Rocky Patel Special Edition Robusto Cigar Review

I’ve long been a fan of supporting local business when possible. You see, I prefer to support my local retailer even if it means paying a bit more. My theory is if you spend $10.00 in your hometown, that $10 has a chance of staying in your hometown. Where as you order from a place across the country that money is forever gone from your community. If you look at the car industry you can see how not supporting local on a national sense has destroyed cities.

Today’s cigar, the Rocky Patel Special Edition is a cigar that is not available online and can only be purchased at your local brick & mortar. It’s available in 10 count boxes and in three sizes. Today we look at the Robusto in a line that also features Toro and Gordo.

Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Special Edition
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Double Binder (Not Disclosed)
Filler: Not Disclosed
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Vitola: Robusto
Cutter: Lotus Jaws
Lighter: Black Label Domininator

The Look: Packaged in 10 count boxes the box has the feel of a thin hat box, or a box of chocolates. Inside the cigar has a band featuring white, gold and purple. The RP logo is atop the band and he words Special Edition beneath it. This box pressed cigar has a nice medium brown color that borders on chestnut. There are some thin veins present and is seamlessly presented. In the hand there are no soft spots and a nice weight to it.

The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar reminds me of marshmallow fluff with hints of raisins and pecans. The cold draw is chewy and that translates to the aroma of the tobacco as well. It is similar to the cold draw with hints of cedar and hay.

Once the cigar is lit there is an abundance of pepper that slowly fades as the flavors become more balanced at the half-inch mark of the cigar. As the cigar balances out there are notes of cumin, pecans, black pepper, and wood. The finish of the cigar is slightly sweet and the retrohale of the cigar offers up some white pepper.

Moving on to the second third notes of cumin remain with hints of pecan. At the halfway point some of the sweetness that was noticeable on the finish begins to make its way to the palate as notes of cocoa begin to emerge. As the second third comes to a close the chocolate becomes more dominant with a earthy finish and subtle pepper on the retrohale.

Moving into the final third of the brick & mortar only cigar from Rocky Patel, continue to serve up notes of pecans which becomes the primary note. As the cigar concludes chocolate reveals itself on the finish a continued pepper on the retrohale. The cumin which was well defined on the first two thirds disappeared in the last third.

The Finish: The offering from Rocky Patel isn’t the best in the portfolio and it definitely isn’t the worst. It’s a strong offering that you can’t find anywhere other then inside your local cigar shop. It also puts the exclamation point on shopping local this season. Let’s bring commerce back to the local retailer and out of the online superstores.

Score: 90
Price: $10.69