The Essential Guide to Rocky Patel Java Cigars
This is Rocky Patel in pursuit of a more perfect coffee infused cigar. And in doing, creating a line of infused premiums targeted at premium cigar enthusiasts.
First, to clear up any confusion: the bands say Drew Estate Java, but these are Rocky Patel premium cigars. Java by Drew Estate cigars were the first collaborative effort between the Rocky and Drew teams, and their partnership has produced three more blends: Java Latte, Java Red, and Java Mint. The reason this tag team works? Because they’ve mated Rocky’s blending prowess with Drew Estate’s infusion process know-how. And a coffee-flavored cigar really is a no-brainer, considering we all know how much coffee and cigars have in common and how well they go together.
I was able to find a 12-year-old reddit thread where Jonathan contributed an explanation of how the by whom/for whom process happens – you can click here to read the full post, but here are the highlights:
“We make the cigar at the DE factory and nowhere else has it or will it ever be made. We purchase the tobacco, produce, age, freeze, ship to USA, pay Schip [these are taxes], and then send to our client RP.”
At the time, Jonathan noted that Drew Estate didn’t produce cigars for other manufacturers – it was Rocky, and Rocky only. And while things may have changed in the dozen years since, at least Drew Estate is still in the fortunate position of being able to be really picky about who they work with.
More of 2012 Jon: “The most interesting thing about JAVA…is that many of the guys who smoke full bodied sticks (Medium to full especially) love the Coffee Infused varieties that we make, but not other Infused sticks.
“Go figure.”
Java Maduro Cigar Review
“Hands down the best coffee-infused cigar available on the market today. The finest tobaccos from Nicaragua deliver in a truly unforgettable way. And to top it all off, the Java Maduro is draped in a thick Brazilian wrapper, making it the perfect companion to a rich cup of joe.”
“This joint venture by two of the industry's top cigar makers offers a mild to medium-bodied box-pressed cigar blended with rich Nicaraguan tobaccos and a shimmering, dark Brazilian wrapper. The smoke brims with sweet mocha java essences while maintaining a true tobacco taste that even non-flavored cigar smokers will flip for. Plus, Java cigars are so relaxing, it's like aromatherapy for tobacco lovers.”
Strength: Medium
Shape: Robusto 5 ½ x 50
Country: Nicaragua
Flavor: Coffee
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
The first of the four cigars in this coffee-infused series, the original Java was introduced in 2004. Even then, infused cigars were certainly not new – but Drew Estate had come upon their own way to flavor the tobacco and were recognized as the experts.
So, when Rocky decided he wanted to do a coffee-infused cigar, calling Jonathan was first on the to-do list.
The recipe is an aged blend of Nicaraguan long-fillers under a Brazilian Mata Fina Maduro wrapper, which itself has a rich profile sporting earthy, cocoa-like flavors. While they age, the cigars are patiently infused with the essence of powdery-sweet mocha – allowing those Nicaraguan tobaccos to burn with a sweet, rich flavor and extremely pleasant room note. I sensed clear, full notes of coffee and chocolate that finishes smooth and creamy.
The cigar is sharply box pressed, the silky Mata Fina wrapper shows off a fair share of oil; the prelight notes are heavy on mocha, of course. First few puffs are rich with coffee – real heavy, dark stuff – and the aroma hits what remaining senses haven’t been touched yet. Body is medium; strength is almost-medium, building a bit between start and finish. Sweet, sure – but some of the characteristics of the Brazilian and Nicaraguan tobaccos begin to percolate to the surface, adding in notes of wood and spice.
How is this different than other coffee-infused cigars? The mocha creaminess. How it’s infused (which is a trade secret) makes Java a standout, too.
Java Latte Cigar Review
“Hands down the best coffee-infused cigar available on the market today. The finest tobaccos from Nicaragua deliver in a truly unforgettable way. And to top it all off, the Java Latte is draped in a silky Connecticut wrapper, making it the perfect companion to a rich cup of joe.”
“Java Latte cigars deliver a metric ton of mocha-java essence without impeding the tobacco's refined flavors and aromas. Gorgeous Connecticut Shade wrappers are a mellow alternative to the original Java's Maduro, and dovetail flawlessly with a Nicaraguan blend. These are seriously good smokes: creamy and well-balanced, with a soft aroma so appealing, even non-cigar folks approve. A no-brainer for infused cigar smokers, clearly, but also worth investigation by traditionalists as a change of pace.”
Strength: Mellow
Shape: Robusto 5 ½ x 50
Country: Nicaragua
Flavor: Coffee
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
To follow the original Java, Rocky opted to take a lighter coffee turn: Latte. The goal was a cigar whose profile mimics the soft, frothy-foamy character of the steamed milk, but hides some espresso kick.
