I unexpectedly stumbled into a Rocky Patel event at one of my local haunts this week, and bought a small handful of the new Fifteenth Anniversary robustos. Go me!
The Fifteeth has an aged Habano wrapper, which was nowhere near the black pepper spice of the Perdomo, Oliva, or Cain Habano wrappers. In fact, instead of the typical Habano tingle on my lips, I tasted a more earthy citrus, which screams Rocky Patel anyway.
The cigar lit readily, and burned straight, the draw was excellent on this box-pressed robusto. The flavors start with citrus and coffee, with only the mildest spice in the background. After the first inch the coffee notes became more pronounced. The spice as really mild through the whole cigar. I drank my morning coffee with this almost medium-bodied stick.
The smoke was creamy and plentiful.
The Fifteeth Anniversary is a signature Rocky Patel cigar, and though I may balk a bit at the cash register price of $11.
Showing posts with label Rocky Patel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rocky Patel. Show all posts
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
First Impressions: ITC Split Decision
I've had these sticks hidden in the cooler for at least 6 months, and decided today was the day. I took my cigar, soda, and chair down to the park to watch the medieval re-enactors beat each other with rattan swords. Once set up, I got down to business with the ITC Split Decision connecticut shade/maduro barberpole.
The cigar gave a pre-light aroma of sweet hay and dry cocoa, and felt a little on the spongy side. The draw felt a bit on the loose side. Once lit, I got some mild flavors of nut, coca, and hay, which would flex to medium at unpredictable intervals.
The cigar burned off on one side, due to the bunching of the fillers, and I could follow a nice void down the side of the cigar. I touched up the slower burning side every inch or so.
I thought the flavors were okay, but a bit mild for my tastes, and I hope the next one is rolled better.
The cigar gave a pre-light aroma of sweet hay and dry cocoa, and felt a little on the spongy side. The draw felt a bit on the loose side. Once lit, I got some mild flavors of nut, coca, and hay, which would flex to medium at unpredictable intervals.
The cigar burned off on one side, due to the bunching of the fillers, and I could follow a nice void down the side of the cigar. I touched up the slower burning side every inch or so.
I thought the flavors were okay, but a bit mild for my tastes, and I hope the next one is rolled better.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Rocky Patel Winter Collection robusto
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It takes a little while for cigars to get to Nebraska cigar shops, as evidenced by the Rocky Patel Winter Collection showing up the first week of March. So, I snagged a pair and smoked them both only days apart.
The first half-inch is magnificent, like my favorite maduros (Camacho Triple Maduro, Oliva Serie O maduro), bold, spicy and earthy. The rest of the cigar is more akin to RP Edge maduro or even RP Vintage 1992, which isn't bad, but it's not near as good as the beginning of the cigar.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Rocky Patel Fusion
Rocky Patel Fusion robusto
$5, Size: 5.5", Ring: 50.
Habano wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut binder, with Cameroon, Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers.
As we draw near to Lent, a time of thoughtful meditation and self-sacrifice, I wanted to smoke something of repute before donning the sackcloth and ashes. Rocky Patel has been fairly prolific in recent years, and this is one of many different cigars he's blended to different concepts. The Fusion uses two wrapper tobaccos, with the Connecticut tobacco as a binder, and a Habano wrapper jacketing the entire package.
My cigar's Habano wrapper was smooth, had few veins, and was glossy. A light, almost floral aroma issued from it. The cigar felt moderately packed, with a nicely balanced draw once the cap was punched. I had no problems getting nice volumes of smoke, and a white ash stuck over an inch beyond the chronically wobbly burn line. Still, I only had to do a touch-up to the burn once.
The flavors were fairly mild to start, of lightly toasted nut and a mild wood note. There was a pepper flavor lurking, but really didn't come out to shine until after the second inch. By that time, the wood note had become more pronounced and cedar-like, blending well with the spicy white pepper flavor.
The overall flavors were between mild and medium, and the cigar had a bit of nicotine to it. Not a bad smoke, and I've got three more napping.
$5, Size: 5.5", Ring: 50.
Habano wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut binder, with Cameroon, Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers.
As we draw near to Lent, a time of thoughtful meditation and self-sacrifice, I wanted to smoke something of repute before donning the sackcloth and ashes. Rocky Patel has been fairly prolific in recent years, and this is one of many different cigars he's blended to different concepts. The Fusion uses two wrapper tobaccos, with the Connecticut tobacco as a binder, and a Habano wrapper jacketing the entire package.
