This figurado-shaped stogie from Rocky Patel comes in a box of 20 sticks priced at $204.30. Measuring 6 1/4" with a 52 ring gauge, it features an oily Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper hugging Nicaraguan binder and 7-year-aged Dominican/Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. The bold red band with gold foil gives it serious shelf presence - no wonder Cigar Journal called it 2017's best value Honduran brand. Construction feels rock-solid right out the box.
The initial puffs deliver a peppery kick that settles into roasted coffee bean flavors. Thick smoke production with tight ash that holds past the first inch. Earthy undertones emerge midway - think damp forest floor after rain. Draw stays perfect despite the tapered head.
Leather and cocoa dominate now, with a subtle molasses sweetness balancing the spice. Smoke gets creamier as the burn line passes the band. Some nik tingles start building, typical for Nicaraguan-heavy blends. Retrohale shows black pepper and toasted cedar.
Last third brings intensified coffee grounds and a new charred meat savoriness. Tar accumulates near the nub - I clip off ½ inch to avoid bitterness. Strength leans firmly into full-bodied territory here. Total smoke time clocks 85 minutes with standard pacing.
The Honduran-made torpedo sports minimal veins and a triple cap that cuts cleanly. My sample had near-perfect combustion - no canoeing or touch-ups needed. While marketed as "medium-full", it pushes closer to full strength after the midpoint. Let it rest 6+ months if you prefer smoother transitions between flavor phases.
