#nowsmoking: Rocky Patel Winter Collection Robusto

#nowsmoking: Rocky Patel Winter Collection Robusto Cigar Review

Rocky Patel Winter Collection Cigar Review – Robusto 

Factory: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. (TAVICUSA) – Estelí, Nicaragua 
Size: 5½” x 50 
Strength: Medium – Full  
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés  
Binder: Nicaragua  
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras 

Presented in singles, 5-packs, and boxes of 20 

The Rocky Patel Winter Collection Back Story 

Re-released in July 2020, the Rocky Patel Winter Collection is now in its third version. It first appeared in 2009 when the company released limited editions for each of the four seasons. That cigar was made by AJ Fernandez and limited in production to 2,000 boxes per size. It had a round parejo shape, and was rolled in a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper over an all-Nicaraguan core. The line returned in 2012, also as limited edition, with a different blend and box–pressed shapes. That blend had an Ecuador Habano wrapper, Costa Rica & Mexican binders, and fillers from Nicaragua and Panama. 

In an article about the 2020 Winter Collection, Nish Patel said it was one of the company’s  “most sought-after blends.” Now made at Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. in Estelí with a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper and a Nicaraguan-Honduran core blend they’ve also returned to the original parejo shapes in four sizes: 

• Corona (5½ x 42)  
• Robusto (5½ x 50) 
• Toro (6½ x 52) 
• Sixty (6 x 60)   

The Basics At a Glance 

Construction: Well made. The wrapper is even in color and seamlessly rolled. The cap is finished with a triple seam, and once clipped, you can see how well the tobaccos are packed. I found no soft spots and the cigar was comfortable to hold.  
Draw: Very good. Just the right amount of pull.  
Cold Draw: Figs, raisins, and leather. 
Toasting and light: The cigar lit easily and evenly. The initial draws were earthy with some underlying sweetness and peppery spice on the finish.  
Base flavors: Earth, cedar, spice, and sweet tobacco with hints of leather and black coffee. 
Aroma: Campfire-like 
Retrohale: Spicy. 
Burn & Ash: Excellent. The cigar burns evenly exposing firm, light grey ashes that hold on for about an inch before loosening-up.  

ACT I 

This cigar opens with an earthy-spicy shot across the bow and rounds out fairly quickly. What remains is a mix of earth and cedar with some herbal like notes, peppery spice, and sweet tobacco. The flavors are well balanced and there’s a generous amount of creamy smoke. It’s medium bodied at this early stage, too, and the burn is off to a good start. I also got some nice hints of nutmeg and caramel. A mostly sweet and spicy smoke with added notes of earth and wood. I also picked up a nice campfire wood-like aroma.  

ACT II 

In a bizarre flip, the cigar tasted more earthy and spicy with some underlying sweetness. Now the body is more medium-plus, while the core flavors remain unchanged. Mostly sweet–spicy with some darker undertones. Very smooth and well-balanced, with a somewhat dry, medium-length finish. That said, it does leave a fair amount of spice on the palate. The retrohale is more spicy than peppery, and doesn’t leave a stinging sensation in the nose or throat. 

ACT III 

Still no radical changes in flavor, but the strength is now more in the full zone, while the body remains just shy of full. A good volume of smoke continues with that earthy–spicy character chugging along. And to this cigar’s credit, even in that last couple of inches – although it does get earthier and most of the sweetness disappeared – this Robusto never goes full-tilt bitter. So, what we’re looking at is a full-flavored cigar with a nice balance of sweet and spicy elements.  

What can I pair with this cigar besides coffee?  

I showed the Laphroaig Single Malt 10 in the video, but the Laphroaig 16 may be better if you’re looking for a little more sweetness. For Bourbon fans, try Makers Mark. 

(Find more cigar and drink pairing combinations here.) 

Final Thoughts. . .  

Talk about a warm companion on a cool day (it’s snowing as I write this), I’m glad Rocky brought his Winter Collection back. Thanks also to the Rocky Patel fans who urged him to do it. I personally would’ve preferred a box-pressed shape, and I’m even a little surprised Rocky didn’t go for it. That aside, what really stood out for me in this cigar is that it’s classic Rocky; smooth, balanced, rich in flavor, even bold at times, but never over the top. Newer cigar smokers may find it a tad full, but it’s very well rounded. By Spring, it’ll probably shed some of its earthier elements, too.  

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