Celebrate 25 years of Rocky Patel's cigar craftsmanship with this toro-sized showstopper. Priced at $269.10 per box of 20, the 6.5"x52 stick comes draped in oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro. What really gets aficionados talking? The blend uses Nicaraguan filler and Honduran binder tobaccos aged for 10 years before rolling - then sleeps another 2 years in the humidor before release.
The cold draw teases earth and raisin notes. On ignition, expect an espresso blast wrapped in dark chocolate - the 10-year-aged Nicaraguan filler shows its teeth early. Black pepper tingles the nostrils on retrohale, while dense smoke coats the palate like Turkish coffee sludge.
Around the 2" mark, leather and damp earth flavors emerge. The spice transforms from sharp pepper to warming cinnamon, with occasional pecan nuttiness cutting through. Watch the burn line - these well-packed sticks hold ash beautifully but demand slow puffing to avoid heat buildup.
The last third turns mineral-forward with bitter cacao nibs and charcoal hints. Strength ramps up noticeably - nicotine-sensitive smokers might tap out here. For diehards, there's reward in the lingering licorice aftertaste that sticks to your lips like good bourbon residue.
Rolled at Rocky's TaviCusa factory in Estelí, these cigars benefit from both modern quality control and old-school techniques. The facility's 7-million annual output might sound industrial, but the Quarter Century line gets boutique treatment - each batch receives extra hands-on inspection before boxing.
