The Rocky Patel Hamlet 25th Year Anniversary Toro comes rocking a 6.5"x52 frame wrapped in oily Ecuadorian Habano leaf. This Nicaraguan-made torpedo celebrates master blender Hamlet Paredes' quarter-century in tobacco, blending Pennsylvanian Broadleaf binders with Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. At around $10/stick in 20-count boxes, it's positioned as an accessible luxury smoke for medium-strength lovers.
The initial puffs deliver roasted nuts and black pepper with a cinnamon undertone. Combustion starts razor-sharp with medium smoke output - typical TaviCusa factory precision. A caramelized sweetness emerges around the 1-inch mark, balancing the spice.
Cocoa powder and earthy notes dominate as the burn line passes the band. The Broadleaf binder contributes leathery depth while keeping nicotine strength in check. Draw remains perfect, though some testers note slight tar buildup near the nub.
Dark coffee flavors take over with espresso bitterness in the last inch. Retrohale reveals fleeting floral hints - likely from the Honduran filler. Strength ramps up to medium-full, suggesting newer smokers might want to stop before this stage.
Rolled at RP's TaviCusa factory in Estelí, this anniversary blend uses vintage tobaccos aged 3+ years. The facility's reputation for consistency shows in the cigar's flawless construction - we've smoked multiple samples without a single draw or burn issue.
