Padron 1964 vs 1926: Which Anniversary Series Is Right for You?
Published by Santa Monica Cigars | The Cigar Guide
Walk into any serious cigar shop and ask for the best cigar in the world, and there's a good chance the answer involves a Padron. Walk into our humidor in Santa Monica and ask the same question, and we'll point you to one of two boxes — the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series or the Padron 1926 Serie.
Both are masterpieces. Both consistently rank among the top-rated cigars on the planet. Both are made from aged Nicaraguan tobacco at the Padron family's factory in Estelí. And both will cost you significantly more than your average cigar.
So which one should you actually buy? That's what this guide is for. We're going to break down exactly what makes each one different, who they're for, and how to choose the right one for you — whether you're treating yourself, picking a gift, or trying to settle a debate with a fellow cigar smoker.
A Quick Primer on Padron
Before we compare the two anniversary series, it helps to understand what Padron actually is.
The Padron family has been making cigars since 1964, when Jose Orlando Padron started rolling them in Miami after fleeing Cuba. The company is family-owned to this day, and the consistency of their cigars is genuinely unmatched in the industry. Every Padron uses only Nicaraguan tobacco, all of it aged for at least four years before it's even rolled into a cigar.
This level of aging is what makes Padron special. Most cigar brands age their tobacco for one to two years. Padron's standard line uses tobacco aged four years. The 1964 Anniversary uses tobacco aged at least four years. The 1926 Serie uses tobacco aged five or more years. The result is a smoothness, depth, and complexity that newer or less-aged blends simply cannot match.
Both anniversary lines come in two wrapper options — Natural and Maduro:
- Natural wrapper: Lighter brown, smoother, more cedar and nutty notes
- Maduro wrapper: Darker, fermented longer, more cocoa, espresso, and dark fruit notes
Padron 1964 Anniversary Series
The story
The 1964 Anniversary was released in 1994 to celebrate Padron's 30th anniversary. It quickly became the benchmark for what a premium Nicaraguan cigar could be — and it has held that position for over three decades.
What it tastes like
The 1964 is rich, balanced, and refined. On the Natural side you'll find notes of cedar, almonds, leather, and a subtle natural sweetness that builds as you smoke. On the Maduro side, the flavor shifts toward cocoa, espresso, dark earth, and a finish that lingers for minutes after each draw.
It's a full-flavored cigar, but it's not overwhelming. The complexity comes from the layers — every third or so of the cigar reveals something new without ever becoming harsh or one-dimensional.
How it smokes
Construction on the 1964 is virtually flawless. Even burn, perfect draw, solid ash that holds for inches at a time. This is partly what justifies the price — every cigar in the box smokes the same way.
Price range
$15–$30 per cigar depending on the size (vitola). The robusto and torpedo sizes are the most popular starting points.
Who it's for
- The cigar smoker who wants the best of the best without going to the absolute top tier
- Anyone moving up from medium-body cigars and ready for something more refined
- A reliable gift for someone who appreciates quality but doesn't smoke daily
- The cigar you reach for on a good evening — not necessarily a special occasion
Shop Padron 1964 Anniversary Series →
Padron 1926 Serie
The story
The 1926 Serie was released in 2002 to mark the 75th birthday of Jose Orlando Padron. It is the top of the Padron line — the cigar Padron makes when they're trying to make the best cigar they possibly can.
What it tastes like
The 1926 is richer, denser, and more layered than the 1964. The tobacco is aged longer, and you can taste it. Notes of dark chocolate, espresso, dried fruit, leather, and a deep earthiness that the 1964 hints at but never quite reaches. The Maduro version in particular has a fermented sweetness that feels almost like aged bourbon.
The finish is longer. The complexity is higher. The smoke itself feels heavier on the palate — not in a bad way, but in the way a great bourbon feels heavier than a great vodka.
How it smokes
The 1926 is constructed even more meticulously than the 1964. Same flawless burn, same perfect draw — but there's a density to the smoke that makes the experience feel slower and more deliberate. This isn't a cigar you smoke in a rush.
Price range
$25–$50+ per cigar. The No. 1 (a torpedo) and No. 9 (a robusto) are the most popular sizes.
Who it's for
- The experienced cigar smoker who has tried the 1964 and wants the next level
- Special occasions — milestone birthdays, anniversaries, business celebrations
- A genuinely impressive gift for someone who already knows good cigars
- The cigar you smoke when you want the experience to be the entire focus of your evening
Head to Head: The Real Differences
| Padron 1964 | Padron 1926 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1994 (30th anniversary) | 2002 (75th birthday) |
| Tobacco age | 4+ years | 5+ years |
| Body | Medium-full to full | Full |
| Complexity | High | Exceptional |
| Price range | $15–$30 | $25–$50+ |
| Best for | Regular premium smoking | Special occasions |
| Smoke time | 60–90 minutes | 75–120 minutes |
So Which One Should You Buy?
Here's the honest breakdown after years of selling both in our humidor:
Buy the Padron 1964 if:
- This is your first Padron and you want to see what the brand is about
- You smoke premium cigars regularly and want a benchmark to compare against
- You want incredible quality without crossing into the $50 per cigar range
- You're buying for someone who appreciates fine cigars but isn't a hardcore enthusiast
Buy the Padron 1926 if:
- You've already smoked the 1964 and want to see what's above it
- The occasion is genuinely special — a milestone, a celebration, a once-a-year smoke
- You're buying a gift for someone who you know already appreciates premium cigars
- You want the closest thing to a perfect cigar that money can buy
The honest truth? Both are world-class. The 1964 gives you 90% of the experience of the 1926 at roughly half the price. If you're buying one box, get the 1964. If you're buying for an occasion that matters, get the 1926.
Natural or Maduro?
Once you've decided between 1964 and 1926, you still need to pick a wrapper. Here's the quick guidance:
Choose Natural if:
- You prefer cedar, nuts, leather, and subtle sweetness
- You're newer to full-body cigars and want a smoother entry
- You're pairing with lighter spirits — bourbon, lighter Scotch, aged rum
Choose Maduro if:
- You love dark chocolate, espresso, and deep earthy flavors
- You're an experienced full-body smoker
- You're pairing with bold spirits — Islay Scotch, dark rum, port wine
There's no wrong answer here. We sell both in roughly equal quantities, and most experienced Padron smokers eventually keep both in their humidor.
A Quick Word on Counterfeits
Because Padron is one of the most valuable cigar brands in the world, counterfeits exist. Buy from a reputable cigar shop — like ours — that sources directly from authorized distributors. If a deal seems too good to be true (1964 Anniversaries for $8 a stick), it almost certainly is.
Every Padron we carry comes directly from our authorized supply chain and is stored in our walk-in humidor at perfect temperature and humidity until you take it home.
Try Both — With Our Subscription Box
If you can't decide, our Chairman tier subscription features premium cigars like Padron 1964 and 1926 in a rotating monthly selection. It's the easiest way to experience the full Padron range alongside other world-class cigars without committing to a full box.
Explore the Santa Monica Cigar Club →
Come See Us
If you want to see both lines in person, smell them, and get a recommendation tailored to what you actually like — come into our Santa Monica humidor. We have the full Padron 1964 and 1926 lineup in stock, in every available size and both wrappers.
Santa Monica Cigars 120 Broadway Ste 103, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Mon–Thu 10am–8pm | Fri–Sun 10am–9pm (310) 310-8328
