My Weekend Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Dark Star

VIDEO CIGAR REVIEW: ROCKY PATEL DARK STAR TORO

Rocky’s Reach for the Stars

Looking at the galaxy known as Rocky Patel Cigars, you may notice that Rocky’s Dark Star selection boasts a very Honduran-forward blend with a stellar twist. Save for its Mexican San Andrés binder, all of the tobaccos are Honduran-grown, and it took 63 blending trials to get it right. Additionally, one of the filler leaves is grown in Honduras but comes from a tobacco that’s native to Paraguay. According to Rocky, the Paraguayan-seed leaf is “the opposite of Estelí,” adding that “it’s similar to Costa Rican tobacco with more of an almond nuttiness to it. It’s also a little sweet, but not too sweet.”

Since Rocky was also going for a more Cuban-like medium-bodied smoke, Dark Star is also medium-bodied. The selection is presented in four sizes: Robusto, Toro, Gordo, and the nub-like “Short Star.”

Cigar Details:

Factory: Tabacalera Plasencia El Paraiso – El Paraiso, Honduras
Size: 6” x 52
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa, Honduran Jamastran, and Honduran Paraguayan-seed

Presented in boxes of 20

Rocky Patel Dark Star Toro Cigar Review

The Rocky Patel Dark Star Toro had an evenly firm feel to it and textbook craftsmanship including the triple seam cap. The Honduran Corojo wrapper, which I found to be a bit delicate, had a healthy caramel color. I sensed a cinnamon spice-like aroma off the wrapper, and after cutting the cold draw offered a dense herbal flavor.

Once lit, the flavor was instantly creamy and nutty with a hint of caramel and a spicy finish. The burn also began evenly, and by the first inch the smoke was medium-bodied with an impressive mellowness.

Rather than offering a “dark” vibe, by the first inch the cigar actually began to brighten up. At this point the smoke was impressively smooth and mostly nutty with a mix of earth, drive-by caramel, and a spicy finish. Cinnamon also climbed in and the cigar became even more intriguing.

At the midsection, baking spices were in full bloom. An oaky flavor entered the mix at this point, too, yet there was also a curious flavor—umami perhaps?—that I couldn’t put my finger on. Plus, the spicy finish seemed to have a more delayed response.

By the final inches the Toro maintained its impressive smoothness and medium body. The oaky flavor pushed the nutty element off to the side, but the baking spices and a subtle sweetness stayed alive and that was pretty much how it remained down to a very short stub.

Was Rocky Patel Dark Star Weekend Worthy?

For sure. The Dark Star was not as intense as some of Rocky’s other Honduras-made fare like his Rocky Patel Decade, for example. I found it right in my wheelhouse and very unique. Most impressive for me was the mellow aspect this cigar offered. Something also needs to be said for the contribution of the Paraguayan-seed tobacco. It’s the least used tobacco in the blend, too, just one leaf, but it was definitely present. I also wondered if the Paraguayan-seed leaf contributed to that curious umami flavor I tasted. That aside, it’s another fine example of how well tobaccos from other countries thrive in Honduras. I also liked how this Toro stuck to its medium-body for the duration.

Finally, Rocky Patel Dark Star is another example of a cigar that you really have to smoke to fully appreciate. Hopefully (and ironically), it may turn out to be one of the brightest stars in the Rocky Patel galaxy.

Please Note: Gary’s review was based on two samples and that your experience may vary. If you’ve already had an experience with this cigar please share your thoughts and connect with us on your favorite social platform! Facebook Instagram X