As Rocky Patel continues to advance the frontiers of premium cigars into the realm of A-list status, budget-conscious cigar enthusiasts haven’t been forgotten. The Rocky Patel Cuban Blend dishes out an immense personality that I would expect from a Rocky Patel cigar. It is about as Cuban as it gets from one of the best producers in the cigar industry.
It flaunts an unmistakable strong taste and excellent aroma, complemented with raw, earthy, spicy qualities that can only come from top-quality tobacco that has been properly harvested, dried, cut, and wrapped — all for the perfect value.
After a nice hearty dinner, I decided to revisit an old favorite, breaking out a pair of Rocky Patel Cuban Blend Robusto cigars from my humidor. Now it’s time to pour a nice bourbon and head out to the porch for a thrilling smoke.
Pull of Cigar
Rocky Patel Cuban Blend Robusto is drafted from an oily and dark Maduro wrapper leaf over a luxurious blend of long-aged Honduran Ligero tobaccos. The cigar is firm to the touch, with only a few veins visible. After the cap swiftly comes off with a stiff cut from my guillotine, cold aromas of cracked peppercorns and dark chocolate emanate from the foot. An effortless pull with just the right resistance helped deliver beyond an hour of medium to full-bodied smoke — a finely constructed premium cigar without a doubt.
Taste
With a few quick lights of my torch to the cigar’s foot, its tobaccos fully ignite without any issue. Right from the first puff, a powerful blast of pepper and espresso overruns the palate. The potent punch of spice can be overwhelming for the novice smoker, but this is undoubtedly a remarkable cigar for connoisseurs with the most discerning palates.
As the cigar progresses, bitter notes of dark chocolate and a sugary sweet undercurrent graced my lips in an impeccable commingling. The added touch of sweetness of the Maduro wrapper balances and almost conceals most of the Ligero’s raw spice.
Throughout the cigar, the blend possessed ample hints of black pepper and dark chocolate. Still, it never abandons the rich and bitter character of espresso that it displays in the beginning. It’s best to turn off your smartphone when smoking this Rocky Patel Cuban Blend — the luxurious Cuban experience is worth relishing in a contemplative night.
A substantial gray ash forms and becomes flaky, but the construction of this reflects uncompromising Patel standards. The abundance of flavors develops to be more and more indulgent with every draw. The cigar gets tougher to put down, even for brief pauses over the ashtray.
Overall Review of Rocky Patel Cuban Blend Robusto
Down to the last half inch, this Robusto retained a full-bodied but velvety profile until it eventually reached the nub, and I had to put it down. I give this an 88-point rating. Overall, this is a great cigar that performs admirably as an after-dinner smoke. I just wished it offered more transition of flavors. Even so, I’d still highly recommend this as an occasional full-bodied smoke for a more experienced cigar aficionado. But don’t just take my word for it. Get your hands on a 5-pack of this Famous Smoke shop exclusive, and you might find yourself committing to a whole box of 20.
Other Cigars Reviews
Other Rocky Patel Cigar Reviews
Rocky Patel Royale Robusto
The Rocky Patel Royale Robusto enveloped in an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, delivers a medium-bodied smoking experience, exuding rich, creamy flavors punctuated by notes of coffee, nuts, cedar, and subtle earthy undertones. Its robust shape, with a 5-inch length and 52-ring gauge, boasts an aesthetically pleasing box press design, dark brown wrapper, and distinctive double-band labeling. Despite its looser draw, the cigar produces abundant smoke, offering a consistent flavor profile that combines creamy coffee with hints of spice and pepper without overwhelming the palate. While the cigar’s construction and flavor are commendable, its higher price point raises questions about its value relative to the taste complexity it offers. Nevertheless, the Rocky Patel Royale Robusto stands out for its smoothness, remarkable draw, and burn quality, making it a noteworthy option for enthusiasts willing to explore beyond standard selections.
Rocky Patel Decade Robusto
Marking its tenth anniversary, the Rocky Patel Decade Robusto, hailing from Honduras, is acclaimed for its complex flavors and superior craftsmanship. This full-strength, Ecuadorian Robusto-shaped cigar is enveloped in a sleek, dark Sumatra wrapper and adorned with elegant, nearly light-brown bands, enhancing its visual appeal. The smoking journey begins with thick, medium-bodied smoke, transitioning into a symphony of earthy, nutty, and subtly sweet notes, with spice undertones and a reliable draw. Although it slightly misses a creamy texture, its excellent construction, generous smoke output, and persistent sweetness have consolidated its reputation, prompting a positive review of Rocky Patel Decade Robusto among both seasoned connoisseurs and beginners.
Other Honduran Cigar Reviews
Helix X550
The Helix X550 offers a delicate balance of subtlety and rich flavors, providing a mellow smoking experience characterized by its smooth draw, consistent smoke volume, and complex flavor profile that includes hints of toasted bread, hazelnut, and a creamy aftertaste. Originating from Honduras and wrapped in a high-grade Connecticut Shade, this cigar combines Brazilian Mata Fina and prime Dominican Piloto Cubano tobaccos, offering a luxurious blend at an affordable price. Despite a desire for more complexity in flavor evolution, its symmetrical burn, perfect draw, and firm ash reflect its quality, earning it a favorable rating of 89, as detailed in this comprehensive review of the Helix X550.
H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum
H. Upmann, a historic brand in the cigar industry, maintains its reputation for consistent quality with the Sun Grown Magnum, which boasts a striking appearance and enticing pre-light aroma. The cigar’s construction is generally solid despite a minor flaw, and it offers a tight but manageable draw. Initial flavors of chocolate and woodiness evolve into bolder, consistent notes, with sweetness and spice taking turns in the spotlight. While the final third heats up excessively, requiring relights that impact the flavor profile negatively, the overall experience remains largely positive. The H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum may not have delivered the perfect smoking experience, but its straightforward flavors and the promise of further refinement with aging earn it an 85-point rating, reflecting its potential to satisfy both novice and seasoned smokers alike in a review of H. Upmann Sun Grown Magnum.
