Quick answer: Padron 1964 Anniversary celebrates 1964, the year Jose Orlando Padron started rolling cigars in Miami after fleeing Cuba. The line uses all-Nicaraguan tobacco aged at least four years, in box-pressed format. Two wrappers, both Nicaraguan (Natural sun-grown Habano, Maduro a darker maduro shade). Eight core vitolas plus additional sizes. Prices $14 to $28 per cigar.
I bought my first box of Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduros in 2018 at a closeout sale. The price was $250 for a box of 25. I thought it was a typo. It was not. Padron 1964 is one of the most consistently rated premium cigars in the world and at the time was priced at the upper end of accessible luxury. Today the same box runs $400 to $500. The cigars are still worth it. The 1964 line has earned more 90-plus ratings than almost any other cigar in production and remains the gold standard for box-pressed Nicaraguan Maduros.
This guide covers the dedicated 1964 Anniversary line. Every vitola, every wrapper, what to expect, and how to pick the right 1964 for what you want.
What Is Padron 1964 Anniversary?
Padron 1964 Anniversary is the mid-tier premium line within Padron's three-tier portfolio, sitting between the everyday Padron Series and the ultra-premium Padron Family Reserve. Released in 1994 to commemorate the company's 30th anniversary, the line is named for 1964, the year Jose Orlando Padron started rolling cigars in Miami after fleeing Cuba. All 1964 cigars are box-pressed (square-cornered rather than round), use all-Nicaraguan tobacco aged at least four years before rolling, and come in two wrapper variants, both Nicaraguan: Natural (Nicaraguan Habano-seed, sun-grown) and Maduro (the same Nicaraguan Habano leaf taken to a darker maduro shade). Padron is a Nicaraguan puro, so there is no Mexican or Connecticut leaf in the blend. The 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo Natural was named Cigar Aficionado's Cigar of the Year for 2021 with a 97 rating. Eight of the most common vitolas (No. 4, Torpedo, Exclusivo, Imperial, Monarca, Belicoso, Diplomatico, Superior) anchor the line, with other sizes like the Corona, Principe, and the large A
(8.25 x 50) plus periodic TAA retailer exclusives rounding it out. Prices run $14 to $28 per cigar.
How 1964 Differs From Other Padron Lines
Cigar Aficionado's Padron 1964 Torpedo Natural Cigar of the Year writeup lays out the editorial case for the line; that decision pushed Padron 1964 firmly into the must-try premium Nicaraguan
category. Padron's three premium tiers each occupy a distinct position:
Padron Series (the everyday line, $9 to $14 per stick) is the entry tier with all-Nicaraguan tobacco aged 2.5 years.
Padron 1964 Anniversary ($14 to $30) is the mid-tier with tobacco aged at least 4 years and box-pressed construction.
Padron 1926 Anniversary ($18 to $30) is the fuller-body sister line with tobacco aged 5 years. The 1926 leans bolder and spicier than the 1964.
Padron Family Reserve ($25 to $50 plus) is the luxury tier with tobacco aged around 10 years.
The 1964 is where most premium Padron buyers start. It is widely available, consistently constructed, and demonstrates everything Padron does well at a price most enthusiasts can justify. The full Padron complete brand guide covers the brand context.
Padron 1964 Vitolas at a Glance
Each vitola is available in both Natural and Maduro wrappers; the Maduro typically runs $1 to $3 higher per stick. Larger and special-edition sizes (the A,
TAA exclusives, anniversary editions) sit at the upper end of the range.
Natural vs Maduro: Which to Pick
The 1964 line comes in two wrapper variants:
Natural uses a Nicaraguan Habano-seed sun-grown wrapper. Medium-full body. Flavor: cedar, toasted nuts, light pepper, slight cocoa, refined finish. The Natural is excellent for smokers who prefer slightly less intensity or want a morning smoke. Cigar Aficionado named the 1964 Natural Torpedo their Cigar of the Year, so this wrapper has earned its own following.
Maduro uses a Nicaraguan Habano-seed leaf taken to a darker maduro shade, not a Mexican or Connecticut wrapper. Full body. Flavor: dark chocolate, espresso, cocoa, leather, cedar, complex pepper finish. The Maduro is more famous and more commonly recommended. Cigar enthusiasts who try both often prefer the Maduro for its richer body.
For full-body picks beyond Padron, see the strong cigars guide.
