The World Cigar Smoking Championship by Rocky Patel ushers in a new decade for the Cigar Smoking World Championship. The Cigar Smoking World Championship is an international competition of “slow smoking” of cigars. Competitors compete in how slow they can smoke their cigar with time penalties given for such things as breaking your ash or burning the competition ring (cigar band).
The official size of the competition is the 5 1/8 x 42 Mareva which, in 2019, was smoked non-stop from the initial light for 3 hours, 26 minutes and 8 seconds.
Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Cigar Smoking World Championship
Wrapper: San Andres
Binder: Costa Rica & Panama (Dual Binder)
Fillers: Honduras & Nicaragua
Length: 5 1/8″
Gauge: 42
Size: Mareva (Corona)
The Look: The Mareva size of the line comes in boxes of 10, however the other sizes come in boxes of 20. Packaged in a cabinet style box of blonde cedar, the cigar utilizes colors of orange foil with an orange foot band. The San Andres wrapper isn’t as dark as the Vintage 2006, but has a more pristine appearance. In the hand the cigar is firm to the touch and a well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw off the CSWC has a notes of cedar and grain with a touch of sunflower seeds, while the aroma of the foot of the cigar mimics the cold draw perfectly. Upon lighting up the retrohale is loaded with with pepper catching me off guard.
As we worked our way into the first third of the cigar sees notes of mocha and rye, however if the cigar isn’t smoked slow there is an abundance of pepper. Perhaps this is done on purpose as the size is meant to slow smoke for the world championship.
The second third sees mocha become the dominant note with a hint of Brussel sprouts and French roast coffee that really shows on the retrohale and finish of this corona sized smoke. As the second third comes to a close an earthy component increases in intensity.
As we finish up the last third things change up considerably with the addition of pistachios and celery salt with the latter lingering on the long finish of this delicious cigar from Rocky Patel.
The Finish: If you are going to smoke a cigar for 3 hours like those who complete in the championship you want it to have some complexity and flavor changes just to keep you interested. If you are going to smoke for enjoyment, you want those changes as well. One thing is for certain this is not a novelty smoke, it’s a bonafide winner from Rocky Patel.
Score: 94
Price: $9.89 / $175.99 (Box of 10)
Rocky Patel World Cigar Smoking Championship Mareva
Rocky Patel World Cigar Smoking Championship Mareva Foot
