Cigar Geeks - Rocky Patel Patel Brothers Toro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Rocky Patel Patel Brothers Toro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Byron (Beegerply)

79
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Cigar Geeks Critique of a vitola provided to us by our friends at Rocky Patel Cigars. Up for review this time is the new Patel Brothers Toro. A special thanks to CG member Akira for setting this one up with Rocky Patel.

Rocky Patel Patel Brothers Toro

Brand:: Rocky Patel
Name:: Patel Brothers Toro
Length:: 6.5
Ring Gauge:: 52
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Pennsylvania
United States
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Full
Shape:: Toro
Average Member Rating:: (4 Review(s))
Notes:: http://www.bonitasmokeshop.com/rocky_patel_patel_brothers_cigars.htm

This cigar was enjoyed with Water and lemon, listening to Iowa public radio.

Pre-Light: 18 Points of 10 Possible

This cigar had a nice dark brown wrapper and a slight oily feel to it. A couple of large veins were noticeable along the body. Smooth to somewhat toothy to the touch with a nice medium heft to it. It was firm from top to bottom, no soft spots; the cap had a sloppy look to it. I cut the cap cleanly using a double guillotine cutter. The aroma from the foot was of sweet barnyard and dry leaves.

Lighting and Burn: 10 Points of 15 Possible

Pre-light draw had a taste of the dry leaves. I toasted the foot without any problems. The draw on light up had a slight restriction to it, but was not an issue. On the first few pulls it started producing a nice volume of smoke, which lasted for the entire smoke. The burn started off straight but quickly started to scallop. During the smoke it required 5 touch ups to correct, which did not set well with me, Bob would have pitched it. The ash had some black areas with a gray hue to it, and held on well past the ½ way point. Along with the burn issues, it also had some draw issues. I expected more due to the construction.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

This cigar was well constructed with a nice dark maduro color.The draw had a slight restriction to it but loosened up after the light. The cap appeared to be applied in a sloppy manner, but cut nicely. The roll, from looking at the foot, looked to be well rolled given that firm feel and heft.

Flavor and Aroma: 23 Points of 45 Possible

Upon lighting, this smoke had a nice creamy and oily taste to it, as well as a nice spice felt along the tongue. Just about a ¼ way in on the first 1/3 it started to have burn issues, and I had to touch up for the first of five times. Towards the last part of the first 1/3 a woody charcoal taste appeared, but was not offensive, it also had a heavy tobacco taste.

Going into the 2/3 I had to touch it up again for the second time, which started to cause some draw issues. The heavy tobacco taste left and settled down with a slight coffee and bitter chocolate. The cigar continued to produce nice volumes of smoke and just past the ½ way point on the 2/3 I once again had to touch up the burn for the 3rd time. During the second half the flavors came and went with the coffee and the chocolate and a slight bitter taste started towards the end of the 2/3.

Starting the last 3/3 the bitter taste went away, but it needed another touch up, that's number four. At the last ½ of the last 3/3 I had touch up number 5, and the flavo of coffee and leather was present. The cigar started getting hot towards the nub and that's when I decided to pitch it. This was a mild to medium smoke for me.

Summary

Overall, this was not what I had expected from this cigar, especially after seeing how well done the construction was. The burn issue was a huge deterrent for me not enjoying this cigar. The flavors where good with the woody charcoal, and spice mixture in the 1/3, but got a little disappointing in the middle and end. Not overly complex, but maybe with some age to it it might improve. I want to thank Bob for letting me go in his place, and maybe on this one he made the right choice, and thanks to the rest of the Geeks for letting me do this. I would like to have a 5 pack to let rest and try again some time if the price was right.