The Rocky Patel II-XXVI is the newest small batch line from Rocky Patel Cigars. It was made to commemorate Rocky Patel’s birthday which is 2/26, or in roman numerals II-XXVI. The line has 3 vitolas, a robusto, a toro, and a torpedo...
The Rocky Patel II-XXVI is the newest small batch line from Rocky Patel Cigars. It was made to commemorate Rocky Patel’s birthday which is 2/26, or in roman numerals II-XXVI. The line has 3 vitolas, a robusto, a toro, and a torpedo, and is limited to 1000 20-count boxes in each size. The boxes themselves are upscale and attractive, with a stunning black and white lacquer “piano” finish. For this review I am sampling the Robusto size of the Rocky Patel II-XXVI.
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Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: San Andres Mexican
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina, Nicaraguan (Condega, Jamastran Valley, and Ometepe)
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Full
Flavor: Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 3
Construction and Appearance: The Rocky Patel II-XXVI features two bands. The main band has the regular Rocky Patel RP logo in the center in black on white. The rest of the top band is a series of checkered grey and silver squares on a while background and has a nice modern feel to it. The second band has a silver and black border, is white in the center, and has “II-XXVI” written in black in the middle.
The wrapper of the Rocky Patel II-XXVI is absolutely gorgeous. It is seamless in construction and has few visible veins. The wrapper has a very rich oily look to it. The cap is nice and tight and very neat. The cigar feels heavy in hand and there are no soft spots that I can detect.
Flavor and Notes: The wrapper of the Rocky Patel II-XXVI has notes of sweet chocolate, coffee, and a light spicy rye. The foot has the scent of chocolate cake (that actually is the first thing I could smell specifically, not just chocolate, but chocolate cake), earth, hay, and coffee. To prepare smoking the Rocky Patel II-XXVI I choose a straight cut. On the cold draw there are flavors of sweet cocoa, espresso, earth, and a little wood.
Smoking Characteristics: The Rocky Patel II-XXVI kicks off with a rich white pepper and a mix of spices with a touch of a bittersweet dark chocolate in the first few puffs. After the first few puffs the pepper and spice calm down. They are still present in the blend, but now the primary flavors are bittersweet chocolate, oak, and espresso. The draw is excellent with the perfect amount of resistance and each puff providing a nice full body of smoke. The smoke is smooth and cool with a touch of sweetness on the finish. In the first third the strength is just above medium.
Into the second third of the Rocky Patel II-XXVI, the white pepper has become a very subtle undertone along with the spice. The chocolate flavor is now much sweeter and has lost some of the bitterness with the espresso and oak remaining. The lack of evolution and complexity I have experienced at this point is completely overshadowed by the boldness and richness of the flavor. Each note in the blend is well defined and come together for a wonderful overall profile. The strength remains at just a bit over medium at this point, but has increased slightly from the first third. The burn has required one small correction, and the ash holds firmly well past the inch point.
During the final third of the Rocky Patel II-XXVI, the spice returns to the flavor profile blending well with the rich sweet chocolate, espresso, and oak. Likewise in this third, the white pepper returns, except it only lingers on the palate along with a bit of dark chocolate, providing an excellent finish. The strength in this third increases to the medium to full range, allowing for a nice buzz to set in. The draw remains excellent, easily providing a full body of the rich, cool, smooth, creamy smoke. The ash remains very firm, and the burn requires no additional corrections. The Rocky Patel II-XXVI smokes cool to the nub, remaining quite firm.
Conclusion: The Rocky Patel II-XXVI is easily my favorite offering from Rocky at this point in time. The flavor profile, w