How 1964 Tastes
First third: cedar and toasted nuts on the Natural; cocoa and dark coffee on the Maduro. White pepper at the back of the throat. Construction tight; draw resistance light to medium.
Second third: the line's signature complexity arrives. Natural picks up almond and slight sweetness. Maduro picks up dark chocolate, espresso, and a touch of leather. The white pepper from the first third softens and integrates.
Final third: Natural settles into a long cedar-and-cream finish. Maduro builds intensity with espresso, cocoa, and a peppery edge. Both finish smoothly without harsh notes if smoked at a steady 45-to-60-second puff cadence.
The Padron 1964 lineup is one of the few premium lines where you can buy a box and trust that every cigar will smoke the same. Construction consistency is genuinely industry-leading.
Best 1964 Vitola to Start With
Exclusivo Maduro (5.5 x 50) is one of the most popular and most-recommended single vitolas in the entire Padron lineup. Box-pressed, full-body, classic dark chocolate and espresso profile, about 75-minute smoke time. Most smokers' first 1964 should be this one.
For maximum flavor concentration, the Belicoso Maduro (5 x 52) is the connoisseur pick. The tapered head focuses smoke at the cap, intensifying flavor.
For a longer evening smoke, the Imperial Maduro (6 x 54) delivers 90 minutes of complex flavor evolution.
For the Cigar of the Year experience, the Torpedo Natural (6 x 52) is the historical pick.
How Much Do Padron 1964 Cigars Cost?
MSRP ranges $14 to $28 per stick depending on vitola. Maduro versions run $1 to $3 higher than Natural. Boxes of 25 cigars run roughly $350 to $700 at MSRP. Larger and special-edition sizes (the A,
anniversary editions) run higher when available.
Prices vary 30 to 40 percent across retailers. Multi-stick or box purchases typically bring per-cigar pricing into the lower end of these ranges. The 9 best cigars for the money page compares 1964 to other premium-tier picks.
Where to Buy Padron 1964
Padron 1964 is widely distributed at our partner retailers. We track active codes for Famous Smoke and Cigars International, both of which carry the Natural and Maduro lineup across the standard vitolas. The best places to buy cigars online comparison covers retailer-by-retailer pricing, and you can compare individual 1964 vitolas across the network on the single cigars pages.
Aging Padron 1964
Padron 1964 cigars are sold ready to smoke. The four-year pre-rolling tobacco aging means the cigars do not need additional aging.
That said, many smokers report that 1964 cigars improve with an additional 2 to 5 years of humidor aging. The flavors integrate further, the wrapper develops slight oils, and the burn becomes even more refined. For optimal aging, store at 65 to 68 percent RH. The storage and aging cornerstone covers humidor setup.
Trying to choose between Exclusivo Maduro and Belicoso Maduro for tonight? Tap the chat bubble at the bottom right of any cigarfinder.com page and ask Cigar Finder AI based on your time and pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Padron 1964 cigar?
The Exclusivo Maduro (5.5 x 50) is one of the most popular and best-selling single vitolas in the entire Padron lineup.
What is the difference between Padron 1964 Natural and Maduro?
Natural uses a Nicaraguan Habano sun-grown wrapper, medium-full body, cedar and nut notes. Maduro uses the same Nicaraguan Habano leaf taken to a darker maduro shade, full body, chocolate and espresso notes. Both are Nicaraguan puros.
Are all Padron 1964 cigars box-pressed?
Yes. All vitolas in the 1964 Anniversary line are box-pressed (square-cornered) rather than round.
How long are Padron 1964 tobaccos aged?
At least four years before rolling. This is longer than most premium cigar brands age tobacco.
Where are Padron 1964 cigars made?
All Padron 1964 cigars are handcrafted at the family's factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, from 100 percent Nicaraguan tobacco. The company keeps its headquarters in Miami, where Jose Orlando Padron founded the business in 1964.
Is Padron 1964 a full-body cigar?
The Maduro version is full body. The Natural version is medium-full. Both are richer than typical medium
cigars.
Can Padron 1964 be aged further?
Yes. While Padron 1964 is sold ready to smoke, additional 2 to 5 years of humidor aging often improves flavor integration.
How does Padron 1964 compare to Family Reserve?
Family Reserve uses tobacco aged around 10 years versus 4 years for 1964. Family Reserve is more refined, complex, and expensive ($25 to $50 per cigar versus $14 to $28 for 1964).
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