Rocky Patel 2008 Autumn Collection Robusto

The Rocky Patel 2008 Autumn Collection is a limited edition and will only be available until its short production run is sold out.

Contents: Honduran and Dominican fillers
Wrapper: Connecticut shade
Size: Robusto 5 x 52
Purchased From: Outlaw Cigar Co.
Price: $7.75
Smoke Time: 1.5 hours


Pre-light
The wrapper was thin, delicate, and a little veiny with a couple of dark spots. I noticed an unusual double-cap on the head, likely due to the fine, thin wrapper. The filler was well packed and uniform. The cold draw was a bit tight and offered little in terms of initial flavors.


First Third
A little hard to light at first, took a couple of tries, but then burned well. Smooth, but spicy and peppery to start, it quickly mellowed, loosing almost all the pepper leaving only a hint of spice. The aroma was almost "Swisher" sweet with hints of cloves most prominent when blown through the sinuses. The burn was a bit uneven but required no correction. So far a very pleasant, creamy, medium-bodied smoke.


Second Third
The uneven burn self-corrected and the flavors progressed into a very nice coffee/mocca profile. The sweet/clove aroma persisted. Towards the end of this third the cigar began to die out, requiring a re-light. Bitter ammonia flavors began to come forward. Could have been a plug of leaf-vein which needed to burn through.


Final Third
The thin wrapper began to split from heat expansion and the burn problems and bitter taste continued. Every once in a while I'd get a hint of the cigar's former glory, but the end had come. And come too soon.


Conclusion
A tasty and complex cigar I would have preferred to enjoy longer. Maybe it was just a bad stick, but the chances of finding another are pretty slim. This is the fifth RP cigar I've smoked and even though they were all different products, I've never been able to happily take one to the nub. That said, however, the Rocky Patel 2008 Autumn Collection cigar is one I'd definitely recommend you try, if you can find one!