Rocky Patel, the founder behind the luxury cigar brand, strives for the perfect smoke with every cigar his company produces. If you’ve never encountered a Rocky Patel cigar before, allow us to introduce you to both the brand and some of its most iconic smokes.
What is the history of Rocky Patel cigars?
As far as cigar brands go, Rocky Patel is a relative newcomer to the scene having been founded in the mid-1990s. However, don’t let that fool you.
What Rocky Patel lacks in history it more than makes up for in style and flavour. Founder Rocky Patel has long been passionate about tobacco and he brings that passion to the cigars rolled in his Honduras-based factory.
While Rocky Patel started with just one line – the Indian Tabac – the brand quickly expanded. At the time of writing, it has produced over 100 different lines, which is impressive given it’s still only around 30 years old as a company.
But this is also what makes Rocky Patel a fantastic brand to get on board with because there is always a new blend to try.
What makes Rocky Patel cigars popular?
Without doubt, one of the main reasons Rocky Patel cigars are so popular is because of this dedication to quality. Founder Patel is laser-focused on delivering the ultimate smoking experience and he personally oversees every tobacco blend that gets rolled.
He also perfectly understands the artistry of cigar making. In fact, he even personally hosts factory tours of the Rocky Patel factory in Honduras. That really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Rocky Patel cigars speak to quality and luxury that is hard to beat, which is one of the main reasons they remain popular among smokers. However, their taste is the other reason they are a firm favourite with many.
What are Rocky Patel cigar tasting notes?
One of the true joys of Rocky Patel cigars is that they are all different in terms of their flavour. But one thread ties them together – the aspiration to create complex cigars.
Patel blends tobacco from different regions, a process that requires great skill, to create signature cigars that stand alone. It’s the complexity of flavours that bring people back again and again to this brand.
Let’s look at some of the best Rocky Patel cigars to try if you’re discovering the brand for the first time.
What are the best Rocky Patel cigars to start with?
Rocky Patel Emerald Robusto Cigars
This is a great Rocky Patel cigar to start with if you’re new to the brand, delivering complexity of flavour without hitting too hard. The Emerald Robusto is all about the natural sweetness, coupled with baking spice, pepper and subtle earthiness.
We think this is a good choice if you are looking for an approachable smoke with fresh refined balance.
Rocky Patel Grand Reserve Robusto Cigar
If you’re looking for a truly special smoke, the Rocky Patel Grand Reserve Robusto Cigar is the one to reach for. No one knows the blend of tobacco in this smoke – it’s a closely guarded secret rumoured to be known only to Rocky himself.
What makes this particular cigar so special is the age of the tobacco. What’s more, once each cigar is rolled, it spends a further two years in the aging room before it hits the shelves.
Rocky Patel A.L.R Second Edition Robusto Cigar
This particular edition is rolled in Rocky Patel’s Nicaraguan factory, rather than in Honduras. It has notes of espresso and cocoa, which comes from the blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco.
If you choose this particular cigar, you’re in very good company as Patel has named this as one of his personal favourite smokes from the range. Although he is a big advocate of choosing your cigar to match the moment rather than relying on a single option.
Rocky Patel Number 6 Corona Cigar
This cigar shows a different side of Rocky Patel, with notes of honey and vanilla alongside coffee, bread and earth. That gives this smoke a sweetness that isn’t usually associated with the brand.
The Number 6 Corona Cigar was also named in the top ten list from Cigar Aficionado in 2020, which praised it for its “cohesive flavor profile”.
Rocky Patel Seed To Smoke Classic Toro
If you want to try out Rocky Patel as a brand before committing to some of its more expensive cigars you might want to try the more affordable Seed to Smoke Classic Toro, which comes in at under £15 for a single cigar.
This is an excellent option if you want to experience the quality of Rocky Patel without a high price tag and it will allow you to sample one of the brand’s medium-bodied blends.
Rocky Patel White Label Robusto Cigar
We consider this cigar to be an excellent example of the iconic complexity of Rocky Patel cigars. You’ll get notes of cedar and cream as you smoke, with a delightfully sweet finish. But make no mistake, this cigar has a bold flavour profile.
This is one of the brand’s Nicaraguan cigars and it looks every inch the luxury smoke.
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Petit Corona Cigar
We couldn’t create a list of Rocky Patel cigars and not include one from the brand’s vintage 1990 collection. This is a cigar that has plenty to set it apart – not least of all its 12-year matured Honduran broadleaf wrapper.
This wrapper deepens the complexity of the flavours you’ll get when you smoke and it certainly earns its place in any discerning cigar connoisseur’s collection.
Where to buy Rocky Patel cigars in the UK?
If all of this has got you hankering after a Rocky Patel cigar, fear not! We stock not only the seven excellent cigars we’ve listed here, but plenty more from this iconic brand.
So, whether you are already a fan of Rocky Patel or are only just discovering the brand, we will have what you need. Browse the full range on our website or perhaps give one of our recommendations here a go as a starting point!
