla Signature 1932 The New Band vs. Old Band

Padilla Signature 1932 Introduction: As with the Edge Sumatra vs. the Renaissance debate, there has also been a lot of talk and question as to the difference between the old band and the new band of the Padilla Signature 1932. As I understand it, the old band was made by Don Pepin Garcia in his El Rey de Los Habanos factory in Miami, FL. In February 2008 Ernesto Padilla and Don Pepin parted ways due to manufacturing strains in Pepin’s Miami based factory. Both sides wished each other well and parted as friends. Padilla now blends and rolls some of his own cigars in his newly established Fabrica de Tabacos Padilla in Miami. Among other brands of Padilla cigars, the Signature 1932 is also rolled in Padilla’s new factory. In an email from Ernesto Padilla, he said the reason for the band change was “because the Fuente Company said it looked too much like the Casa Fuente so we changed the band to incorporate our new script logo.” He has also said recently that there have been no changes to the blend, however there are some out there that feel there is a difference between the two. The only visual way to tell the two a part is the band. The old band is on the left and the new band is on the right. The most obvious change to the new band is the Padilla name is now in a script font. There are other minor changes to the band but that is the easiest way to tell the two apart. Now let’s see if we can tell the two apart from smoking it.

The New Band: The flavors of this cigar are primarily a sweet cedary flavor, with a bit of coffee bean, cocoa, and leather in the background. There is a little bit of pepper but it was very tame and very enjoyable. As the cigar progresses into the inch mark, the flavors begin to get a little creamier. At the half way point the flavors are remaining generally the same but the pepper picks up a bit, although still enjoyable. Overall this cigar is very smooth and very well balanced. The burn was a bit off and there were some noticeable flaws in the wrapper, such as the water spots that were covered by the band, but the draw was great.

The Old Band: As with the new band the cigar is primarily a sweet cedary flavor with a bit of coffee bean, cocoa, and leather in the background. The pepper is barely there with this one and the creaminess began much later in the cigar almost in the last third of the cigar. As with the new band the cigar was very smooth and very well balanced. The burn was also off on this one but unlike the new band there were no defects in the wrapper.

The Verdict: In my opinion this is the same cigar and I believe Padilla 100% when he says there have been no changes to the blend. I have to admit that this is one of my favorite cigars. The flavors are amazing and I can’t think of a cigar that comes close to the flavor profile of this cigar. The smoothness and balance of this cigar also make it unique as well and I would say these are well worth every penny you spend on one. Weather they are the old band or the new band do yourself a favor and go get cha some!