Let's cut straight to the chase with this 4.5" x 50 Rothchild from Rocky Patel. Packaged in boxes of 50 sticks priced at $261, this Connecticut-wrapped cigar offers surprising value from a brand known for premium pricing. The Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut shade wrapper glistens with just enough oil to hint at decent aging potential, while Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos hide their origins like a poker face.
First Third: Immediate creaminess coats the palate with cashew nuttiness. The draw feels slightly resistant - not enough to puncture, but enough to make you check the cap. Sweet hay notes emerge at the 10-minute mark, though nicotine barely registers on the Richter scale.
Middle Third: Transition brings white pepper sprinkles across the tongue. The burn line walks straighter than a sober tightrope walker, ash holding firm in half-inch increments. Noticeable increase in toasted almond flavors, particularly when paired with black coffee.
Final Third: Last inch introduces damp earth undertones without crossing into bitterness. Retrohale reveals hidden baking spices - think cinnamon dust, not chili punch. Stopped at nub stage with minimal tar buildup, though wrapper began flaking near band removal.
The triple cap held firm despite aggressive chewing. Wrapper elasticity proved adequate - no splits during 65% RH smoking conditions. Compact ash indicated proper fermentation, though occasional canoeing occurred in breezy environments. Box code analysis suggested 18-month age on tobaccos.
