In 1995, Rocky Patel entered the cigar business which is a great thing for our industry. A relentless worker and champion of cigar rights he fights for us on a regular basis. From the halls of state capitols to the United States Senate, Rocky has tirelessly campaigned against restrictions and FDA involvement. To celebrate 25 years in business the company has released Quarter Century. Aged over 2 years after rolling, and 10 years before, Rocky is calling this the greatest cigar he’s ever created this isn’t just a cigar, it’s the beginning of a new era at Rocky Patel.
Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Quarter Century
Wrapper: San Andres
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Robusto
The Look: Packaged in gorgeous looking wood boxes, the Rocky Patel Quarter Century is packaged in 20 count boxes featuring two rows of 10 cigars. Inside the chocolate colored San Andres wrapper is flawless with a Nic amount of oils. Like most Rocky Patel Cigars it features a dual band with the primary denoting Quarter Century and a secondary band denoting Rocky Patel 25th Anniversary. In the hand the cigar is firm to the touch with no voids of tobacco and a pretty hefty weight.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Quarter Century serves up notes of subtle fig, crackers and a hint of lemon zest creating a mouthwatering pre-light experience. Off the foot the aroma has a touch of vanilla bean and hint of saltines. One we toast the foot the initial draw reveals red pepper flakes.
Moving into the first third the red pepper flakes slowly pull back revealing notes of sesame and a subtle creaminess. Moving into the first third the fig from the cold draw occasionally shows it self though the red pepper remains just dominant enough to prevent it from really shining. On the finish the cigar has a hint of lemon zest on the palate as well as the retrohale.
Moving into the second third notes of sesame become more dominant as chocolate begins to develop in the background and a touch of shortbread on the finish. As we cross over the halfway point the red pepper notes only remain on the retrohale of the cigar as a sweetness envelopes the palate.
As we smoke the last third notes of shortbread are dominant with a hint of caramel and a touch of earth. The finish of the cigar holds on to the sweetness as it also appears on the aroma and retrohale which also sees some red pepper flakes return for an encore.
The Finish: Over the few years the sticks put out by Rocky Patel have changed considerably with more and more fitting into my own personal wheelhouse. The Quarter Century raises the bar on everything Rocky Patel. This medium-full bodied cigar is loaded with flavors that keep the smoker engaged and I can see this being a part of my regular rotation for a long time to come.
Score: 94
Price: $12.69 / $224.99
Rocky Patel Quarter Century Robusto
Rocky Patel Quarter Century Robusto Foot
Rocky Patel Quarter Century Robusto Burn
