ReviewsConnecticut & Mild
Padron Damaso No. 8 Review: The Mild Morning Corona
Reviewed cigar
Padrón Dámaso No. 8
- Brand
- Padrón
- Line
- Dámaso
- Vitola
- No. 8
- Wrapper
- Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder
- Nicaraguan
- Filler
- Nicaraguan
- Size
- 5.25 inches × 42 ring
- Strength
- Mild
- Origin
- Nicaragua
- Price
- $10–13
- Smoking Time
- 45 min
August 13, 2026
By Elena Cruz
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Padron's gentle morning corona
The Padron Damaso No. 8 is a mild corona - 5.25 by 42 - in an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over Nicaraguan filler, the smallest size in the Damaso line and a complete departure from Padron's famous full-bodied blends. It smokes cream, cedar, almond and a light buttery sweetness with just a touch of white pepper. This is Padron showing they can do restraint and refinement, not only power.
What makes it work is the marriage of a delicate blend to the right size. The slim 42-ring corona keeps the mild flavors focused and elegant where a fat gauge would dilute them, and the Padron tobacco pedigree shows in a clean, refined delivery that has more nuance than most mild cigars offer. The construction is flawless as always - clean draw, straight burn, tight pale ash. It's a genuinely well-made gentle smoke, not a watered-down afterthought.
My reservations are honest. This is a genuinely mild cigar - a full-bodied smoker will find it too light, and it's best appreciated as a morning or pre-lunch smoke rather than an evening reward. And at roughly $10-13 a stick it's premium money for a mild corona, which asks you to value the refinement over the strength. If you want the Damaso profile in a bigger, slightly fuller format, the No. 15 or No. 17 step up; if you want mild but cheaper, other Connecticut cigars undercut it. For a refined Padron morning smoke, though, this is the one.
Where it fits is the early-day cigar, the coffee companion, or the palate that prefers elegance and cream over power. It suits a smoker who appreciates a well-made mild cigar and isn't chasing a nicotine hit. It's not a beginner-only smoke and certainly not an evening powerhouse. As a refined mild corona, it's a quiet gem in the Padron range.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Damaso really a mild Padron?
Yes, and it surprises people. Padron built its name on full Nicaraguan cigars, but the Damaso is a genuinely mild Ecuadorian Connecticut blend - cream, cedar, almond. If you love the brand's power, this isn't that; it's the refined, gentle side of the house.
Is the No. 8 a good morning cigar?
It's one of my favorites for it. The mild, creamy profile pairs beautifully with coffee and won't overwhelm an empty stomach, and the slim corona size fits a shorter morning window at about forty-five minutes. That's exactly the role it plays best.
Is it worth the premium price?
That depends on what you value. At $10-13 you're paying for Padron's construction and refinement in a mild cigar, not for strength. If you appreciate a beautifully made gentle smoke it's worth it; if you judge value by power, cheaper Connecticuts will feel like better deals.
Is this a good beginner cigar?
Yes - it's mild, smooth and well-behaved, so it won't overwhelm a new smoker. Just know you're paying premium money, so many beginners start cheaper. But if you want to begin with something genuinely refined, the No. 8 is a lovely place to start.
What's a bigger version of the Damaso?
The No. 15 (6 x 54) and No. 17 (6 x 60) step up in size and nudge toward medium body, giving you more smoke and a touch more presence. If you like the Damaso profile but want more cigar, those are the sizes to move to from the No. 8.
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