Cigar Review: It’s a Rocky road

Cigar review:

 

Rocky Patel’s company by sheer drive, determination and hundreds of blends has become one of most widely known cigar manufacturers in the business. His products cover all price points, and quality.

The Rocky Patel Royale was part of a sampler I purchased from Holt’s Cigars. As always how and where I received the cigar for review does not impact my subjective judgment. Please try the cigar and decide for  yourself.

Brand/ Name of Cigar: Rocky Patel/ Royale

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Size; 5 x 52

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Connecticut/Connecticut Broadleaf

Shape: Robusto

Price: $10.10 Single MSRP

Where and When Smoked: Los Angeles, Ca. 8/5/18

Appearance/Construction: Boxed pressed with an oily, attractive wrapper. construction  appears first-rate with an attractive double cigar band. Cap appeared slightly off but overall I liked the way the cigar looks.

Flavor/Taste and Aroma: First third:  A hint of almonds, cocoa and brown sugar. Sweetness was the watchword , but not cloying. Reminded me of an ice cream fudge bar with a nut base.

Second third: The cigar is now throwing out some medium spice as a pepper blast makes its presence. The initial combo in the first third has disappeared as if this was an entirely different cigar. This transition or lack of it was not smooth.

Final third: The overall flavor takes a dark turn with more spice but all counterbalance that should have happened did not. The cigar has become less appealing.

Smoking Characteristics: The cigar stayed lit with a cool, even burn , with a dark grey ash. Construction remained solid for a positive smoking experience.

Conclusion/Overall Impression: Rocky Patel continues to produce cigars in millions of units. Everyone knows his cigars. I will periodically smoke a Rocky but never going to keep many in my humidor. At one time the Royale was considered to be a top ten cigar by many. Not in my book.

Final Thoughts and the Numbers: Rocky Patel the cigar advocate has no peer in the industry. He love what he does. As for his cigar products, they are hit and miss as consistency is not there.

Appearance/Construction: 4 out of 5

Flavor/Taste and Aroma: 3 out 5

Smoking Characteristics: 3.5 out of 5

Conclusion/Overall Impression: 3.5 out of 5

Keep smoking