My cigar's Habano wrapper was smooth, had few veins, and was glossy. A light, almost floral aroma issued from it. The cigar felt moderately packed, with a nicely balanced draw once the cap was punched. I had no problems getting nice volumes of smoke, and a white ash stuck over an inch beyond the chronically wobbly burn line. Still, I only had to do a touch-up to the burn once.
The flavors were fairly mild to start, of lightly toasted nut and a mild wood note. There was a pepper flavor lurking, but really didn't come out to shine until after the second inch. By that time, the wood note had become more pronounced and cedar-like, blending well with the spicy white pepper flavor.
The overall flavors were between mild and medium, and the cigar had a bit of nicotine to it. Not a bad smoke, and I've got three more napping.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Rocky Patel OSG
Rocky Patel OSG petite corona
$ ??, Size: 4.5", Ring: 44
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
[cue music]
Rocky Patel: Original Sun Grown
An increasingly successful
tobacco blender, Rocky Patel,
designed a cigar using sun-grown
Honduran wrappers. The project was
interrupted by business issues at the factory,
and the first batch of cigars stored while Rocky
searched for other production facilities. After a new
start at a new factory, and with development of the Vintage
series completed, Rocky returned his attention to sun-grown
tobacco. He started over from the beginning, with the results being
the popular Sun Grown line. The cigars from the initial run at the first
factory were branded OSG, and then unleashed upon an unsuspecting galaxy..
The point is, after these are gone, they're gone, baby. Luckily, I managed to snag one, and now you get to hear about it.
The wrapper was a non-conformist in color: a burl/marbled appearance in tawny colors. Almost like a cafe au lait camoflage. While fairly smooth, there were a few pronounced veins, but they were hard to spot behind the camoflage. A squeeze was met with firm resistance, and the draw was easy. The burn was pretty straight, and ash held for more than 2 inches before thumping to the ground.
At first light, the flavor was immediately present with a sweet, nutty taste with some tangy component that's hard to describe. After the first inch, the tanginess and sweetness subsided, and the flavor became more like cedar and nuts in a medium-bodied presentation. Mid-cigar, a white pepper aftertaste began building, then appeared in the main flavor with the cedar. The cedar taste grew stronger and woodier towards the finish.
Rocky's OSG was a pretty good cigar, and I've heard even better things about its descendent, the Sun Grown.
" Sun Grown, Rocky Patel never told you what happened to your father."
" No. I AM your father.."
" Search your fillers, you know it to be true."
$ ??, Size: 4.5", Ring: 44
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
[cue music]
Rocky Patel: Original Sun Grown
An increasingly successful
tobacco blender, Rocky Patel,
designed a cigar using sun-grown
Honduran wrappers. The project was
interrupted by business issues at the factory,
and the first batch of cigars stored while Rocky
searched for other production facilities. After a new
start at a new factory, and with development of the Vintage
series completed, Rocky returned his attention to sun-grown
tobacco. He started over from the beginning, with the results being
the popular Sun Grown line. The cigars from the initial run at the first
factory were branded OSG, and then unleashed upon an unsuspecting galaxy..
The point is, after these are gone, they're gone, baby. Luckily, I managed to snag one, and now you get to hear about it.
The wrapper was a non-conformist in color: a burl/marbled appearance in tawny colors. Almost like a cafe au lait camoflage. While fairly smooth, there were a few pronounced veins, but they were hard to spot behind the camoflage. A squeeze was met with firm resistance, and the draw was easy. The burn was pretty straight, and ash held for more than 2 inches before thumping to the ground.
At first light, the flavor was immediately present with a sweet, nutty taste with some tangy component that's hard to describe. After the first inch, the tanginess and sweetness subsided, and the flavor became more like cedar and nuts in a medium-bodied presentation. Mid-cigar, a white pepper aftertaste began building, then appeared in the main flavor with the cedar. The cedar taste grew stronger and woodier towards the finish.
Rocky's OSG was a pretty good cigar, and I've heard even better things about its descendent, the Sun Grown.
" Sun Grown, Rocky Patel never told you what happened to your father."
" He told me enough. He told me you killed him."
" No. I AM your father.."
" No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!"
