CA Report: Top New Cigars (Sept 28 2020)

Autumn is time for football, camping, and the last hurrah for backyard barbecues – all of which pair perfectly with cigars. But why keep smoking the same old drab stuff? It’s time to broaden your horizons and open the door to a few new cigar blends. And with all of them hailing from Rocky Patel this week, it’s safe to assume that we won’t be disappointed. Been hibernating the last 20 years (2020 is a hell of a year to pick for waking up)? Here’s the skinny: Rocky’s been a legend since the 90s cigar boom and is consistently one of the top sellers nationwide. Enough with the resume and pleasantries. Let’s get to the cigars you came to see!

Rocky Patel Grand Reserve

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Proprietary
Filler: Propriety

Originally only available in Europe, Rocky Patel Grand Reserve has finally made its way across the pond. Here’s what we know: its Ecuador Habano wrapper nestles a bouquet of tobaccos that Rocky’s kept close to the vest. While we don’t know which ones he’s got in there, we know that they taste pretty damn good! The smoke is lightly sweet with notes of cocoa, citrus, and some herbal qualities on the finish. Now you don’t have to hop on the red eye to enjoy it!

Rocky Patel Winter Collection 2020

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras and Nicaragua

Winter is coming whether we like it or not, but not everything with ‘winter’ in its name sucks. Case–in–point: Rocky Patel Winter Collection 2020. This year’s all-new blend will thaw a week’s worth of stress like salt on an icy driveway. Indulge in notes of spices, wood, and a mouthwatering natural sweetness from a dark Mexican Maduro wrapper. We can go into the season kicking and screaming…or make the best of it with an epic cigar like this.

Rocky Patel Hamlet 2020

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Honduras Broadleaf
Filler: Honduras and Nicaragua

To be, or not to be: that is the…no, no. Not that Hamlet. We’re talking about Hamlet Paredes, the legendary Cuban torcedor who’s been collaborating with Rocky since 2015. The three previous releases have all been critically acclaimed across the board – including our Hamlet Liberation review – but RP Hamlet 2020 seems to be just a bit more special. Medium in body and pleasant, the smoke is aromatic and complex with Cuban-style flavors that give you something new with every puff.

If you’re smoking something new – Rocky or otherwise – hit me up in the comments below and tell me what’s impressing your palate!