The Rocky Patel Liberation by Hamlet Robusto hits the sweet spot for Nicaraguan enthusiasts craving complexity in a 5"x50 format. Priced at $189 per box of 20, this medium-full bodied stick features an oily Ecuador Habano wrapper hugging Nicaraguan binder and Honduran/Nicaraguan fillers. Rolled at RP's TaviCusa factory in Estelí, it commemorates blender Hamlet Paredes' third collaboration with the brand - and his most daring yet.
First Third: The shaggy foot lights easily, releasing black pepper spikes through the nose with dark chocolate undertones. Earthy notes emerge at the 1" mark - think damp forest floor after rain.
Middle Third: Transition brings molasses sweetness balancing the Nicaraguan pepper. Watch for cinnamon dusting on the retrohale around the band point. Draw stays effortless despite the compact roll.
Final Third: Strength climbs noticeably past the nub. Leather and espresso dominate as oils concentrate. Ends with charred almond bitterness that split testers - half praised its boldness, others reached for water.
The box-pressed samples showed minimal vein lines with triple-seam caps that held firm. Average smoke time clocked 75 minutes. Two testers reported minor canoeing in humid conditions (65% RH) - dry-boxing 3 hours eliminated issues.
