I stopped in to my local Cigar Mojo Thursday evening as the Rocky Patel rep, Alex, was stopping in. It was a fairly quiet evening there, people wise, not really sound wise. Between the air system and the music, I struggle with being able to hear people talk in there (most places, really), it’s fine if I’m there alone, but it’s hard for me 
to carry on a conversation. I have some specific hearing loss issues, so that’s my problem, if we are ever together and I ask you to repeat yourself, that’s why. Anyway, I picked out a couple cigars I hadn’t smoked before, that weren’t the $100 Conviction. I lit up a, A.L.R. Second Edition in the Toro size. I always liked the Rocky Patel Toros, 6½” x 52, I like that extra half inch. The A.L.R. has a San Andrés wrapper, although not maduro to my eye or palate. The binder and filler are Nicaraguan and the “limited” part of the “aged,” “limited” and “rare” is that they only made 120,000 of them. While that seems like a big number, it’s not UNlimited, so there’s that. They are aged 2 years and rare?, not sure about the rare part. I’ve heard raves about this cigar, and it wasn’t inexpensive (by my standards), so I had expectations. Sadly, those expectations were not exceeded, however it was a fine cigar. It has some cocoa and woodyness, I liked it enough, but it wasn’t mindblowing. Solid B+. I left Mojo after the cigar to watch hockey a home, it literally only takes me a TV timeout to get home from there.
Friday evening I smoked another Rocky Patel cigar that I hadn’t smoked before, the Disciple. Why is this Toro only 6″ insead of 6½”? Seems like it comes from the same factory in Nicaragua. I was drawn to the color scheme, and the fact that it was the only other one (besides the aforementioned silly $100 cigar), that I hadn’t moked before. The copper and black bands look sharm against the San Andrés maduro wrapper. With the binder and fillers listed as Nicaraguan, the blend looks identical to the A.L.R., but this is a vastly different cigar! For one, this is one I really liked, which means it will probably be discontinued soon, as happens with every RP cigar I’ve found that I liked. I hope this isn’t the case, this one was right up my alley. It had dark chocolate and dark dried fruits, a flavor combo I like a lot. No complaints about the burn and draw on either of the RP cigars I smoked, I generally have no problems with TAVICUSA output. They do a nice job in that factory, although I’ve probably moked more All Saints than Rocky Patel. This is a must try.
Also while I was at Mojo I grabbed a HVC Seleccion No. 1 Maduro Podorosos, the toro size. I’ve really been enjoying the HVC line and have been trying to sample something new whenever I stop in there. I’ve got some catching up to do. This is yet another San Andrés wrapped cigar with Nicaraguan binder and fillers, I’ve apparently fallen into a rut. A delicious rut, as this is another cigar that I really enjoyed. It would have been totally appropriate for me to have smoked an Upsetters from Foundation as we saw the Bob Marley: One Love movie yesterday, but I neither had one on hand, nor do I desire to smoke an infused cigar. Not even the least bit curious. The HVC Seleccion No. 1 Maduro was really tasty, rich and meaty. I feel compelled to sample the natural version next time. I continue to be impressed with the HVC line. If you’re wondering, “Poderosos” translates to “Powerful”, which I don’t think this cigar necessarily is, but I would call it full bodied.
I believe I promised to announce a winner of the giveaway, which includes a five pack of the Crowned Heads Mother Church, along with five other cigars from my humidor. I have to say, I’m disappointed in the turnout for this one, although it’s better odds for those who entered! I consulted the random number generator and it selected the third comment, which is Craig Gilpin! I might be able to save postage on this one as Craig in addition to having an excellent name, is local. Congrats Craig! Let’s plan to meet up!
That’s all for today, we’re off to tour the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia today. I’m going to resist the urge to smoke some Al Capone cigars (probably not hard). Until the next time.
CigarCraig
I can relate to your comments regarding not following conversations well in a louder environment. It certainly makes life interesting.
I’m glad to hear (pun intended) that Rocky and his cigars are still an excellent product. I’ve always been drawn to his SunGrown and the Decade. I’ll have to give the A.L.R. a try.
Oh wow! That’s amazing and I’m very happy to have won something! Yes Sir, absolutely let’s “meat” up and the Mojo would be a cool place if that works for ya!
Congrats to Craig Gilpin, and thanks to Cigar Craig for the contest!
Congrats Craig Gilpin, i like a few RPs the Sungrown most notably, I’ll have to try out the Disciple , thanks for another contest Craig