Meet the Rocky Patel Fifteenth Anniversary Sixty - a beefy 6x60 box-pressed Nicaraguan puro celebrating 15 years of cigar craftsmanship. Wrapped in Ecuadorian Habano leaf with dual binders, this medium-full bodied stogie comes dressed to impress with silver bands and collector-grade black lacquered boxes. At around $13 per stick, it's positioned as an affordable luxury for box purchasers.
The initial draws punch through with black pepper and charred oak. Earthy Nicaraguan core shows through the sweet Habano wrapper - think espresso grounds dipped in dark chocolate. Smoke production stays moderate despite the large ring gauge.
Flavors mellow into roasted nuts and cinnamon stick. Retrohale reveals caramelized sugar notes surprisingly clean for a 60-ring monster. Watch for occasional tunneling issues common in box-pressed Gordos.
Mineral intensity ramps up - pencil lead and flintstone notes dominate. Pepper returns in the nasal passages with increased nicotine punch. Most smokers report cutting it short after 1.5 hours due to strength buildup.
Triple-seam cap holds up well despite massive ring gauge. Box-pressing creates sharp edges that soften after first inch. Burn line tends to canoe in final third - keep lighter handy. Wrapper maintains oily sheen even in 65% RH environments.
While not reaching Padrón's refinement level, this anniversary release outperforms most Nicaraguan Gordos in its price bracket. Best enjoyed as after-dinner smoke with rum or bourbon. Newbies be warned - the 60-ring format delivers serious nicotine payload.