The cut and cold draw reveals a sweetened cap, along with notes of vanilla, caramel, and coffee beans. And once it’s lit, the aroma doubles down with more of the same.
The first half of the Java Latte gives off big creamy rips of smoke, sweet and “puffy,” almost like powdered sugar. By the second half, all of the flavors fall into place – and it’s here you notice the coffee bean infusion is central to the makeup of the cigar…much like how it’s full-tilt taste when you’ve sipped your way down to the espresso layer in your coffee cup. Cocoa is more pronounced, lingering on the finish. Of the natural tobacco nuances that break through, they’re all darker flavors – despite the Connecticut Shade wrapper being the blend’s highlight.
One of the most approachable coffee-infused cigars, this Connecticut-wrapped Java has all the things you love about the latte: creamy, still rich and feisty. Enjoyable transitions from beginning to end.
Java Red Cigar Review
“Handmade in Nicaragua and specially infused by Drew Estate, Java Red is exclusively rolled for, and distributed by, Rocky Patel Premium Cigars; You can’t get this custom cigar anywhere else on the planet. A rare but perfect complement to your ceremonial cup of joe.”
“Java Red are among the most enticing additions to the Java Cigars stable…their flavor profile is identified by the distinctive presence of cherries, plus notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee. What makes the Java Red even more alluring is how well it pairs with several aperitifs and cordials like Cointreau, Campari, Grand Marnier, and the like, long-aged Tawny Ports, Espresso or Cappuccino. If you're a fan of infused cigars, Java Red will not disappoint.”
Strength: Medium
Shape: Corona 5 x 42
Country: Nicaragua
Flavor: Coffee
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
The Java Red blend is intended to take the key notes of dark chocolate and coffee and mix them with a cherry sweetness. On paper, this sounds almost like a cherry cordial candy; in real life, there’s more to it than that.
The cherry sensation shines in the cold draw; there also happened to be a lot of “traditional” tobacco flavors in the prelight. Once it’s lit, the Java Red lets some of that cherry sweetness slip away, replacing it with the sweetness from the cap. A lot of the “traditional”flavors take over the profile, and it’s more than just coffee: they’re spicy, woody, well-roasted. Definitely more Starbucks than Dunkin’. And once that profile locks in, it’s there until the finish.
To me, Java Red’s whole vibe feels “heavy”: dark chocolate, earthy and peppery flavors from the San Andres Maduro wrapper. Toasty yet tasty, with notable spice. No surprise, then, that Java Red is the fullest-bodied of the bunch.
Java Mint Cigar Review
“Java Mint is the newest member of the Java line. The finest tobaccos from Nicaragua have once again come together in a truly unforgettable way. And to top it all off, the Java Mint is draped in a Brazilian wrapper, lending its eponymous characteristics.”
“Java Mint cigars are a cool new smoking experience with the same chocolate-mocha flavor of the original Java cigars, but lightly infused with a zesty mint flavor, plus essences of mocha and vanilla. These collaboration cigars from Drew Estate and Rocky Patel have an all-Nicaraguan long-filler and binder core BOX-PRESSED inside a rich-tasting, Brazilian Maduro wrapper. The result is a medium-bodied, mint-chocolatey smoke brimming with myriad flavors and aromas.”
Strength: Medium
Shape: Robusto 5 ½ x 50
Country: Nicaragua
Flavor: Coffee
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Name the top 5 best mint things in your life:
- Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream
- Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies
- Andes candies
I could only come up with three because I don’t eat York Peppermint Patties and have never had a Grasshopper cookie. I suppose a Junior Mint could make this list, but I have no experience with them either. Those green-and-brown starlight mints aren’t bad, but I think the mint of a candy cane is closer to mint toothpaste than it is to this. Beyond that, I’m kind of out of minty-chocolate things.
Now we can add to the list: Rocky Patel Java Mint cigars.
As with two of the three other Java cigars, the Maduro wrapper is dark, thick, oily, a little toothy…and it’s tightly packed and square pressed, with sharp corners. The aroma and prelight are all varying degrees of mint and chocolate: more minty smell, more chocolate cold draw. And once it’s lit, the Java Mint sticks to those two big flavors and doesn’t waver.
By halfway, as with many infused cigars, that primary profile begins to decelerate. This is where the whole to-do takes on a more coffee-forward flavor, along with some of the natural nuances from within the tobaccos, like spice. There’s still plenty of chocolate and mint to go around and linger on the finish, however.
In sum, I’m not sure which I enjoyed more: the taste or the aroma. Java Mint is not a cigar, it’s a snack.