This cigar is made by Rocky Patel and infused with flavor by Drew Estate (makers of ACID cigars). Typically I do not smoke flavored cigars. I have tried many, mainly for the purpose of rating them, but they are never a go-to cigar for me. This is the first flavored cigar I have rated on here.
This cigar is made with a Brazilian Maduro, and the filler and binder are from Nicaragua.
This box pressed cigar had a wrapper that felt like soft velvet. It didn't feel tight though in the wrap. Felt loose and spongey.
This cigar had a nice nutty flavor, which is perfect for the flavoring. The flavoring added chocolate and coffee. There is a hint of sweet vanilla as well. The aftertaste was similar to finishing a cup of coffee. A little roasted flavor with a hint of sweet from the chocolate and vanilla flavors. Towards the end though, it got a little bitter and tart. Sadly, the tobacco did not come out too much. You might get a moment of earthy flavor or a rich coffee/tobacco mix. For the most part, it seemed the only thing you could taste of the tobacco was the nuttiness. The rest was flavoring, which is disappointing because Rocky Patel has very good tobacco.
The burn and draw were very well done on this smoke. It was easy to smoke this one too fast. It was like having one of those latte type coffee drinks from a local coffee shop. Smoking too fast can change the flavor, and slowing down can fix it. Thankfully, it did not turn. Saved this one just in time.
I had the toro sized cigar, which ran around $12. That is not bad for a Rocky Patel, or an infused cigar as well (flavored usually costs more). So, the price brings the grade up on this one.
Final Grade: B-
Friday, December 10, 2010
Rocky Patel Decade
Now, what is known about this cigar is little, other than high ratings from many cigar sources. The binder and filler are even secret (according to the Rocky Patel website). The only thing known is that this cigar was made to celebrate ten years in the cigar business, and that the wrapper is Sumatra (Cigar Aficionado says Ecuador for the wrapper and Nicaragua for binder and filler, yet the Rockey Patel site says Sumatra).
The wrapper on this was very even, a little rough feeling, and tight. Very dark as well.
This cigar has a wonderful nutty flavor when lit. That flavor comes with a nice woody and earthy flavor. Together you get hints of rich coffee. The aftertaste leaves with that same nutty flavor. It stays with you a little while, but never gets bad. This cigar is strong, but it never got harsh.
The draw and burn were good. The draw seemed a little firm, but you always got a great smoke out of it. The burn was even all the way through.
This hour to hour and a half smoke costs about $18 (this is the double toro, or Emperor). That is a steep price, but the quality is amazing. Rocky Patel says on his site that this took ten years to make, and it shows. This is a cigar to have when celebrating something. This is one to remember.
Final Grade: A+
The wrapper on this was very even, a little rough feeling, and tight. Very dark as well.
This cigar has a wonderful nutty flavor when lit. That flavor comes with a nice woody and earthy flavor. Together you get hints of rich coffee. The aftertaste leaves with that same nutty flavor. It stays with you a little while, but never gets bad. This cigar is strong, but it never got harsh.
The draw and burn were good. The draw seemed a little firm, but you always got a great smoke out of it. The burn was even all the way through.
This hour to hour and a half smoke costs about $18 (this is the double toro, or Emperor). That is a steep price, but the quality is amazing. Rocky Patel says on his site that this took ten years to make, and it shows. This is a cigar to have when celebrating something. This is one to remember.
Final Grade: A+
Friday, December 3, 2010
Macanudo 1968
A friend brought these in an said they were too strong for him. Bring the one that likes strong cigars, one was passed my way.
This cigar has a Honduran San Agustin Havana Seed wrapper, a Connecticut Habano binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Ometepe.
The wrapper on this cigar felt soft, but a little crisp. The person I got it from keeps his cigars in good condition, so I know it would not be dry.
This cigar had a mild espresso flavor, with some earthy and spicy notes. There was a hint of bitter flavor throughout. The aftertaste consisted of a smokey flavor and an earthy note that lingered.
The construction on this cigar was moderate at best. It burned well, but the draw was terrible. I had to put it through the cigar poker. That helped out a lot, but not for very long. The draw became firm again in about four puffs.
This is a new shape for this cigar. A Trompetta. This is a Pyramid shaped cigar. It runs about $10, so the price is a tad steep, but not for the tobaccos in this smoke.
The flavors came out more when I had a good smoke. It is hard to judge the flavor on this cigar and I would have to give it another go when writing on that (I will expand on it the next time I get the chance), but for the one I got is the one I will grade.
Final Grade: D
This cigar has a Honduran San Agustin Havana Seed wrapper, a Connecticut Habano binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Ometepe.
The wrapper on this cigar felt soft, but a little crisp. The person I got it from keeps his cigars in good condition, so I know it would not be dry.
This cigar had a mild espresso flavor, with some earthy and spicy notes. There was a hint of bitter flavor throughout. The aftertaste consisted of a smokey flavor and an earthy note that lingered.
The construction on this cigar was moderate at best. It burned well, but the draw was terrible. I had to put it through the cigar poker. That helped out a lot, but not for very long. The draw became firm again in about four puffs.
This is a new shape for this cigar. A Trompetta. This is a Pyramid shaped cigar. It runs about $10, so the price is a tad steep, but not for the tobaccos in this smoke.
The flavors came out more when I had a good smoke. It is hard to judge the flavor on this cigar and I would have to give it another go when writing on that (I will expand on it the next time I get the chance), but for the one I got is the one I will grade.
Final Grade: D
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