Rocky Patel

[linfield100]

My first Rocky and my first review.
I bought this a few weeks ago. My wife was on a shoe shopping expedition and we found ourselves in Shrewsbury. Whilst she tracked down every shoe shop in the town I headed for the tobacconist's.
I'd done my research earlier and discovered Alards (I think it's called), a decent selection of cigars and pipe tobacco's.
I chose a few tin's of pipe tobacco and decided to select a cigar to ponce around the town with. I ended up keeping it till tonight.

I picked a Rocky Patel as I'd never tried one. I don't know which one it was but, it was 4 5/8" by about 38/40 ring gauge.

A dark brown oily wrapper, a decent construction but a bit knobbly in places.
The draw was perfect with copious amounts of smoke.
First impression's were pepper with a short finish.
After the first inch things improved (My wife agrees with this)
The flavour now developed into a smooth caramel with a hint of pepper.
The ash had an attractive grey and white mottled appearance, which clung on for dear life till the halfway mark, then deposited itself on my shirt which contrasted nicely with the curry stains obtained earlier.

From the first third the pepper seemed to diminish and it became smoother, almost creamy,caramely, and the occasional citrus, lemony taste would hit me.
This continued till the end. Overall, a very pleasant smooth smoke enjoyed in my garage as my wife dosn't like me getting over excited in the house.
I'd give it 7 out of 10
Would I buy another Rocky? Probably Yes

[eggopp]

Sounds like you chose a great cigar there... Great review, i like the RP range and i smoked 2 of them today an edge toro and a sungrown.

[Lee Nub]

Do you still have the band, we could tell you which is it. Rocky really does make some nice sticks, i have quite a few in my humis, though Boss Hogg is the real Rocky expert. Ive been smoking the Sungrowns ive had in the humi for over a year , they just get better and better with age

[El Catador]

Well played Sir - get stuck in and fill yer boots - always interesting to hear peoples opinion on the sticks that come their way

we found ourselves in Shrewsbury. Whilst she tracked down every shoe shop in the town I headed for the tobacconist's.
I'd done my research earlier and discovered Alards (I think it's called), a decent selection of cigars and pipe tobacco's.

Adlards (Sooo close - not important - forget I mentioned it).

Decent selection?
I fear generosity of spirit is clouding your judgement on this particular issue.
I was in there today (as it 'apppens), and sadly, as much as it pains me to say it, the walk-in humidor isn't big enough to lift your elbows, let alone the (just following 'orders') person who unlocked it and followed me in...
Watching over me!
Giving me nightmares!

(I'll be lucky if I sleep a wink!)

As for the selection?
Ohhh dearie me (tuts). Waaay too much of the 'very' limited space taken up by tasteless rubbish, machine made dutch bo**ocks.
More cubans - you muppets, or at least more good NC's.

(I expect they could put them on a shelf at the bottom).

Perhaps if they just showed they 'loved' cigars a bit more, or had some passion or enthusiasm or just a bit of 'ambition' . . . then it could be a great shop. As it is. . . meh.

(Steps down from soap-box, coughs, looks slightly embarrased and then slopes off. Just my opinion, sorry).

[linfield100]

Hi El Catador

Your description of the shop is correct, I didn't want to be overly critical.
The guy who served me was pleasant enough, but I assumed he wasn't a cigar or pipe smoker as he didn't seem to have much knowledge or enthusiasm for what he was selling.
And now I think about it, the cigars I was looking for (D4 or a RASS) I couldn't find.

It's ok if you're in the area and want to grab a smoke, but I wouldn't make a special trip. Hollingsworths in Birmingham is slightly better, Some of the staff can seem miserable though. I'd be overjoyed if I was working in or owned a good Tobacconists.

Lee
It had two red and gold bands with Sun Grown on the smaller one.

[Lee Nub]

One of my favourite Rockys the Sungrown

[tippexx]

It's ok if you're in the area and want to grab a smoke, but I wouldn't make a special trip. Hollingsworths in Birmingham is slightly better, Some of the staff can seem miserable though. I'd be overjoyed if I was working in or owned a good Tobacconists..

You guys don't know how lucky you are to even have a specialist cigar/tobacco retailer.

The Southend local area is after London and Manchester one of the biggest stretches of concrete to concrete in the country with a huge population .... we ain't got one!

[Aussiewaz]

Lee
It had two red and gold bands with Sun Grown on the smaller one.

Then that cigar is known simply as a Rocky Patel Sungrown. Half reasonable smokes IMHO. The one you had was most likely the Petite Corona and they are available in a few more sizes as well.

[El Catador]

And now I think about it, the cigars I was looking for (D4 or a RASS) I couldn't find.

I know!
Just so, frustrating.

Now. . . if someone like Mitch were to take it over. . . give it a bit of a face-lift, and a web-site (I mean, c'mon guys. . get with the programme, it's 2010 for Gawd's sake!), invested some 'love' into the place and got a selection of cigars to tempt the palate?
It would be a money spinner, I'm sure of it.

Great location, right demographic, just uncared for. . . and that's the harshest criticism of all.

Can't wait to drop into Chester for some real passion!