Length: 6.00", 152.4mm
Ring Guage: 52
Wrapper: Sumatra
Wrapper has a prominence of large veins which seems to be standard on the edge line cigars. There is a small split in the wrapper near the foot of the cigar and is only present for about a 1/4 of an inch, this I would attribute to the large veins in the leaf. The cigar is a dark chocolatey color and uniform throughout, no sun spots or imperfections from contact between the leaves during the fermentation or curing process.
7/10
Prelight: Effortless draw, strong presence of a dark fruit sweetness, cherry is what come to mind with some woodiness. Reminds me of my grandpa's wood shop when he is working with a fruitwood or a hardwood.8/10
1/3
Flavors seem to be subdued at this point, this is something I have come to expect from Rocky Patel's cigars with the exception of the Old World Reserve. However, there is something there maybe come espresso mixed with cedar? Its not really there at first but shows as the flavors sit on my tongue. Pleasantly though the dirty characteristics of the vintage line cigars is not in this one. Fair amount of spice coming through and I am picking up some chocolate in there as well. Slight unevenness in the burn not to bad and certainly acceptable since this is not an ultra premium cigar. At the end of the first third definite cocoa and cedary sweetness.
6/10
2/3Much better flavors to start the second third of this cigar, sweetness of honey reminds me of goldenrod, with some acidity. Pairing very nicely with my coffee, cafe du monde, if it wasn't 6:30am and I didn't have to goto work this morning I would like to pair this with a bourbon either Elija Craig 18yr or Woodford Reserve. Finish on the palate is remarkably light for a full bodied cigar. More cedar notes are becomming aparent but unfortunately not a lot of depth. The burn has evened out with only 1 touch up for pure anal retentive reasons. Towards the end of this section of the cigar the flavors are becomming muddled with the sweetness diminishing but with some earthier tones overpowering.
7/10
3/3Started harsh unlike the rest of the cigar. Spice has dwindled out to almost nonexistance, as has most of the plesant flavors. Not a nubbing cigar by any means,
took about an hour to reach this point. Increased acidity but not bitter, finish is slightly dirty but this is something I have found to be standard on all of the edge cigars.
5/10
ThoughtsA decent full bodied cigar for a reasonable price, the ash was a very light shade of grey and only slightly flaky. Held an ash for about 1.5inches and when I tapped it off did not leave a clean separation but left some small flakes. To me this cigar should be made in a corona gorda size but that is preference as the cg is my size of preference, however I would like to try this in the missile/belicoso vitola. Would pair well with a medium meal to round out the strength. Better than the natural edge and about on par with the maduro. Lots of smoke throughout another signature of the Rocky Patel cigars, smoked to an inch and a half remaining.
4/5
Overall
36/55
Thanks Steve(cigarguy88) for giving me one of these cigars to try, now you need to smoke one of those old vsgs I gave you in return.
