After 10 years, this cigar is still DOMINATING!

When you think of the major players in the cigar industry you think of such brands like Padron, Montecristo and Macanudo. However in the midst of the 90’s cigar boom another major player came to the game, Rocky Patel. Starting out as a Hollywood lawyer but shifting to his passion for cigars, he has made a tremendous impact in the cigar industry and isn’t stopping anytime soon. With many highly rated lines, several of which have been named to the best cigar of the year lists, today we are focusing on one of the most iconic cigars ever created in the industry, the Rocky Patel Decade.

The Rocky Patel Decade was first released in 2007 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his company. Almost immediately it was hailed as one of the BEST cigars of the year. The Decade was even named to the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars of the year list upon it’s release, while achieving a huge 95 rating. Since then this cigar has been one of the cornerstones of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, as it continues to be one of their absolute best selling blends.

Hand rolled in the El Paraiso factory in Honduras, this cigar uses a secret blend of tobaccos that is draped in a beautiful Ecuadorian Sumatra Wrapper. Now if you just look this cigar up on the internet, it’s probably a safe bet you will NOT find the secret ingredient in this blend.  Most tell you it’s comprised of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler tobaccos which is only half correct. The actual filler tobaccos are 50% Honduran from the Jamastran Valley while the other 50% is Panamanian tobacco. Yes I said Panamanian tobacco. How do I know the sites that say Nicaraguan are wrong? I‘ve heard it directly from Rocky Patel‘s own mouth it’s Panamanian tobacco.   

The Decade comes in a beautiful but rough, physical rough looking box. The exterior of the box is coated in what can only be described as the spray on liners for your truck bed. Rough and black with a picture that looks hand drawn on the lid and inside of the box featuring Rocky Patel working in the fields or factory. There are multiple variations used on the boxes depending on cigar size. The bands in the last several years have remained mostly the same, but updated to add a little shine in the writing, rather than the original flat lettering when first produced.  

Cut, Light, Smoke:

The cold draw has a perfect amount of airflow that gives off some touches of nuts and earth which are common flavors you find in Honduran and Sumatra tobacco. After the initial light you’ll be hit with a bit of spice that mixes well with the ongoing nut and coffee notes throughout. Leather makes its way into you mouth as you continue to puff this beautifully crafted cigar.  Once I passed the halfway point I found the coffee was met with a rich chocolate that Continued to mix with the pleasing leather notes. 

Thoughts:

The Rocky Patel Decade is an absolute must have for those that love Rocky Patel Cigars, and a definite must try for those who aren’t that familiar with them.  A cigar that helped put Rocky on the map besides the Vintage 1990 and Vintage 1992 that we previous discussed in a past post. The Decade has the complexity and top notch construction that you look for in a great cigar. Needles to say, my last 3 cigars have been this same incredible blend now that I have added them back into our humidor for you to thoroughly enjoy as I am. There is a reason the Decade became such an icon in the cigar game, and will be for many years still to come. 

Be sure to come in an check out the areas best selection of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars today!