Stogie Reviews: Rocky Patel “Patel Bros.†Toro
19 Oct 2009
Along with 1961 and Corojo Especial, “Patel Bros.†was one of three blends released by Rocky Patel at the 77th annual International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show in New Orleans. Inaugural shipments of the new line are arriving at retailers across the U.S. as we speak.
This appropriately named four-vitola blend represents the first collaboration between Rocky and his brother, Nimesh. According to Rocky’s website, “the duo worked for years to find a robust and unique wrapper to accompany a special Nicaraguan filler and binder blend.†They finally settled on an interesting choice: a broadleaf wrapper from the fields of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The result is rumored to taste similar to Rocky’s popular Winter Collection.
I was fortunate enough to grab a Patel Bros. Toro (6.5 x 52) when I was covering the IPCPR event back in August. So please note that this review is based off a single pre-release sample.
As you can see, my sample doesn’t include Rocky’s finished band, which features gold lettering on a black and white background. But it does include a dark and toothy wrapper, an absence of large veins or seams, a heavy weight, and a firm feel.
Pre-light, I find intense, mouth-watering aromas of sweet chocolate and espresso, especially off the foot. The well-constructed cap clips neatly to reveal an easy draw and some spice and sweetness on the lips.
Patel Bros. is full-bodied from the start. The first few puffs greet you with a rich taste of coffee, cocoa beans, and black pepper. Then, after the first inch, the flavor mellows slightly while remaining vigorous. A bit chalky, this profile reminds me of the Cain Habano—but perhaps with a little more depth.
Leather comes to the foreground as the winding yet self-correcting burn works down to the final third. All the while, the draw remains clear and the gray ash holds decently.
I enjoyed the young Patel Bros. Toro today, but I fully expect it to improve with age tomorrow. Still, absent any further development, it is already worth its price tag of $6-9 apiece and worthy of four stogies out of five.
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Thanks for the review. Look forward to picking up a few of these soon, probably letting most of them age for a few months.
I hope to see a review of the 1961 here soon.
Isn't this cigar the same blend as the Rocky Winter blend that came out last year? I think Nish told me this at an event I met him at….except he said it had a bit more ligero. Does it remind you of that smoke?
Joe….this smoke definitely reminds me of the Winter. Wasn't as spicy in the beginning of this smoke, which I prefer. But I really enjoyed that PA leaf. The new Liga T52 also has a PA leaf and I expect to see more of this leaf in future releases by other companies. I wouldn't be surprised if a future Pete Johnson release also sports this wrapper.
Rocky Patel continues to produce great cigars! This is one of my favorite RP to date, right up with the edge and the 1961. On the mild side, the 1999 Connecticut is hard to beat. Rocky is also a damn nice guy!
There is NO WAY this can be rated higher than the Olde World Reserve. I agree with most of the ratings, but this one is way off. Thiscigar is average at best. Its mostly power with not enough flavor to back it up. The Olde World Reserve is his gem and they do not let you down. Smoke another Patel Bros. and the smoke and Olde world , then re-think the ratings
This is a great looking stick, oily dark wrapper that begs to be lit!
Starts out spicy with an easy draw and leaves a leathery aftertaste. Not as good as the decade or 1961 but a good smoke.
The pate bros is a great stick. I've never understood the hype behind the decade. I just don't think its that good. I don't think I'm alone on that either. Sun grown, olde world, vintage, this patel bros are all superior sticks