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| STARS OF THE SHOW VIII |
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Since the introduction of his Rocky Patel Vintage lines in 2003, he’s become one of the “mid-majors” in the trade with more than a dozen brands on the market and a loyal fan base. For 2008, he showed three new blends: the Cameroon Especial, the Decade 10th Anniversary and the Renaissance. Rocky Patel Cameroon Especial: [Honduras: available in 3 sizes] This 2008 introduction was a wonder: a great cigar in a value-priced bundle format. It features a Cameroon wrapper, but is presented in economical bundles of 20. It’s full-bodied and has a spicy aroma, but the light, clean, sweet and tangy flavor was a revelation. The sweetness has a caramelized note to it and the blend smokes very slowly, with a sweet finish. Well made, it has an even burn and the draw is excellent. It stays sweet and consistent right to the very end, a quality cigar from the beginning to the end. Even sweeter is the retail price, a remarkable $2.50 to $2.90 each, not including local sales and tobacco taxes. Overall grade: A: Exceptional. Rocky Patel Decade 10th Anniversary: [Honduras: available in 4 sizes] The Decade was introduced in 2007, but is now in full national distribution. It salutes the 10th year of the Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Company, which started out as the Indian Tabac Cigar Co. The Decade is box-pressed and has a double band; it’s full-bodied and has a very spicy aroma. The flavor is a balance between a clean, caramelized taste and a spicy finish that leaves a tingle on the tongue. The burn is steady and even and the draw is excellent, making this an easy cigar to enjoy. The consistency of the flavor and the balance of sweetness and spice continues right through to the end, making the Decade a very enjoyable cigar and one that adds to the Rocky Patel line-up of quality cigars. All four sizes are offered in boxes of 20 and are priced at $9.00 to $10.50 each, not including local sales and tobacco taxes. Overall grade: A: Exceptional. Rocky Patel Renaissance: [Honduras: available in 3 sizes] The Renaissance joined the Rocky Patel line in mid-2008 and features a Honduran-grown Corojo wrapper. It’s medium in body and has a spicy aroma along with excellent construction and draw. The flavor features a sweet, tangy taste and a caramelized finish in the first half, given depth with a note of spice at the halfway point. The balance of sweetness and spice tilts a bit more toward the spicy side in the second half, but always in control. This is a very nice cigar and has considerable aging potential for the future. For now, it’s an excellent buy with a retail price of $6.75 to $7.75 per cigar (not including local sales and tobacco taxes), offered in boxes of 20. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. There can’t be any doubt that Altadis U.S.A. and Rocky Patel are two of the top premium cigar makers in the world today. The quality of the cigars we tasted this week underscore the reality that despite all of the smoking ban and tax challenges imposed by the uninformed, we are in one of the best-ever periods for cigar makers and for those who appreciate the joy of tobacco in the hands of the new masters. ~ Rich Perelman CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGCigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories at Humidor Vault! Your online cigar humidor source, with rock-bottom pricing and fantastic customer support!A limited amount of classified advertising is available in this space on a weekly basis. For details, call Pat Harris at (213) 365-7965 or inquire by email by clicking here. Have an opinion? You can send it using the “Comment” button below! Don’t forget to register for our drawing for free cigars and accessories! Just click on the “Register & Win” button above; enter today! Looking for a cigar party? Take a look at our exclusive list of hundreds of cigar events across the country, listed by state and date, only on CigarCyclopedia.com!
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Did you know?
“American cigar production fell to less than 1,000 factories (971 registered) by 1954 and only 477 in 1961.
