Rocky Patel Royale

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: (Double): Connecticut Broadleaf, Connecticut Shade
Filler: Nicaraguan
Toro: 6 1/2 x 54
SRP: 187.00 Box of 20 (BestCigarPrices.com)

We assessed this cigar in depth on September 11th on Cigar Coop.

The blend for this has been reported a bunch of different times, so its hard to tell if the information reported was accurate or changing along the way. Cigar Dave first announced this cigar on 5/11/13 as having Honduran filler. The 7/9/13 Cigar Insider reported it having a Nicaraguan binder and filler. On 9/10/13, Cigar Insider had the blend information as per above.

This was actually a pretty smooth Ecuadorian Sumatra blend. It has notes of coffee, earth, cream, and citrus. The pepper was not overwhelming on this blend – a surprise for a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. I detected red pepper through the retro-hale and some on the tongue, but neither overpowered me. The cigar is medium to full-bodied with medium strength. I found the burn and draw to be excellent.

Ecuadorian Sumatra box-press cigars seem to be a staple of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars. The company is best known for its Decade and Vintage 1992 cigars of this wrapper and style. While the RP Royale is a good cigar, I’m not sure its going to bounce those other two blends out of a humidor.