Let's talk about this 5x50 robusto that'll set you back about $12.50 per stick in 10-count boxes. The Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Broadleaf comes vacuum-sealed in glass tubes, rocking a dark Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper that's been aging since Bush Sr. was president. What really catches my eye? That oily sheen promising serious flavor - like someone buffed a chocolate bar with bacon grease.
The first inch hits like a lumberjack's breakfast - earthy coffee grounds and black pepper with this weirdly pleasant barnyard funk. Midway through, it morphs into nutty sweetness (think roasted almonds dipped in dark chocolate) with occasional licorice spikes. Final third brings the nicotine kick, those bitter cocoa notes getting darker than my ex's soul, but in a good way.
The Honduran-made stick burns straighter than my college roommate after rehab. Solid ash holds for about 1.5 inches before dropping. Pro tip: Dry-box it for 2 hours if you hate relights - that broadleaf wrapper's thickness can make combustion tricky in humid climates.
