Let's kick things off with Rocky Patel's zodiac-inspired Year of the Dragon Robusto. This 5.5"x52 stick comes in boxes of 5 priced at $85.50, wrapped in oily Mexican San Andrés maduro leaf with dual binders from Honduras and Nicaragua. The all-Nicaraguan filler from Patel's own farms adds serious depth, making this limited release (only 6,000 boxes!) feel like a collector's item with its dragon-emblazoned red packaging.
Cold draw serves earthy sweetness with a cocoa powder finish. Initial puffs deliver espresso bitterness balanced by walnut undertones. The dense smoke carries black pepper that tingles without overwhelming.
Leather emerges as the core flavor, supported by charred hickory notes. Burns razor-straight with gray ash holding strong. Retrohale reveals baking spices - mainly nutmeg and allspice.
Mineral tang cuts through richer mocha flavors. Body shifts to medium-full as nicotine builds. Savory umami notes linger after each exhale. Smart to nub it around the 50-minute mark when tar accumulates.
The Jalapa-grown filler gives this stick its earthy base, while Honduran binder leaves maintain steady combustion. Hand-rolled in Danlí, Honduras using leaves aged since 2014. The San Andrés wrapper shows typical toothiness but with exceptional elasticity - no touch-ups needed during testing.
