The Rocky Patel Number 6 Toro stands out with its 6½" x52 frame, packing Honduran Corojo wrapper and Nicaraguan-Honduran filler blend. This box-pressed parejo earned its name from batch #6 - the standout tobacco group during curing trials. At $178.40 per 20-count box, it delivers medium-bodied smoke that climbed to Cigar Aficionado's 2020 Top 25 list. Rolled at the modern El Paraiso factory, these cigars showcase exacting construction with triple-seam caps.
First Third: Initial draws release baking spices and toasted cedar, with a subtle undercurrent of cashew butter. Smoke production stays moderate - about 30% denser than typical Connecticut shades. The box-press allows effortless draws despite 52-ring girth.
Middle Third: Core flavors shift toward roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate at the 1-inch burn line. Retrohales introduce black peppercorn tickle without harshness. Ash maintains 1.5-inch segments before dropping, revealing concentric burn rings.
Final Third: Last inch intensifies with leather tones and earthiness, requiring slower puffs to prevent heat buildup. Sweetness resurfaces as caramelized sugar in the final 15 minutes. Average smoke time: 85 minutes.
Produced at Rocky Patel's vertically integrated El Paraiso facility in Honduras, the Number 6 benefits from onsite tobacco sorting and 18-month fermentation cycles. The Corojo wrapper undergoes 6-month kiln drying after harvest. Quality control includes triple moisture checks before boxing - 12-13% ideal range for immediate smoking. Each toro shape requires 78 minutes of manual rolling, using viso-seco-ligero filler ratios optimized for medium-bodied balance.