" Search your fillers, you know it to be true."
" Noooooo..."
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Reo
Reo robusto
$7/ 5pk., Size: 5", Ring: 52 box-pressed
Costa Rican Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Honduran and Nicaraguan mixed fillers
Rolled in Danli, Hounduras, the Reo is an EO Brands/United Tobacco cigar blended to their spec and made by Rocky Patel. I got a 5-pack from CBid, let the cigars hang out for a week, then smoked the first.
Reo's wrapper is a nice, medium-dark maduro, glossy, and sporting some moderate veins. The cigar was fairly firm, but the draw loose, and I had to keep puffing on it to keep it lit. Even still, I needed to relight twice, and do a bit of touch-up on the wrapper in between. The crumbly grey ash dropped after an inch.
The first 3/4 inch tasted like an unfiltered Marlboro; Harsh tobacco flavor with no pleasant attributes. After an inch a roasted nut flavor came in, but it was harsh and edgy. Mid-cigar, it mellowed to an earthy cedar, tasting like a Tierra Del Sol, and there it stayed for the duration. The finish on my palate was reminiscent of varnish or shellac.
For a cigar from a well-esteemed blender, I was a bit let down. Reviews from just a year prior to my purchase hailed the Reo as a good cigar, so I expected a little more from it. After letting the cigars rest for a couple more months:
Stogie Review smoked the Reo robusto back in Nov. '06.
$7/ 5pk., Size: 5", Ring: 52 box-pressed
Costa Rican Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Honduran and Nicaraguan mixed fillers
Rolled in Danli, Hounduras, the Reo is an EO Brands/United Tobacco cigar blended to their spec and made by Rocky Patel. I got a 5-pack from CBid, let the cigars hang out for a week, then smoked the first.
Reo's wrapper is a nice, medium-dark maduro, glossy, and sporting some moderate veins. The cigar was fairly firm, but the draw loose, and I had to keep puffing on it to keep it lit. Even still, I needed to relight twice, and do a bit of touch-up on the wrapper in between. The crumbly grey ash dropped after an inch.
The first 3/4 inch tasted like an unfiltered Marlboro; Harsh tobacco flavor with no pleasant attributes. After an inch a roasted nut flavor came in, but it was harsh and edgy. Mid-cigar, it mellowed to an earthy cedar, tasting like a Tierra Del Sol, and there it stayed for the duration. The finish on my palate was reminiscent of varnish or shellac.
For a cigar from a well-esteemed blender, I was a bit let down. Reviews from just a year prior to my purchase hailed the Reo as a good cigar, so I expected a little more from it. After letting the cigars rest for a couple more months:
Stogie Review smoked the Reo robusto back in Nov. '06.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Fire by Indian Tabac Maduro
Fire by Indian Tabac maduro robusto
$3.60 (B&M), Size: 4.5", Ring: 52
Costa Rican maduro wrapper, USA Connecticut Broadleaf binder, Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers
Fire, a cigar blended by Rocky Patel, is a nicely balanced blend of triple fermented wrapper and fillers.
The triple-fermented Costa Rican wrapper is a medium chocolate color, toothy, and with a few pronounced veins. To a squeeze, the cigar feels nice and solid.
Initial draw has some moderate resistance, feels almost tight. There must be some tobacco inside the wrapper! The draw felt a little restrained while smoking, but never being difficult. Like its namesake, my Fire burned a bit unpredictably, requiring a remedial torching mid-way through the cigar. The ash was a light, mottled gray and held for an inch or so.
Prelight flavors of maduro-sweet wood with some pepper promised a tasty smoke to come. After toasting, the flavors are immediately smooth and present, tasting of leather and roasted peppers. The flavors immediately struck me as very similar to the La Gloria Cubana maduro, but a shade milder and slightly sweeter. After the first inch, the flavor mellowed some, with a roasted nut harmonic appearing. Halfway, a sweet pepper flavor crept into the finish, remaining in the background through the rest of the smoke.
Fire is a tasty, medium-bodied smoke, and another fine job by Rocky Patel. I'll have to hunt up a couple more, and save them for my rainy day.
$3.60 (B&M), Size: 4.5", Ring: 52
Costa Rican maduro wrapper, USA Connecticut Broadleaf binder, Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers
"I have only one burnin' desire; let me stand next to your... fire" - Jimi Hendrix, Fire
Fire, a cigar blended by Rocky Patel, is a nicely balanced blend of triple fermented wrapper and fillers.
