Rocky Patel Royale Corona is a box-pressed parejo that comes dressed in an oily Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. At 5 1/4" x 42 ring gauge, this Nicaraguan puro delivers medium-full strength smoke with surprising complexity. Packed in boxes of 20 at $168.99, it's become a cult favorite since landing CA's #5 spot in 2014.
First Third: Black pepper bursts through with Nicaraguan intensity, quickly mellowing into roasted almond and 70% dark chocolate notes. The double Connecticut binder keeps the smoke surprisingly creamy despite the power.
Middle Third: Caramel sweetness emerges as the pepper recedes. Look for cedar wood aromas mixing with espresso undertones - a signature of TaviCusa's aged tobaccos.
Final Third: The Sumatra wrapper dominates with leather and baking spices. There's noticeable nicotine buildup by the nub, though the refined combustion prevents harshness.
Hand-rolled at Rocky Patel's boutique TaviCusa factory in Estelí, these cigars showcase Nicaraguan tobacco's volcanic soil minerality. The facility's "triple cap" technique ensures slow, even burns despite the pressed format.
While smokeable fresh, these coronas truly shine after 12-18 months of humidor aging. The sharp pepper transforms into baked apple sweetness while maintaining structural integrity. Buy two boxes - one to smoke now, one to forget in your cabinet.
