The KC/DW Review Series

[ashauler]

Nice review DW....glad you enjoyed this one. IMHO, ths is one of the very best "value" cigars out there at around $2/stick. Its a regular smoke in my line-up.

[King Catfish]

Thanks to the generosity and not-so-gentle prodding of Ashauler, this evening I am reviewing a Rocky Patel Cuban Blend Torpedo in the natural wrapper. It will be the first of this variety I have had the pleasure of smoking; I am halfway through a box of the maduro variety, and I like them very much. I had been looking forward to this all day, so I chose a nice setting: I made a fire in the fire pit outside and set up a lawn chair nearby with a little table to hold my ashtray and the last half of last night’s bottle of cabernet. I began just as the sun was setting. I could hear the faint strains of some mellow jazz coming from inside the house.

The cigar is a solid, largish (6 x 52) torp with a smooth-but-toothy-looking wrapper, medium brown and evenly hued. The wrapper is Corojo with Hornduran ligero filler and binder. The cigar was garbed in one of my favorite bands, red and black and understated with gold lettering.

The smell was lovely, just an airy tobacco smell with perhaps a very light tease of cedar. Construction was without visible flaw. Having finally acquired a nice sharp cutter for myself I made the cut without trouble and drew from the unlit stick; the draw was open and the taste, though very faint, was a harbinger of a very enjoyable hour to come.

“OK,” I said to myself at this point. “Stop messing around and light it already!” Not one who is inclined to disobey my inner voice, I toasted the foot with glee. Toasting woke up the tobacco smell and made it pleasantly musky. Then I put the cigar in my gob and, because I was outside in a light breeze and bereft of a proper torch, I proceeded to do what DeeDubya calls “sooting it all up.” (I mention this merely to rile up my brother of the leaf. I can just see him shaking his head now.)

Once lit the cigar was lightly musky and a bit earthy, maybe some wood in the distant background. The smoke was exceedingly smooth, like a gentle caress in the mouth, and abundant. Although I would not say that this cigar is particularly suited to accompany a red wine, in the beginning I felt its silky earthiness was an unobtrusive counterpoint to the wine’s twang.

The first third showed a reasonably even burn, the point of combustion a razor line across the cigar, like a line of mascara on a woman ready to go out for the night, a woman who knows how to apply just enough make-up to enhance her beauty, and not too much. The ash was light gray with white highlights, like a loving wife of many years that... OK, enough romantic metaphor. I’m making myself sick here.

The smoke was taking on a bit of a woody tang, and retaining the mild earthiness. Toward the end of the first third a bit of leather was developing on the lips, just a little bit. The ash was rock-solid and fell off at nearly two inches. In the second third a mild spiciness drifted in as well. The final third allowed for a bit more spice and an increase in intensity of all the flavors, with more woodiness.

These cigars are billed as full-strength, but I would place it solidly in the medium category. It is very different from its maduro-wrapped brothers, to which it is somewhat inferior in my opinion. I would recommend this cigar as a solid performer in the medium category with some measure of complexity and nicely balanced flavors. Construction is top-notch. I think these would go better with a nice Belgian or weissbier. EDITED TO ADD: This cigar's taste is atypical for a Corojo-wrapped stick.

Final score: 82; woodiness is my least favorite flavor profile in a cigar; yet this cigar had enough else going for it that it was still a lovely smoke. Many thanks to the generous ashauler for this fine evening.

[DeeDubya]

This evening I enjoyed a Rocky Patel Diesel Fuerte contrituted by Ashauler. I'm always excited to try another of Rocky's never-ending lineup of quality cigars. He has demonstrated his abilities over time to choose only the best manufacturers for his consignments. I have a tendancy to compare everything to his Vintage 1990 and 1992 which are so popular today that I'm sure you have tried one or both.

The Diesel Fuerte manufactured by Plasencia consists of a blend of Honduran and Dominican fillers and a Costa Rican Maduro wrapper. Private labeled by Rocky and CI it is another good choice when choosing a maduro. I really enjoyed the sweet finish and hearty flavors without harshness. Here again another good everyday smoke for the maduro lovers. Notably I found it to have ample flavor and complexity without the bitter aftertaste that sometimes accompanies a maduro.
I'm a little uncertain about the bright orange band with droplets of diesel oil on it. But I'm sure there is a good explanation.

Kudos to RP, CI and Ashauler.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 8.5.

[ashauler]

Nice reviews as always guys!!

I was gifted an RP Diesel a year or so ago by DG, nice smoke that benefits with some time in the humi. In my experience it can be oversmoked and turn bitter pretty easily, even in the larger RG's......but still a good smoke. Construction is always good and flavor is consistent.

The cuban blend is another one that I first had as a result of a gift from a brother here.....I agree KC, definitely medium at best and certainly not as complex as the maduro, but as you said, remains a solid smoke.

Both gifted to me by botl's I met here....and both purchased many times since. Funny how that works.

You two don't have to review everything I sent ya........

[King Catfish]

Nice reviews as always guys!!

You two don't have to review everything I sent ya........

Thanks for the kind words. I want to review the sticks you sent, though... somehow it seems like part of the gifting process for me, makes it really special.

Being busy is only part of the reason I have been neglecting reviews lately; also, everything in my humi I have smoked many times, and nothing in there inspires a review. So, although I know you bombed me in true spirit with no strings attached, I feel it is impossible for me to neglect reviewing this great stuff.

[King Catfish]

Connecticut wrapper
Binder: Connecticut, Dominican Republic
Filler: Brazil, Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild



Another goody in Ashauler’s care package was the Cusano 18 Paired Maduro in the robusto vitola. This cigar was chocolaty dark and firm with a slightly wrinkly, bumpy look; it was covered with plume and had a very slight sheen of oil. To my eye it appeared that my brother of the leaf had had this one around for a long time. The cigar cut cleanly and easily, and prelight draw was open, easy and airy with very little taste or aroma. I toasted, lit, and commenced to smoke.

