This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
It comes in four sizes and 20 count boxes: Robusto (5 1/2 x 50) — $9.55, Toro (6 1/2 x 52) — $10.10, Churchill (7 x 48) — $10.10, Sixty (6 x 60) — $11.75. The blend uses a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over a Connecticut broadleaf binder and Nicaraguan filller.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Conneticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: TAVICUSA
Blender: Rocky Patel
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jeff(ExpendableYouth) Diana(ArmyRN) Adam B.(Bushboy) Derek(StogieNinja) Matt (Mattehh)
Price: $10.10
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: August 2017
Contributed by: Rocky Patel Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“The wrapper is a shiny medium-dark brown wrapper. It has small veins running throughout it, and a few slight larger ones. The wrap lines are tight and uniform running all the way to a uniform shoulder, and evenly applied double cap. The cigar itself is densely packed with a couple of soft spots. Overall, this is a nice looking cigar. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“From the first few puffs this cigar is full of earthy, meaty flavors. Touch of sweetness on the finish which is dominated by a nice licorice aftertaste. Dark cherry wood are pleasant and the aroma is fantastic. Burn is slow and the construction is very tight. I am trying to loosen by rolling in my fingers as I progress through this cigar.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Opened up with a slight woody note that is also sweet. Cocoa throughout the first third. Very little spice if any at all. Mostly get a little on the retrohale. Burn is a little wavy but nothing to worry about. Ash holds on for an inch or so.” –Matt (Mattehh)
“Extremely deep and savory earth and cherry hardwood flavors carry over from the first third. Slight sweetness not he finish still, and the licorice aftertaste detected early is still present. Burn is still tight, but it’s a fun cigar to chew on. The aroma is quite nice and the burn line has stayed close to perfect to this point. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Nothing has changed since the first third. Still a nice sweetness with a wood and chocolate note. The burn is still spot on and the ash is staying for an inch. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
“The final third is the best part of this cigar in my opinion. The bitterness hangs on but is balanced by more leather. There is very little flavor from anything else and the chocolate, nuttiness is only in the background. A smokey flavor is mixed in with the leather but it is very lacking in complexity.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Still plenty of rich cocoa notes and cedar up front. Still too much oak and vegetal bitterness distracting from what is otherwise a good blend. The balance is somewhat better, but it’s just not quite where it needs to be to satisfy.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 88
“Great draw with no issues to note.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Burn: 94
“The burn was a little wavy but was consistent otherwise. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Construction: 90
“Construction was firm and performed well. Besides the tight draw, no complaints.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Unfortunately, the cigar wrapper came off and the binder loosened to the point where I could no longer smoke it. The half of the cigar that I got to smoke was pretty good and hopefully my fellow reviewers can give a better review. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“This was definitely not a good cigar for me. I suspect some aging might help it overcome some bitterness and bring the limited flavors forward. However, the lack of complexity made this a cigar that I would only use as a yard gar rather than let it go to waste in my humidor. I would not smoke it for sitting and relaxing time. The best part of the cigar was the last third and I would struggle to get through the first 2 thirds to reach the sweet spot of a fair smoke.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Overall this was a pretty good smoke. The flavors were spicy and smokey and left a tingle on the palate. The restricted airflow hindered my opinion a touch but still not a bad cigar. The firmness of the cigar allowed me to chew on it a bit more than usual which i enjoyed. Aroma excellent throughout. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“It wasn’t bad, it’s just not great. It’s off balance, like it’s missing something in the middle, like baking spice or warmth to round out the middle where it’s thin. I can’t help but wish the bitterness and oak would go away. Hard to tell if it’s youth or blend, but it’s not quite there yet. I would be interested in laying one down for a six months to a year and revisiting to see if the problem is youth, or blend. Either way, not one I can fully recommend at this point.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
“Overall this was a great smoke. Very enjoyable flavors. The nice sweet woody notes over top the cocoa were great. Construction was near perfect. ” –Matt (Mattehh)
Blind Cigar Review: Rocky Patel | Vintage 2006 San Andreas Toro
Summary
"Overall this was a pretty good smoke. The flavors were spicy and smokey and left a tingle on the palate. The restricted airflow hindered my opinion a touch but still not a bad cigar. The firmness of the cigar allowed me to chew on it a bit more than usual which i enjoyed. Aroma excellent throughout. " -Adam B. (Bushboy)
