Rocky Patel Special Edition Robusto
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Rocky Patel Special Edition Robusto
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The Cigar:
For the Rocky Patel Special Edition, Rocky has unveiled a unique blend of small-batch tobaccos, creating a medium-bodied union of complex smoke. Available in three contemporary vitolas – Robusto, Toro, Sixty – Rocky Patel Special Edition is crafted by the advanced rollers at Rocky’s boutique Nicaraguan factory called TaviCusa. The 95-rated Rocky Patel Special Edition is an exclusive brand found only at select tobacconists nationwide. This blend is a brick and mortar exclusive reserved for Rocky Patel top accounts. The cigar is box pressed and made with a Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers and binders.
The Flavor:
The cigar is intense but has very little spice, much more of a coffee and dark plum sweetness to the finish. It is dark and rich from start to finish. Easily my favorite Rocky Patel on the market.
The Beer:
A roasty scotch ale with a hint of smoke. Full-bodied, but not overpowering. Smokey, but not in a creepy bar kind of way. Sweet, but not obnoxiously so. In a difficult hop-growing climate, Scottish brewers relied on other ingredients to impart flavor and bitterness – one such ingredient was smoked malt. Drafty Kilt is a dark, malty bombshell of a beer.
The Pairing:
A cold beer and premium cigar is always an easy pairing to choose, but this combination takes it to a new level. Both are full of flavor and depth but they work together to harness the notes instead of overpower each other. Sometime with a great pairing you simply want more of the same thing, that is the concept of this, more coffee more richness and more sweetness.
The Man:
Rocky Patel
In the premium cigar industry, Rocky Patel has become a household name in a relatively short amount of time. He was born in India on February 26, 1961. At the age of 14, he arrived with his family in Green Bay, WI, later relocating to Los Angeles where he became an entertainment lawyer. It was in the movie industry that he was first exposed to premium cigars. ⠀
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Rocky quickly turned his passion into business and started branding his own cigars under the name, “Indian Tobac.” For 7 years, he immersed himself in the fields and barns of Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic educating himself and his palette. In 2003 he changed the name of his company to Rocky Patel Premium Cigars. ⠀
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Rocky Patels first brand, the Vintage series, has become his flagship, consisting of the 1990, 1992, 1999, 2003, and 2006. Since then, Patel has released many successful and very diverse lines, including the #2 cigar of 2016 Sun Grown Maduro. In addition to his constant traveling and hosting tours at both his factories, Rocky focuses on production and blending, all while striving for one hundred percent consistency, and quality for the cigar community.
Camacho American Barrel Aged
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Camacho American Barrel Aged
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The Cigar:
An intense smoke that sets the tone for a life without limits. Inspired by the uncompromising craftsmanship of Kentucky bourbon makers, our master builders have blazed new frontiers in complexity. This cigar features tobacco from USA. The binder and wrapper are both USA Broadleaf and the filler is a mixture between USA - Broadleaf, USA - Pennsylvania Maduro, Honduras - Barrel-Aged Corojo.
The Flavor:
American Barrel Aged showcases bold notes of pepper, cashew, and sweet spices that are accented by a slight undertone of bourbon to deliver a blend you won’t soon forget. The finishing notes of this cigar fades with dark roasted coffee and chard oak barrel.
The Bottle:
Belle Meade Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish™ is the third release in our award-winning Special Cask Finish Series. Like its predecessors, careful crafting and patience results in a product that showcases both a taste of America's Native Spirit and the Old World wine-making methods used in Madeira production.
The Pairing:
A great bourbon paired with a cigar is one of the most classic American Pairings. This one is no different. Earth, Spice, Power and Flavor, everything you need in an exciting pairing.
The Story:
Utilizing nearly 100% American leaves, Camacho Barrel Aged boasts a bold, oily Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper with American Broadleaf tobaccos also making appearances in the binder and filler tobaccos. The key to the blend comes in the form of a special Corojo filler leaf that’s aged for 6 years, only to be additionally stored in bourbon barrels to impart a truly unique flavor to an already stellar blend. The first Camacho to be produced in Davidoff of Geneva's prestigious Dominican factory.
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Romeo y Julieta
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Romeo y Julieta
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The Cigar:
The Romeo 1875 has seen a few differently blends by a few different factories, but this time the Plasencia family based in Nicaragua has created a compete new expertness to satisfy the Romeo smoker. This cigar features a true Nicaragua Connecticut wrapper, most Connecticut coming from the US or Ecuador, but now that beautiful seed has been bought to a dedicated and experienced family.
The Flavors:
Much more delicate than anticipated, this blend is perfect for any Connecticut smoker, but especially an original Romeo 1875 fan. It has the silkiness that I always look for in a well aged mild cigar, notes of cream and hay take over the palate. The Bitterness and Saltiness is just enough to balance the natural sweetness, but does not dominate the flavors like most other Nicaraguan Connecticut’s.
The Bottle:
Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whisky has a storied past with a heritage that commemorates Philadelphia’s famous Rittenhouse Square. This award-winning whiskey carries a distinct, spicy flavor, and is produced in the tradition of the classic rye whiskeys that once dominated American whiskey. This is a Rye you can find just about anywhere, and for a great price point for the flavors and quality.
The Pairing:
100 proof rye that has a roasted caramel flavor base is the perfect pairing for a full flavor but delicate intensity Nicaraguan Connecticut. They combine on the palate to balance the flavors and deepen the experience.
The Story:
a brand new Romeo y Julieta featuring a unique shade-grown Nicaraguan Connecticut-seed wrapper produced on farms owned by the Plasencia family that was aged for more than three years. Aptly named Romeo y Julieta 1875 Nicaragua Connecticut—the date refers to the year that the original Cuban Romeo y Julieta brand was established—the new regular production line took almost two years to complete and includes Nicaraguan tobacco in both the binder and filler.
