Rocky Patel Decade Toro

Size: 52 X 165 (6.5")

Shape: Toro

Filler: Nicaragua

Binder: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador

Smoking time: 1 3/4 hour
Beverage: McAuslan St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout

Rocky Patel has a multitude of cigars on the market, each with a (presumably) unique blend and many coming in more than one size. While other enthusiasts in our local shop feel that Rocky Patel has cheapened his brand by releasing a number of mediocre smokes, one would be hard-pressed to consider the Decade as one of these sub-par cigars.

This particular cigar had been resting in my humidor for about six months, and it had a few splits in the wrapper from being moved around too much. However, the construction was otherwise good, with a fairly strong box press and a matte (but dark) wrapper. It is a dense cigar, with a heavy feel in the hand. The head clipped off easily with my Palio cutter, and the pre-light draw revealed some notes of wood and tobacco with a perfect and unhindered draw.

I lit the cigar using three wooden matches, but had some trouble establishing an even light, so I touched it up with a torch lighter just to make sure there were no burn issues down the road. The first few draws produced thick volumes of smoke, bringing well-balanced flavours of leather, chocolate, and coffee. The cedar notes remained in the background, particularly on the finish. As the first third progressed, the flavours took turns coming in and out of prominence, and I began to notice a hint of vanilla creep in to the background from time to time.

Throughout the cigar, the burn remained sharp and consistent, and the ash held tight while every puff yielded plenty of rich, flavourful smoke that never became bitter or harsh. However, the medium body and initial flavours remained fairly consistent for the remainder of this cigar; had there been more variability in the flavour and a little more strength, this would have ranked higher. But for the very good cigar that it is, I give it four Castros out of five.

This Week's Selections...

As usual, this friday will bring another review of a fine cigar. Up for combustion this week:

- Ramon Allones Specially Selected

- Bolivar Coronas Junior
- Rocky Patel Decade Toro

- Romeo & Julieta Duke Edición Limitada 2009

See you friday!

Partagas Serie D No. 4

Size: 50 X 124 (4.9")

Shape: Robusto

Filler: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Smoking time: 1 hour

I purchased this legendary Robusto from an online cigar company and it didn’t even make it to my humidor before I made the decision to smoke it at our local cigar hangout.  We recently made the decision to sample more of the Partagas line after having great experiences with the Serie P No. 2 and the Lusitanias.  One of the oldest Cuban brands, Partagas cigars are known for their strong and intense flavors and, based on the reputation of this smoke, I was eagerly anticipating a cacophony of Cuban flavors as I carefully cut the cap and brought it up to my nose.

The initial scent of the cigar was quite pleasurable to my nose and I noticed an earthy, woody aroma.  The pre-light draw was perfect, which I was especially pleased with considering I had recently had a very negative experience with the draw of another famous Partagas – the 8-9-8.  After toasting the foot with a wooden match (and touching it up with my Xikar lighter) I was duly rewarded with an immense amount of smoke.  My initial impression of the No. 4 was that is was fairly mild and creamy, with some hints of earth, pepper, and cedar.  I was a bit disappointed as I had read that this smoke was supposed to be medium bodied and spicy, but as with many cigars I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and allowed it to burn down at least an inch before offering too much judgment. 

The stick continued to burn great through the first half and only required intermittent touch ups; however, I found that the ash of this cigar to be flakey and not as dense as other Cubans I have smoked.  After smoking the cigar past the half-way point it really seemed to open up beautifully releasing strong notes of nuts, grass, and herbs.  Although the flavors of the cigar intensified, I would still consider this cigar to be mild to medium boded as I struggled to find much strength throughout the smoke. 

Although the Serie D No. 4. was an enjoyable smoke, I prefer a bit stronger cigar and doubt I would choose this Cuban over the R & J Short Churchill or the Monticristo Petit Edmundo (two of my favorite medium sized smokes). For me, it scores three Castros out of five.

Cigars up for review...

We'll be posting a new review this friday, selecting a cigar from some of our recent acquisitions. Up for combustion this week:

- Partagas 8-9-8 Barnizados (Varnished Cabinet)

- Romeo & Julieta Short Churchil

- Ramon Allones Specially Selected

- Partagas Series D No. 4

- Bolivar Coronas Junior

See you friday!

Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos Asia Pacific Regional Edition 2009

Shape: Perfecto

Size: 46 X 137 (5.4")

Filler: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Smoking time: 1 hour

Beverage: Legendario Rum mixed with espresso

I purchased this solid little perfecto at my local B&M. Somehow the pre-release info on this one had slipped under my radar, so when I spotted it in the merchant's humidor I was surprised and had to give it a try. The cigar I chose was well constructed with few noticeable veins or blemishes, and the triple cap was perfectly applied. However, I had sifted through a few of the singles before I chose this one, as some of the others in the box had irregular caps or soft spots that were immediately noticeable.

After clipping the head with my Palio cutter, my choosiness was rewarded with an excellent pre-light draw that was neither too loose nor too tight, imparting flavours of fresh tobacco and hay. I both charred and lit the foot with a single match and was greeted with a fair volume of smoke. The strength of this cigar was immediately apparent as the back of my palate tingled with spice, leather, and some pleasant hints of citrus.

After smoking my way past the nipple, the initial flavours really started to intensify, as they were joined by a light sweetness and hay. The sweetness crept in and out of the profile for the rest of the first third, while the spice and strength remained immediately present. By the beginning of the second half, I could my head reeling a bit from the nicotine.

The flavours remained on the forefront of my palate for the second half of the cigar, even despite the rum and espresso I was drinking. However, as the burn line moved through the final half an unpleasant bitterness crept in that persuaded me to put the cigar down with about 1.5" left.

Despite the youth of these cigars, they are smoking very well at this stage and my guess is that they would age beautifully. Even despite the bitterness at the end, I enjoyed this cigar and I would certainly smoke it again, especially after it had rested in my humidor for a year or so; therefore, the Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos gets three and a half Castros out of five.