Rocky Patel Edge Missile - Maduro
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
Rocky Patel is taking the non-Cuban cigar market by storm. Although the brand has not been around for more than a decade, Rocky Patel has managed to produce high quality cigars that instantly became very popular. The Rocky Patel cigars combine quality, variety and value.
The “Edge” is one of Rocky Patel’s most famous lines. It is produced in Honduras, and it comes in two sizes (Toro and Missile) and with two wrappers (Corojo and Maduro). It is intended “For Serious Smokers” and the label on the box advises you to “smoke while seated”!
Today we will be reviewing the “Missile” maduro, a belicoso - type (48 ring gage) cigar, wrapped in a dark, oily and veiny wrapper. The cigar bears no label; its appearance though is truly unique. Once you smoke an Edge, you will be able to recognise it on sight. Missile or Toro, Maduro or Corojo, every Edge looks identical. This is due to the very strict quality control, which has been the foundation of Rocky Patel’s reputation over the years.
The cigar is very tightly rolled, getting the smoker to think that it may have draw issues. Strong aromas of cedar and cocoa are present and the wrapper leave a sweet taste on your lips.
Upon lightinhg, the cigar fills your palate with thick smoke. Stront taste of wood is present and the draw is flawless. What we find very distinctive in the Edge is the cool sensation the smoke leaves on your palate. The closest taste to describe it would be Menthol!
On the second third the cigar presents flavours of cocoa and dark chocolate. On the downside, if you are smoking the cigar fast, the taste can get quite bitter, but not unpleasant. The burn is very even and, leaving a thick white ash behind.
On the last third, the tastes of cocoa, wood and dark chocolate become even more intense. The “Edge” reveals its true “Full Full Full” character and can get any smoker down to his knees! The consistency of the cigar is remarkable. It does not get hot until you are at the very end of it and the taste is pleasant until the moment the cigar is left resting on the ashtray.
Overall, the Edge has been one of our favourite non-cuban cigars. Its distinctive taste and appearance, its unique flavour and the amazing value have made this cigar a huge success worldwide. However, aesthetically, Rocky Patel has to improve this line. Already, the new Edge bear labels on the foot of the cigar. We hope the will be some improvement on the packaging too, as the “rough” look would probably not sit well beside your lacquered, limitied edition, hand-made, engraved cigar boxes.
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5 Comments
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I have had the pleasure of smoking this cigar on my trips to the USA and all I can say is WOW. This is an unbelievable cigar, very well reviewed by cigars.ie.
My experience everytime is that it remains cool all the way to the finish, something I have not found in too many cigars. If you happen to be a non-believer in non-cuban cigars, I urge you to try the ‘Edge’. I think you might be pleasantly surprised.
Nice post Dan. I like the bit about non-believers in non-cuban cigars.
I myself used to be one of the above mentioned, but I have tried some non-cubans like Rocky Patel, Macanudo, Opus X, and Padron, and I have to admit they are often as good as any Cuban I have ever smoked. Not always, but often. In fact where they often outperform the Cuban cigars is in their construction. Always burn and draw well and seldom have to be relit. I don’t know why this is so. Any opinions would be welcome.
In all honesty: I love my Rocky P’s. For me it is the Rocky Patel Sun Grown Junior. The taste and the draw is great and they are not that expensive. Really good to enjoy myself.
The Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 and 1992 series is now available in Dublin, as well as the Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Just relax, light it up, close your eyes and smoke without prejudice. Satisfaction guaranteed.
I first smoked Rocky’s Edge Cigars at his Plantation in Honduras. Admittedly this is a good relatively inexpensive cigar. I personally prefer his Olde World Reserve. Before I moved to the UK I was a tobacconist in the US, and used to describe this delicious vitola as the closet to a Cuban that you could legally get in the US. Rocky himself is a gentleman of the first degree and has established himself as one of the true heavyweights in the industry. Personally, I wish we could get more of the depth of his line on this side of the pond.