Rocky Patel Winter Blend

Today’s smoke comes courtesy of another sponsor Duque Cigars. The Rocky Patel Winter blend is limited to 4,000 boxes and should be available this month. (February 2009).

Cigar: Rocky Patel Winter Blend
Origin: Honduras
Size: 6 x 42 (Corona)
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Maduro
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua

Appearance & Construction (20/20): This rich looking cigar has the cleanest looking wrapper I have ever laid my eyes on. The dark chocolate looking wrapper is virtually seamless and sports a triple cap. The band screams winter carnival with with its metallic looking dark blue, silver and white colors.

Flavor & Notes (24/30): Off the wrapper there are distinct notes of rich chocolate and the prelight has some spicy notes to it. As we smoke the first third the cigar has some leather notes with some chocolate in the background. The second third of the cigar becomes a strong leather note which leaves a lot to be desired. As we conclude the cigar thankfully the leather starts to fade and a strong chocolate emerges from this stick. The cigar also gives off a wonderfully rich chocolate aroma as you smoke it.

Burn/Ash/Draw (22/25): The burn of the cigar was a little jagged but never needed to be touched up. The gray ash was flaky at times and did not hold well at all. I wound up wearing my ash a few times. The draw of the cigar was perfect.

Overall (23/25): The leather notes left something to be desired,  but when it dissipated the rich chocolate notes were delightful. My suggestion is sitting on these for a while as with age they should become an enjoyable smoke.

Rating: 89
Price: Unknown