Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the 2017 release of the Rocky Patel Fifty in the Toro size. This is a cigar where the 2011 edition was last assessed back in September 2012.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano-seed Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Tavicusa)
Toro: 6 1/2 x 52

Back in 2011, Rocky Patel Premium Cigars released an ultra-premium limited edition cigar called the Rocky Patel Fifty. As the name indicates, the cigar was meant to commemorate the 50th birthday of company founder Rocky Patel. At the time, the Rocky Patel Fifty was a one-and-done release. This year, prior to the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, word came that the Rocky Patel Fifty was making a comeback in the Toro size. Today we take a look at this re-release.

When initially released, the Rocky Patel Fifty was released in three sizes. However for the 2017 re-release, the Rocky Patel Fifty comes back only in the box-pressed 6 1/2 x 52 Toro size. While the cigar features the same Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan blend, it has gotten a packaging upgrade with the orange color scheme replaced by a new red scheme.

When I smoked the original 2011 version of the Rocky Patel Fifty, it was highlighted by notes of cocoa. Cocoa notes were still very much in play in the 2017 version. I also picked up notes of earth, cherry, pepper, and cedar. Early on the cocoa and earth notes were primary. There was an increase in the cedar, cherry, and pepper notes as the cigar experience progressed. Toward the last third, there was definitely more in the way of pepper and cedar, but it never overpowered the flavor profile.

The flavors of the Rocky Patel Fifty started out medium-bodied and increased in intensity. By the early part of the second half, the intensity increased to medium to full, and by the last third, the flavors were full-bodied. Meanwhile, the strength of the Rocky Patel Fifty also started medium and gradually increased during the smoking experience – moving to medium to full in the second half.

In 2011, the Rocky Patel Fifty landed #12 on the 2011 Cigar of the Year countdown. While I didn’t rank the 2017 as high, it still is a very good and above average cigar. It’s a cigar I would recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast or a newbie looking to “graduate” to something medium/medium plus. As for myself, it is one I would smoke again – and it’s worthy of a box split.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cocoa, Earth, Cherry, Pepper, Cedar.
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium+
Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
Body: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)
Finish: Very Good

Rating

Assessment: 3.5-Box Split
Score: 91

References

Previous Assessment: Rocky Patel Fifty
News: Rocky Patel Fifty Toro Returns For Limited Run
Price: $21.00
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: Rocky Patel

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop