Holy crap.
Those were the first words that came to mind when I saw the box of Fuente y Padrón Legends for the first time. Like raindrops falling from the sky, a long list of adjectives followed as I photographed it in the studio: gigantic, overwhelming, detailed, opulent, expensive, awesome.
Fuente y Padrón Legends has been one of the most hyped cigar releases in the past 10 years—some would say one of the most hyped releases ever—so it is no great surprise that the packaging for the cigars matches that hype.
The idea of this collaboration between Arturo Fuente and Padrón—two of the most recognizable brands in the cigar industry—began in 2020 during a Cigar Rights of America (CRA) meeting at the Padrón offices in Miami. After that meeting, Carlos Fuente Jr. and Jorge Padrón discussed the idea of a singular project that would be created to honor Carlos Fuente Sr. and José O. Padrón—the two men who built their respective family companies and also each man’s father.
And so, Fuente y Padrón Legends were born.
It starts with the box itself, which is made at Arturo Fuente’s box factory and is—there is no better way to describe it—absolutely massive. It measures 29 inches x 15.5 x 4.5.
Inside are two trays: one with 20 cigars made by Fuente to honor Jose O. Padrón and another with 20 cigars made by Padrón to honor Carlos Fuente Sr. Both blends are 7 x 50 Churchill vitolas, but the cigar made by Fuente is round and covered in a cedar wrap, while the cigar made by Padrón is box-pressed and sans cedar wrap.
Besides the overall size, the first thing I noticed about the box were the depictions of both José Padrón and Carlos Fuente Sr.—along with their signatures—that are engraved in gold on either side of a giant tree. The two men’s signatures are also on the front of the box, and each box comes packaged with a leather portfolio holding a certificate of authenticity and a coin.
But the real show begins after the lid of the box is opened, revealing a veritable feast for the eyes: first, photographs and symbols honoring the two families throughout their histories are featured on each side of the inside lid, with the sources shown on the left and the Padróns on the right. In addition, the words Familia, Perseverancia and Legado—which are the Spanish words for family, perseverance and legacy—run along the inside edges of the box.
There are also two different quotes embossed on pieces of wood that are designed as part of the inside of the box surrounding the cigars in trays:
- “There are three principles I’ve lived my life by: to be humble, to be grateful to those who helped me along my life’s journey and to always uphold the integrity of the Padrón family name.” —Jose Padron
- “To me, the word “If” or “Impossible”…does not exist!!! — Carlos Fuente Sr.
- Fuente y Padrón Legends Carlos Fuente Jr. Honoring José O. Padrón (7 x 50) — $178 (Box of 40, $7,115)
- Fuente y Padrón Legends Jorge Padrón Honoring Carlos A. Fuente (7 x 50) — $178 (Box of 40, $7,115)
Of course, we can’t forget to mention the amazing bands that adorn both cigars: the main band is designed to show off an important icon for each company: the number “13” inside of a clock logo from Fuente and the little hammer logo from Padron.
Turning the band around reveals signatures from the elder Fuente and Padrón, while the back of the secondary band has the signatures of Carlito Fuente and Jorge Padrón.
At an astounding MSRP of $7,115, the box of Fuente y Padrón Legends is one of the most expensive releases of 2024, and while it will probably not fit inside humidors in most people’s houses, it is one of the most visually impressive displays I have seen in my entire life. — Brooks Whittington.
