Size: 6 1/2″ x 52
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Origin: RP factory in Nicaragua
Age: Pre-Release – super fresh!
I received an e-mail from the folks at Rocky Patel asking if I would be interested in trying a pre-release of Rocky’s 15th Anniversary cigar. I said sure, and the cigars were at my doorsteps faster than you can say Ecuadorian Habano-seed wrapper.
I received two, this review is for the first one I smoked. Taking in to consideration that this is a pre-release you sometimes have to over look any youthful characteristics in the smoke.
The cigar has a very dark wrapper for being an Ecuadorian Habano-seed, and looks like it might have a kick to it. Considering this nice looking box-pressed cigar has all Nicaraguan filler in it, I thought it may be a welcome departure from the usual RP Honduran flavor profile.
The cigar had a nice pre-light draw and the first flavors were spicy and rich, reminiscent of the first run of Edges all those years back. There definitely was some Nicaraguan spice present in those first few draws. It also doesn’t have that dryness present in some Honduran tobacco.
I picked up some leather and wood with the pepper. There was also a little coffee on the finish.
The burn got a little off but corrected itself a few inches down the cigar. To me, this was one of Rocky’s strongest cigars to date. It reminded me a lot of Rocky’s newer cigars like the Patel Bros cigar and the last Winter Selection cigar that was a big hit with fans.
Yes, there was some youth to the cigar, that bite that accompanies a freshly rolled cigar, but this should even out in a few months.
As I finished the cigar, the pepper was still there to punch me in the face along with some nice coffee and cocoa notes.
This is a nice cigar that will mark Rocky’s amazing rise to being one of the top cigar makers in the industry, more amazing that it’s only been 15 years! Thanks again to the folks at Rocky Patel for the chance to smoke this new release before it goes out to retailers!