“Getting to work with the Plasencia family on this cigar which uses a Connecticut seed wrapper grown in Nicaragua, is for me an honor,” said Rafael Nodal, head of product capability for Tabacalera USA, in a press release. “This cigar is intriguing. It’s not a Connecticut cigar, nor is it a Nicaragua cigar. It is the first Connecticut-Nicaragua Cigar. And that makes for a big difference.”
The Brand:
If you have ever enjoyed a premium cigar, there's a good chance you've enjoyed a cigar crafted by Altadis U.S.A. Responsible for many of the world's most renowned brands including Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, and Trinidad, Altadis U.S.A. has been crafting great cigars since 1918.
Over the years, Altadis U.S.A. has grown into one of the largest cigar companies in the world and has gained access to the finest tobacco leaves from growers worldwide. This allows us to fulfill our mission to provide the highest quality products at a fair price. Across all our brands, adult connoisseurs have come to enjoy the consistency and well-made construction that signify Altadis U.S.A. cigars.
Avo Ritmo
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Avo Ritmo
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The Cigar:
AVO Ritmo is made, using a rare collection of tobaccos from Peru, Brazil and Ecuador which are elegantly arranged with Central American tobaccos from Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico. The complex blending philosophy shines in the flavor profile. Unique experience is the best way to describe this blend from start to finish.
The Flavors:
The complexity of exotic filler tobaccos takes over your palate with deep flavors of roasted nuts and black pepper and prepares you for a journey unmatched. Midway through, spiciness and earthy flavors arise and mingle with sweet chili notes. Cocoa and black coffee flavors remain prominent as a rich creaminess emerges.
The Tea:
Each USDA-Certified Organic flavor is blended by masters using the finest blend of tea leaves, herbs, spices and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mosaic Tea comes in six flavor-forward varieties to please your palate: Chai, Chamomile, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Jasmine and Green Tea Matcha.
The Pairing:
Hot Tea is a classic pairing for premium cigars but it has been forgotten in the current culture. The complex flavor forward beverage is perfect for a blend with this many components. There is no stability in this experience, every puff is a new flavor and every sip brings something different to the palate. This is fun and exciting throughout the entire cigar.
The Story:
The AVO Syncro Ritmo composes the rugged flavor of an ancient civilization with the sophisticated style of AVO. Raw in nature and polished in experience, it is a blend a thousand years in the making, inspired by the worldly spirit of a cigar legend. In keeping with the brand’s tradition of incorporating music terms into its name, ritmo is the Spanish word for rhythm.
The Man:
Avo Uvezian was born in 1926 in Beirut, Lebanon. He made a name for himself as a jazz pianist who traveled the world playing and composing with many of the greats, including the legendary Frank Sinatra. Uvezian gained notoriety amongst friends and the industry for his passion of cigars and the selection he smoked and shared during his performances. Shortly after he was introduced to Davidoff’s own Henke Kelner, the Avo line of cigars was born. His classic, delicate, flavorful cigars became and remain world-renowned. He celebrated 91 years before passing in 2017. “In anything that I do, quality is important”
-Avo Uvezian .
Davidoff Colorado Claro
Today’s Featured Cigar:
Davidoff Colorado Claro
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The Cigar:
Davidoff is synonymous with luxury, as well as the finest handmade Dominican cigars. The Davidoff Colorado Claro series has been produced in very small quantities due to the tobaccos used in this blend not always being available. Making it a Limited release for the cigar enthusiasts and aficionados who seek an exceptional taste experience.The Colorado Claro series features a rare sun-grown Connecticut Ecuador wrapper reminiscent of the Cuban varietal - a dark, reddish-brown appearance, this rare wrapper produces a unique strong flavor.
The Flavors:
Unique is the best and only way to describe the Davidoff Colorado Claro. It is a complex blend with elegance and a balanced flavor profile, which is all extremely hard to do, especially with such a rare wrapper because your consistency could be much lower based on the yield of the production. Baking spices shines on my palate as I smoke this blend but in more of a sweet fall dessert way.
The Cocktail:
The Manhattan was the most famous cocktail in the world shortly after it was invented in New York City’s Manhattan Club, some time around 1880 (as the story goes). Over the years, the whiskey classic has dipped in and out of fashion before finding its footing as one of the cornerstones of the craft cocktail renaissance.
Ingredients:
2 ounces bourbon or rye
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Garnish: brandied cherry
Method:
Add the bourbon (or rye), sweet vermouth and both bitters to a mixing glass with ice, and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe.
Garnish with a brandied cherry.
The Pairing:
The cigar and the cocktail just scream luxury to me. A classic Manhattan drink is a great way to shoot back in time to the turn of the century when these famous cocktails were being invented. The sweet vermouth from the cocktail darkens the flavor profile and really creates a silky texture on the palate. The Rye whiskey adds a beautiful spice to compliment the cinnamon note in the cigar. This is one of the most well rounded pairings I’ve done.
The Story:
Colorado Claro was named simply after that shade it became. The tobacco industry has 6 categories of wrapper shades and classifications. Starting with the lightest (Still green) Candela, Claro, Colorado Claro, Colorado, Maduro, Oscaro being the darkest. The tobacco aged into a beautiful brownish red that perfectly captures the colorado claro shade. The second story behind this blend is that it actually the same binder and fillers at the Davidoff Anniversario. The wrapper change completely hence the experience and strengthens the complexity of the blend.
The Brand:
The Davidoff brand is truly the Bentley of the cigar industry. The brand stays true to their core values of Quality, Consistency & Innovation to continuously produce an unparalleled, flavorful, and elegant smoking experience. “Smoke less, but better. And then turn that process into philosophy.” - Zino Davidoff