The taste was immediately nutty and sharp, like black coffee. What a gorgeous taste, right from the start! Strength was mild, as billed, but the flavor was enormous, as was the smoke volume. The burn was initially less than even, but the burn zone, although not razor-thin, was well-defined. Queen Catfish took a puff and agreed that it had coffee and nuts dominant in the flavor profile.

The first third was a lesson in how smooth a smoke can be, and a lesson in how a lot of flavor can be delivered in a mild cigar. The ash was light gray and solid, but did not hold up very long, falling off at three quarters of an inch in length. Aftertaste was light but lingering. The nutty flavor came to the fore in the second third, with coffee remaining steady, and a bit of saltiness and bitterness in the aftertaste developing. I gave it a purge and let it rest a moment and the bitterness faded a bit.

The final third showed a strengthening of all flavors, and the addition of a bit of grassiness. The cigar was increasing in complexity as it progressed. The burn did become very uneven in the last third, with a bit of the wrapper flaking off.

Score = 82, gaining 1 point for a really excellent start and another for uniqueness; losing a point for a little bitterness in the aftertaste, for a final score of 83. If a mild cigar with a lot of flavor is what you’re after, I would certainly recommend you try this one. Many thanks to Ashauler for a fine smoke.

[ashauler]

Nice Review KC... (its getting to be redundant to type that to you two).

Yep, I've had that one for quite awhile.....these are a regular purchase for me and I always have some in the humi and coolers. Sorry you had the wrapper problem, these normally burn very well and the construction is usually consistent. I should have sent you a fresh one as well.......these things are much more powerful then, moving solidly into the medium category, imho.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[King Catfish]

Nice Review KC... (its getting to be redundant to type that to you two).

Yep, I've had that one for quite awhile.....these are a regular purchase for me and I always have some in the humi and coolers. Sorry you had the wrapper problem, these normally burn very well and the construction is usually consistent. I should have sent you a fresh one as well.......these things are much more powerful then, moving solidly into the medium category, imho.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Oh, no, it was fine. The wrapper problem was very minor and near the end anyway. A very tasty smoke. I enjoyed it, especially at the beginning. What a great start.

I have something that I really need to get off my chest. You both are horrible, horrible people. I have spent countless hours over the past week tirelessly researching different makers and blends. I have been digging through pages of online samplers and deals trying to decided what to spend my money on. Then, I start going through this wealth of information, reading, checking the index, rereading, over and over. If it weren’t for your incredibly thorough and informative reviews, I may have made up my mind on exactly what to order already. I may have just settled on a few safety smokes that I am already familiar with, or maybe even blindly picked out a box of dog rockets. Thanks for all the awesome reviews guys, keep em coming! Maybe I’ll make up my mind one of these days.

Thanks for the kind words.

[DeeDubya]

Ashauler sent me a special cigar. I don't know where these are still available except in some private humidors. It is the first of Oliva's Master Blends. They have since produced the Master Blends 2 (2006, a few are still available) and now the Master Blends 3 which have already been on the market for nearly a year. Note: this cigar might have been classed a "Double Robusto" instead of a Toro.

Ashauler if you accidentally sent me one that you intended to keep, well it's too late. It has gone up in smoke.

This cigar has a nice-looking wrapper, evenly colored in a milk-chocolate hue, and delicately branded with a laser engraved insignia beneath the band. Somewhat veiny, which is not unusual with Sumatra wrapper, but with an oily sheen and a virtually seamless roll. Well-packed and slightly pressed, but more oval than square. I used my v-cutter so as not to remove the cap. The pre-lit draw was somewhat earthy, typical of Nicaraguan tobacco.

It toasted and lit evenly with an effortless draw and collecting a light grey ash. It started very smooth and spicy. I detected a little white pepper bite on the finish along with an earthiness that remained on my palate. You might say the taste of excellence. Balance and consistancy were perfect throughout the first half.

At midpoint the flavors began to stack up but not to a point of becomming to strong or harsh. Just really robust goodness. It continued to smoke smoothly maintaining the full-bodied clouds of thick creamy smoke. Definately an afternoon or evening cigar. Perfect to help relax a full stomach.

I really enjoyed this cigar that Ashuler sent me. I'll bet he's wishing he had smoked it himself. Now I feel indebted to him and a little guilty for smoking this rare beauty. Just kidding, I would smoke it again in a heartbeat.

I have now smoked all 3 of the Master Blends in reverse order beginning with the Master Blends 3 which I reviewed early on in this thread. Just knowing that the original Master Blends is no longer available made it better, or was it the aging in Ashauler's humi or was it that Oliva's first effort hit on perfection. Their claim is that the Master Blends are made from surplus tobaccos that were intended for family consumption. All rolled to perfection by their best rollers.

Since these were made in very limited edition, I suggest the collectors among you reading this, take note. I'm certain it will become a quite valuable cigar down the road. I would like to have another if I can talk (buy, beg, steal) Ashauler out of one more.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.5.

A reminder for readers. KC diligently keeps the posts in this series indexed on the 1st page.

[ashauler]

This is my very favorite cigar!! I'm glad you enjoyed it...... As far as getting another one........from me the chance is zero as that was my last one.

I flipped a coin to see if you or KC got it........you won. Now I'm off to look for more, but I fear I will have no luck.....they are indeed difficult to obtain. I have searched a couple of times and, total, I have only had in my possession 15 of these cigars.

[logan37]

Awesome reviews KC and DW. I'm really learning a lot from you guys. Keep it up