My Weekend Cigar Review: Rough Riders Sweets Maduro
A Rough Looking Cigar with a Smooth Attitude
Bill Bock, who founded Indianhead Distributors in 2001, believed that cigar retailers wanted bargain priced cigars but were “especially concerned about quality.” That same year, he released Rough Rider Sweets. Bock was also a prolific collaborator with Jochy Blanco, and together they released a number of affordably-priced premiums including Palma Real, Cuban Aristocrat, and American Stogies. When Bock retired In 2015, Jochy acquired Indianhead and promised to keep the brands on the market.
In 2016, Rough Rider Sweets received a packaging makeover and reintroduced in five sizes with an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over a Dominican Piloto Cubano and Criollo 98 long filler core.
Four Maduro vitolas were added to the line in 2020 with a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper over Mexican San Andrés binder, and the same Dominican Piloto Cubano and Criollo 98 tobaccos.
Both Rough Rider Sweets selections are finished with sweetened caps, but they are not infused or flavored, which allows the natural tobacco flavors to “shine through.”
Cigar Details:
Factory: Tabacalera Palma – Santiago, Dominican Republic
Size: 7”x 50
Body & Strength: Mellow
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano and Criollo 98
Presented in boxes of 25
Rough Rider Sweets Maduro Cigar Review
At first glance, the Rough Rider Sweets Churchill Maduro had a rough-looking appearance. The wrapper was bumpy and veiny, with a gas station cheapo charm. That aside, the cigar was firmly packed and finished with a strange looking cap that cut cleanly—and boy, is it sweet. The draw revealed some nuttiness but the sweetness overpowered it and left an odd aftertaste.
The opening draws were sweet, light in strength, and very smooth, but the sweetener won out. A few minutes later, notes of dry earth and leather appeared, and by the first inch, the smoke was sweet, very smooth, and mellow. Flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon had arrived. The cigar was burning well, exposing a fairly firm grey striped ash.
Farther along, the Churchill shook off enough cap sweetness allowing the nutmeg and cinnamon spice to shine brighter. I also tasted some vanilla which could have been coming from the sweetener or the wrapper. Most retrohales were laced with a mild pepper flavor.
Halfway through, the flavors were locked-in and little has changed; if anything, the sweetness was at a more acceptable stage, while some light earthiness knocked on the door.
By the last half, the sweetness seemed to be coming more from the wrapper than the cap. Dry earth continued to rise, but the cigar was still mellow in body and strength. Impressively, the core flavors remained lively down to the last 1½ inches.
Was Rough Rider Sweets Maduro Weekend Worthy?
The Rough Rider Sweets Churchill Maduro’s rough appearance certainly reflects its name. Plus, I’m not sure if the brand has any connection to Ghost Rider, or some other cool motorcycle theme.
As for the Rough Rider Sweets Churchill experience, it was a simple, straight-ahead smoke that locked into a few nice flavors and stuck to it for almost the distance. The only con for me was the sweet cap, which I thought interfered with the natural sweetness of San Andrés Maduro wrapper and binder. I’d like to smoke it again without the sweet cap.
In closing, I think Rough Rider is a good cigar for newbies, or just hanging out with a beer; in other words, one of those cigars you don't have to think about too much. It also costs more than it looks, which could speak to its hidden quality. Although it’s far from my usual, this Maduro grew on me.
Please Note: Gary’s review was based on his experience and that your mileage may vary.