The Rocky Patel Tabaquero Toro arrives as a 6x52 parejo that demands attention with its dark San Andres wrapper. At $9 per stick ($180/box of 20), this Nicaraguan puro brings Cuban-trained craftsmanship to non-Cuban tobacco. The cigar's secret sauce? Master blender Hamlet Paredes personally curates every leaf in this medium-bodied stick.
Cold draw brings damp earth and molasses. Initial puffs deliver black pepper zing that morphs into toasted cashews. The burn line stays razor-sharp despite the 52 ring gauge. Watch for oil droplets forming on the wrapper - a good sign you've got a well-humidified stick.
At the halfway mark, transitions to bitter chocolate and burnt espresso beans. Retrohale reveals unexpected orange zest. Some find the cocoa notes overpowering here - pairing with mineral water helps cleanse the palate. Ash holds firm for 1.5 inches before dropping.
The last third introduces leather and cumin spice. Nicaraguan tobacco's signature twang emerges but never turns harsh. Smoke time averages 90 minutes. Pro tip: nub this cigar - the final inch concentrates those savory umami notes.
Rolled at Rocky Patel's TaviCusa factory in Estelí, this cigar shows textbook Nicaraguan construction. The triple cap peels cleanly with a straight cut. Draw tests show perfect airflow - no need for draw tools here. Box codes suggest 12-18 month aging pre-release.
This Toro bridges Cuban technique with New World tobacco boldly. While not as refined as Hamlet's Cuban work, it outperforms most $10 sticks. Ideal for late-afternoon smokes when you want complexity without nicotine overload. Seasoned smokers will appreciate the technical execution, while newbies might find the transitions abrupt.
