Blind Cigar Review: Rocky Patel | Catch 22 Toro (Prerelease)

Cigar Info

The Catch Twenty-Two is one of four new lines of cigars that were launched by Rocky Patel Premium Cigars at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. The Catch Twenty-Two is meant to be a value-priced, premium cigar in the Rocky Patel portfolio. The name Catch Twenty-Two is because the company says that this is a cigar being sold for less than it is actually worth, thus that’s the “catch”. In fact, all of the cigars have an SRP of under $5.50. The company says that no other cigar combines quality and value as well as the Catch Twenty-Two.

It will be released in four sizes, a toro (6 x 52) toro, Sixty (6 x 60), double corona (7 1/2 x 52), and Rothchild (4 1⁄2 x 50). The Rothchild is being offered in 50-count boxes, while the other sizes will come in boxes containing 22 cigars. Suggested retail pricing is between $4.50 and $5.50 per cigar before taxes.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Corojo
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Honduras and Mexico
Factory: HATSA
Blender: Rocky Patel
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Sandeep (Djangos) Paul (pmr1010) Wes (SosaCub4Life) Jiunn (jliu)
Price: $5.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: October 2014
Contributed by: Rocky Patel

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“Very nice looking cigar. Slight shine to the dark brown wrapper. Seams are almost invisible and the cap is perfect. There are a few prominent veins, but overall it’s a beautiful cigar.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Aroma: 92

“Pre-light aroma is of cinnamon and other baking spices. There is also some leather in the background. The dry draw however, is more of an ashy taste with some pepper to the tip of the tongue.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Upon lighting, the first few puffs gave me a lot of the leather I was expecting to taste, but I also got quite a bit of hearty tobacco and some chocolate. This is starting off very nice indeed. Tangy leather was the most prominent flavor I tasted, but the chocolate did keep up well. Smooth smoke gave a thick creamy mouth feel. Substance, lots of substance in the smoke. The chocolate came and went towards the end of the first third, but the tangy leather stayed throughout.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“First handful of draws reveal warming black pepper, cedar, semi-sweet chocolate and gritty earth/dirt. Through retrohaling, the semi-sweet chocolate and black pepper is more pronounced. Decent start thus far. About an inch and a half in to the end of the first third, the gritty earth/dirt subsides and picks up nice notes of bready, nutty and floral notes.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The middle third is definitely better than the initial third with flavors that are more in tune with each other. The barnyardy aromas are very prominent with hay and grass. There is also some leather as well as black pepper, mostly to the tip of the tongue. The ash and chemical like flavors are thankfully no longer present. No issues with the burn or draw. The smoke production has definitely improved in this third.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“Going into the second third, the flavors have stayed pretty much the same. The spice has calmed some but this stick has been very enjoyable. The ash it is holding is amazing (and it’s even a bit windy out here). Picking up a bit of sweetness along with the creamy spice. Smoke has been just great so far.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The wood flavor picked up and brought a little heat with it as it neared the end. More pepper moved forward, pushing the allspice flavor back as it did. The coffee kept its rich taste and blended well with the leather, although it did have a dryness to it at the very end.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Last third creates a better smoking experience in the body and strength department. Body is now at a solid medium and the strength is kicked up to a medium full. Pleasant notes of coffee, amped up sweetness and creaminess. The black pepper is welcomed back into the mix adding a fuller and rounder mouthful.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 97

“The draw was good. A bit tight at times, but overall very good.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

Burn: 94

“For the majority of the first third, there was a clean burning edge. With the second third, there were a few slight points here and there along the edge, but I attribute that mainly to veins in the wrapper. The final third didn’t have any of that though and was nearly perfect.” –Paul (pmr1010)

Construction: 94

“Great construction in the sense of no re-lights or touch-ups needed at all.” –Jiunn (jliu)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 91

“The cigar finished better than it started ,and I enjoyed the flavors and kick that it had. I would like to revisit this one again.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Overall, the cigar was OK but not great. There was some complexity but not flavors that seemed to gel with one another. The chemical and ash like flavors were not pleasant in my opinion but may be liked by others. Definitely not in my profile.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“I really enjoyed this cigar quite a bit. It had a mellow and smooth smoke for almost the entire time, never harsh and never bitter. I kept thinking while I was smoking that this would be a great late spring or summer smoke because it was so bright tasting. It had a fresh upbeat taste that was medium-full in flavor, so it would be a great way to end the day. Nicely constructed too made it a big hit for me.” –Paul (pmr1010)

“I have thoroughly enjoyed this cigar from start to finish. It’s had a perfect blend of spice and creamy sweetness throughout. The ash has held on amazing, burned great and I am smoking it down to the nub. Wonderful cigar.” –Wes (SosaCub4Life)

“Overall, a fair cigar. Nothing foul or great about this cigar. Just a good cigar to kick back to without being over-analytical about it. The first two thirds left me wanting more depth of flavors. The last third hit that mark. I wouldn’t spend my hard earned money on this cigar. If gifted, I would certainly smoke it. A “non-thinking / analytical” cigar likes this is good for a lazy Sunday while packing down some light beer.” –Jiunn (jliu)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 76

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Ron	90	90	88	90	90	88	93	88	90
Sandeep	95	92	88	90	88	97	97	93	88
Paul	90	95	95	95	95	97	95	95	95
Wes	97	92	97	97	95	95	95	97	97
Jiunn	83	88	88	85	88	88	90	95	85

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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Blind Cigar Review: Rocky Patel | Catch 22 Toro (Prerelease)