Size:

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!

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Origin: Honduras

Age: fresh

This is the third of Rocky’s seasonal selections and has proved to be his most successful.  This supposedly is Rocky’s fullest blend to date, and stores have all but sold out of them.  I snagged one for myself to review before they disappeared forever (or until Rocky decides to make this into a regular line).

Rocky Patel Winter Selection '09

This ultra dark wrapper is vveiny and slightly oily.  After I clip it it draws easily and it burns evenly with a nice amount of smoke.

This has a little bite to it.  There is some acidity and woodiness, that to me gives the indication it’s not quite ready to smoke.

There is some wood I pick up halfway through with a rich tobacco core.  There are also noted of burnt coffee grouns that show up now and again.

So far I would say this is not too complex as it doesn’t really change as I smoke it.  Overall it is decent, with ok flavors that are present all the way through.  Towards the end it loses it’s balance and the flavors get muddled up.

This may be an OK cigar, but right now it needed to rest.

Rating: 81 (B-)

Vitola: Toro 

Wrapper: Costa Rican Maduro 

Origin: Honduras

I think I got this a while ago when I heard that Rocky Patel made this for Nording, whom I believe is a pipe tobacco company (anyone remeber the success of the Peterson cigar?  Yikes!)

Starts off strong with a lot of muddled flavors on the palate, common to me in most Maduros. I think I pick up roasted nuts and leather.

The draw is easy, but the burn is crooked.  This points out a good discussion point.  The trend in the industry is to go big – big strength and big ring gauge.  But I notice that big ring gauge cigars often burn poorly.  It’s almost like the Cubans know what they are talking about (most habanos are smaller than 52 ring gauge – only recently, Altadis-I’m talking to you, have they gone with some bigger cigar vitolas).

Back to the cigar.  Nothing special, but not unbearable.

Rating: 81 (B-)

Vitola: Toro     

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown     

Origin: Nicaragua

Ok, so I got this from a buddy and have been putting off smoking it for a while. 

Here’s a blurb on this cigar from Cigar.com, “While creating the award winning Rocky Patel Decade blend in 2007, production was initially taking place in a small Esteli-based factory.  However, after the first 10,000 cigars were rolled, it became apparent to the production manager that Rocky would not have enough of the aged tobaccos required to continue using this blend as Rocky Patel Decade.  Rocky was then forced to create a new blend for Decade, leaving these 10,000 beautiful vintage cigars without a home…until the folks at Cigar.com stumbled upon them!  These full-bodied cigars are available in 3 sizes and are carefully rolled using the finest Ecuadorian wrapper attainable, which imparts a variety of spicy undertones, along with notes of espresso and peat, while maintaing perfect balance.”

The draw is very loose, but the cigar is well rolled, not too spongy.  The tastes I get after lighting is a slightly spicy woodiness.  Tons of smoke billow out from every puff.

As I smoke it, it becomes creamier but there is a constant tanginess on the palate.  Also I pick up coffee and milk chocolate notes.

The ash is very flaky, which I do not care for, but otherwise a good cigar.

Rating: 88 (B+)