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Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto Named Cigar of the Year 2025

  • 2 days ago
  • 5 min read

With an outstanding 97-point rating, this celebratory cigar has earned its place at the pinnacle of the industry, reinforcing Padrón’s long-standing reputation as best of the best with an unmatched 5 times No.1 Cigar title to prove it.


What's even more exciting? Although production is extremely limited, a special allocation is on its way to the UK market.


Capture from Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 2025
Capture from Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 2025

Each year, the cigar community pauses to take note of the Cigar Aficionado Top 25, a definitive ranking that celebrates the finest cigars in both the New World and the Old. For 2025, the top honour has been awarded to a truly exceptional smoke, namely the Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto.



A Celebration of 60 Years of Mastery

The Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto is more than just a cigar; it is a tribute to six decades of dedication to the craft. Created to mark the brand’s 60th anniversary, this limited, double-tapered perfecto is a showcase of everything that defines Padrón. Whether you’re new to the brand or have been enjoying it for years, this cigar presents meticulous construction, expertly aged Nicaraguan tobacco, and a relentless commitment to quality. 



This isn’t a shape Padrón produces often. In fact, it’s only the second perfecto the brand has ever released commercially, making it a rare and highly sought-after format. The result is a cigar that feels both celebratory and refined, which is a fitting homage to a brand that has evolved from humble beginnings in Miami’s Little Havana in 1964 to one of the most respected names in premium cigars today.



A Rightly Deserved Accolade

Awards like this aren’t given lightly. Cigar Aficionado’s ranking process involves blind tastings, multiple rounds of evaluation and direct comparisons between the highest-rated cigars of the year. So, what makes the Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto stand out? It comes down to balance, complexity and consistency. 


It’s a rich smoke, stronger than many Padróns. Once you work your way through the narrow foot, the draw opens up, and the flavour parade truly begins. Here comes malted milk. Next, the creamy coffee like a café au lait, then the chocolate. It’s one of those tremendous cigars that reveals a bit more of itself as it slowly burns, inch by inch, and just keeps getting better. It’s considerably hard to put one down. - David Savona

Expect a layered profile with notes of cocoa, coffee and malted sweetness, evolving throughout the smoke and finishing with hints of citrus and chocolate. Construction is equally impressive, delivering an even burn and effortless draw from start to finish, which are the hallmarks of a truly elite cigar. 


Reviewers have described it as both visually striking and deeply satisfying, combining bold flavour with a smooth, refined character that appeals to seasoned aficionados and collectors. In short, it doesn’t just meet expectations, it defines them.

Before earning the ultimate title, it was featured as Cigar of the Week at the beginning of June 2025, earning a solid 93 points rating. In their blind tasting protocol down the line, the rating jumped to 97. Watch the video below:



There’s No Higher Recognition

To understand the significance of this achievement, it’s important to identify the authority behind it. Cigar Aficionado is widely regarded as one of, if not the, most influential publications in the cigar world. Its annual Top 25 is followed globally by enthusiasts, retailers and industry leaders alike. 


Being named Cigar of the Year is a mark of distinction that reflects consistency, creativity and universal appeal. For Padrón, this recognition further cements a legacy built on family tradition, expertise in Nicaraguan tobacco, and decades of critically acclaimed releases.


Jorge and the late José Orlando Padrón, father & son, sharing a laugh in the 2010s.
Jorge and the late José Orlando Padrón, father & son, sharing a laugh in the 2010s.

Understanding the Padrón Heritage

If you're interested in exploring more on the family's tobacco heritage, dedicate an hour to watch the following insightful videos.


The first features narration by the patriarch and founder, Orlando José Padrón, alongside his son Jorge Padrón, who leads the company and particularly led the creation of the 60th Anniversary blend to honour the family business established by his father:



The second is a personal interview between Scott Vines of Tor and Jorge Padrón Jr at James J. Fox during his 2024 visit to London:



TOR Imports and Padrón: A Partnership Built on Quality

We take immense pride in working with brands that share our commitment to quality and authenticity, and Padrón is a perfect example. As the exclusive distributor of Padrón cigars in the UK, we’ve seen first-hand the respect and admiration this brand commands among retailers and cigar enthusiasts. 


José Orlando Padrón and Scott Vines share a laugh during a meeting at the Padrón HQ in Miami in 2017.
José Orlando Padrón and Scott Vines share a laugh during a meeting at the Padrón HQ in Miami in 2017.
The Tor and Padrón teams in their fields in Nicaragua, in January 2026. From left to right: Alfonso Scherzi, Gabriel Padrón, Scott Vines, Jorge Padrón, Alfonso M. Padrón, Jorge Padrón Jr and Carlos Zúñiga.
The Tor and Padrón teams in their fields in Nicaragua, in January 2026. From left to right: Alfonso Scherzi, Gabriel Padrón, Scott Vines, Jorge Padrón, Alfonso M. Padrón, Jorge Padrón Jr and Carlos Zúñiga.

We've had the pleasure to engage in multiple educational trips at the origin, and most notably, to share this experience with leading retail specialits in the UK as part por our Tor Tour experience. Here's a glimpse of the Tor Tor 2024 with the Padróns:


A strong Portfolio

From the iconic 1964 Anniversary Series to the celebrated 1926 range, Padrón has consistently delivered cigars that combine heritage with innovation. The 60th Anniversary Perfecto is simply the latest expression of that philosophy and arguably the finest yet. This award is not just a win for Padrón, but a moment of pride for everyone involved in bringing these cigars to market. No other factory in the world has claimed as many No.1 spots from any publication, nevertheless from Cigar Aficionado:

*You can check the all-time list of Cigar Aficionado's No.1 cigars at: https://www.tor-imports.co.uk/numberones


Our offering for the UK market luckily includes these award-winning smokes and other iterations by the family, such as the Padrón Dámaso and Padrón 2000.


A Fitting Winner for 2025

The Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto represents everything that makes premium cigars special: tradition, craftsmanship and a dedication to excellence that spans generations. Its enviable status as Cigar Aficionado’s number one cigar of 2025 feels not only deserved, but inevitable. 


For aficionados, it’s a must-try. For collectors, a standout addition. And for the industry as a whole, it’s a reminder of what can be achieved when passion and precision come together. 


Discover the award-winning range from Padrón, available in the UK exclusively through TOR, The New World Cigar Distributor.

 
 
 

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