The triple-fermented Costa Rican wrapper is a medium chocolate color, toothy, and with a few pronounced veins. To a squeeze, the cigar feels nice and solid.
Initial draw has some moderate resistance, feels almost tight. There must be some tobacco inside the wrapper! The draw felt a little restrained while smoking, but never being difficult. Like its namesake, my Fire burned a bit unpredictably, requiring a remedial torching mid-way through the cigar. The ash was a light, mottled gray and held for an inch or so.
Prelight flavors of maduro-sweet wood with some pepper promised a tasty smoke to come. After toasting, the flavors are immediately smooth and present, tasting of leather and roasted peppers. The flavors immediately struck me as very similar to the La Gloria Cubana maduro, but a shade milder and slightly sweeter. After the first inch, the flavor mellowed some, with a roasted nut harmonic appearing. Halfway, a sweet pepper flavor crept into the finish, remaining in the background through the rest of the smoke.
Fire is a tasty, medium-bodied smoke, and another fine job by Rocky Patel. I'll have to hunt up a couple more, and save them for my rainy day.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Maduro
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 maduro toro
$15/ 5 pk., Size: 6.5", Ring 52
Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan and Dominican filler
When you say the name "Rocky" to someone, a variety of images can be conjured. A crook-nosed boxer. A cartoon flying squirrel. But to a cigar smoker, "Rocky" evokes a masterful tobacco blender.
The Vintage 1992 is a box-pressed cigar, sporting a 10-year old jacket of sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatra tobacco and some well-aged Nicaraguan binder and filler. This cigar has been around a while, so if they've been taken care of, they should be mellow and flavorful. I got a 5 pack from CBid and was a bit surprised: three were a nice chocolate brown, while the other two were much darker. Being partial to maduro cigars, I went with the darker of the cigars.
The wrapper is a dark brown, almost oscuro, with subtle veining and smooth, almost oily. The cap on mine complained about the punch, causing some flaking which spread to all three layers of cap. Once lit, the burn occasionally got warbled to the point of needing some extra torching. Still, the white ash held for two inches, then fell solid like a discarded cork. Drawing through the cigar is nicely balanced, indicating a good job of rolling the filler.
Onto the smoking bit, the flavor was mild to medium, starting with a smooth leather with dark wood notes. I could taste a distinctive tone of the Nicaraguan tobacco used. The wood note subsides mid-cigar, to be replaced by a sweet spice finish at the back of the palate. The smoke was not thin, but it wasn't particularly full either.
While not quite as full or rich as the Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend, this is still a great cigar. Chalk up another knockout for Rocky.
Cigar Jack smoked a Vintage 1992 robusto back in October '07.
$15/ 5 pk., Size: 6.5", Ring 52
Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan and Dominican filler
When you say the name "Rocky" to someone, a variety of images can be conjured. A crook-nosed boxer. A cartoon flying squirrel. But to a cigar smoker, "Rocky" evokes a masterful tobacco blender.
The Vintage 1992 is a box-pressed cigar, sporting a 10-year old jacket of sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatra tobacco and some well-aged Nicaraguan binder and filler. This cigar has been around a while, so if they've been taken care of, they should be mellow and flavorful. I got a 5 pack from CBid and was a bit surprised: three were a nice chocolate brown, while the other two were much darker. Being partial to maduro cigars, I went with the darker of the cigars.
The wrapper is a dark brown, almost oscuro, with subtle veining and smooth, almost oily. The cap on mine complained about the punch, causing some flaking which spread to all three layers of cap. Once lit, the burn occasionally got warbled to the point of needing some extra torching. Still, the white ash held for two inches, then fell solid like a discarded cork. Drawing through the cigar is nicely balanced, indicating a good job of rolling the filler.
Onto the smoking bit, the flavor was mild to medium, starting with a smooth leather with dark wood notes. I could taste a distinctive tone of the Nicaraguan tobacco used. The wood note subsides mid-cigar, to be replaced by a sweet spice finish at the back of the palate. The smoke was not thin, but it wasn't particularly full either.
While not quite as full or rich as the Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend, this is still a great cigar. Chalk up another knockout for Rocky.
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Cigar Jack smoked a Vintage 1992 robusto back in October '07.
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