EO Brands (Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega) are set to release the La Bomba and 601 Connecticut at the show this year. It seems that Connecticut seems to be the wrapper of choice as this isn’t the only cigar to come from the Rocky Patel Family featuring the wrapper. According to the press release,

“We are very proud of the 601 brand,” said EO Brands President Eddie Ortega. “The 601 Red, Green and Blue offer distinct, different styles of full bodied cigars, and we wanted to round out the 601 product portfolio with a milder cigar – but still offer something with a little kick. The 601 Connecticut has a nice, spicy start and finishes smooth and creamy. The consumer that wants 601 quality in a milder cigar is going to love 601 Connecticut.”

The 601 Connecticut comes with a beautiful Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and Binder/Filler from Cuban seed from Estelí and Jalapa regions of Nicaragua.

The Connecticut comes in four shapes: Robusto – 5×50, Toro – 6×50, Torpedo – 6 1/8×52 and Churchill – 7×48. These cigars are currently available at retail, and they cost between $7.50 and $8.00.

Also, he La Bomba which we reviewed over a month ago is set to make it’s debut as well. The press released adds,

With the introduction of 601 La Bomba, we wanted to deliver a cigar that had an extreme level of flavor and taste for the fans of 601,” added Ortega. “We’ve worked on this blend for over a year, and we’re very happy with the explosive power that La Bomba delivers.”

La Bomba comes in four shapes: Atom-5 1/2×46, Napalm 5×52, Nuclear 6×50 and Atomic-6×60. These cigars will be available at retail on July 1st, and they cost between $8.00 and $9.00, and they come in boxes of 10.

Lastly, in other EO Brands news, EO is launching a new shape in their very popular Murcielago brand. The new Toro Grande is 6 ½ x54, and can be found where ever the Murcielago brand is sold.

Meanwhile Rocky Patel is set to add to his Java line with the release of the new Java Mint.

“We’ve been very pleased with the success of the Java cigar line,” said Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Executive Vice President Nish Patel. “Since launching Java, we’ve had numerous requests for a Mint-Chocolate version of Java – and after over a year of product development, we truly believe we’ve got a cigar that delivers the flavorful/aromatic premium cigar smoking experience at a great value that you’d expect from Rocky Patel.

Java Mint features a Brazilian maduro wrapper, and will come in five box-pressed shapes: Corona – 5×42, Robusto – 5 ½x50, Toro – 6×50, The 58 – 5×58 and Petite Corona – 4 1/2×38. The cigars will be priced between $5.50 and $8.00 at retail, and comes in a box of 24.

Located in Bonita Springs, Florida, the Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Company began producing high quality premium cigars in 1995, based on Rocky’s passion for cigars, and his desire to share his unique cigar blends with cigar connoisseurs around the world. Rocky is also very active in raising money for underprivileged children in Honduras, with his RP Foundation. Current Rocky Patel cigar brands include: Decade, 1961, Olde World Reserve, Edge, 15th Anniversary and the Vintage Series. For more information visit their Website at www.RockyPatel.com. For more information on EO Brands, visit their website at www.EOBrands.com.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIOfn1Xvj1s

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Dear friends,

I am pleased to announce today that Rocky Patel Premium Cigars and EO Brands will begin operating in full partnership. Eddie Ortega and Erik Espinosa will continue to operate EO Brands, with Rocky Patel Premium Cigars assuming all sales and distribution of EO Brands.

What does this mean for you?

*Greater customer support and resources for EO Brands.

*Streamlined customer service from the Rocky Patel sales offices in Bonita Springs, Florida.

*Broader and deeper range of products .

*Commitment to innovation, ensuring exciting marketing/promotional opportunities promotional opportunities promotional opportunities for EO Brands.

*A partnership with a long-term strategy for growth.

Our goal is to continue delivering innovative, high-quality cigars in current and new markets. Furthermore, this partnership will not only allow ease of ease of ordering, but new opportunities to provide you with additional sales provide you with additional sales values and values and promotional opportunities within the two brands.

Although Rocky Patel Premium Cigars and EO Brands have Cigars and EO Brands have separate, if not unique, separate, if not unique, histories, they have always shared a common objective: to produce possible cigar and supreme customer support. We remain dedicated to this objective now that we will begin operation in unison.

Effective May 10th, 2010, all EO Brands (E.g., 601, Cubao, Murcielago, etc.) will only be available via the Rocky Patel Premium Cigars distribution system. That is, directly and or through our approved sales representatives. All marketing for EO Brands will also be handled by Rocky Patel Premium Cigars.

Rest assured that the integration of production, distribution and marketing of EO Brands will be a very quick process. The infrastructure to handle orders for EO Brands is already up and running. Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions and or concerns regarding your accounts.
I wish a very warm welcome of EO Brands to the Rocky Patel family of fine products. fine products.

Warmest regards,

ROCKY PATEL

Murcielago

The first time I smoked one of these was at the Cigar Inn event this past weekend. Eric Espinosa asked me if I ever tried one of them and he made sure before I left that I would smoke one. One cigar, and I was hooked. So much so that I ran out and bought a box of these, in this size. The size that I prefer in the winter due to the cold weather. Murcielago translate to Bat so a lot of people refer to this cigar as “The Bat”. The cigar was launched at IPCPR in 2009 and is available at many retailers.

Cigar: Murcielago
Size: 4.12 x 50 (Rothchild)
Wrapper: Mexico
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium/Full

Appearance and Construction (17/20): This powerful looking cigar has an amazing looking wrapper that reminds one of dark chocolate. The wrapper is flawless with virtually no veins present and a completely seamless roll. The cigar is box pressed and has a well packed foot but the sides of the smoke reveal some significant soft spots. The gorgeous looking blood red band has a nice tribal looking bat that would make an awesome tattoo. The back side of the band states, “Capa Nega“.

Flavor & Notes (29/30): The foot of the cigar offers some spice that put me in a sneezing fit while the prelight draw had a well defined cocoa to it making this the perfect cigar for a cold winter day. Or perhaps that’s because it is so cold out I wish I had a nice hot cup of cocoa.  As we begin to smoke the first third of the cigar there was some nutty notes, and a delicious chocolate note that is so easily defined. The second third of the cigar is very smooth with some coffee notes, bordering on espresso and some dark chocolate as well. The final third of this incredibly smooth cigar has some coffee notes, dark chocolate and a slight wood on the finish that reminds me of cedar.

Burn/Ash/Draw (23/25): The cigar burned uneven at first with one side burning faster then the other. This was due to the soft spots I felt on on the sides of the cigar. It was never out of hand though and once I worked past the soft spots the cigar burned well. I never needed to touch it up, though I was tempted to at one point. The dark colored ash was sold and held on well. The draw was perfect and would of made Goldilocks happy being, just right.

Overall (23/25): I’ve never been a huge fan of Mexican tobacco because to me when you say Mexico I think of Te-Amo. This cigar is no where close to that, and I may have to re-work my top cigars of 2009 list to find a spot for this outstanding smoke. The cigar is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for, and that holds true with this wonderful cigar. I’ll deduct a point for the soft spots, and a point for the price here, but this cigar is an excellent smoke.

Rating: 92
Price: $157.99 a box of 20 @ Famous