A few years ago, Rocky Patel Premium Cigars was putting out a slew of new releases at the IPCPR Trade Show. In recent years, that number has decreased. The 2019 Trade Show saw two new lines and new line extensions. 2020 saw two new lines, a re-blending of a former line, and a European release heading to the U.S. market.
The big story at Rocky Patel Premium Cigars is the 25th anniversary of founder Rocky Patel in the cigar industry – and the company has a release called Quarter Century to commemorate it. One might have expected Rocky Patel to use the 2020 PCA Trade Show as a party to mark the occasion, but the COVID-19 pandemic threw a monkey wrench into those plans. Instead the company used the Traveling Road Show to visit retailers around the country at a mini trade-show to promote the Quarter Century and several other products.
The Rocky Patel Quarter Century comes from the company’s Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. (TAVICUSA) factory. The Rocky Patel Quarter Century features a San Andrés Mexican wrapper over a blend that includes Nicaraguan tobacco. According to the company, the cigars are aged two years after rolling, with tobaccos aged ten years before that. The Quarter Century is being offered in three sizes: Robusto (5 1/2 x 50), Toro (6 1/2 x 52), and Sixty (6 x 60). Each is presented in 20-count boxes. This cigar is en route to retailers.
The other new offering comes under Hamlet Paredes’ brand with the Hamlet 2020. This also comes from TAVICUSA. The blend features an Ecuadorian Havana wrapper over a Honduran binder and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. The cigars will be offered in three sizes: Robusto (5 1/2 x 50), Toro (6 1/2 x 52), and Sixty (6 x 60). Thee Hamlet 2020 is also en route to retailers.
Making a return is the Rocky Patel Winter Collection. It’s the third incarnation of the Winter Collection following releases in 2009 and 2012. Each blend of the Winter Collection is different. The blend of the Winter Collection 2020 features a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and a combination of Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. The cigars will be offered in three sizes: Corona (5 1/2 x 52),Robusto (5 1/2 x 50), Toro (6 1/2 x 52), and Sixty (6 x 60). This cigar also comes out of the TAVICUSA factory.
Finally, the Rocky Patel Grand Reserve, a cigar originally released for Europe. It was named Cigar Journal’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2018. The cigar features an undisclosed blend and is available in three sizes: Robusto (5 1/2 x 50), Toro (6 x 52), and Sixty (6 x 60). The Grand Reserve also is produced at the TAVICUSA and has arrived at retailers.
Product Reports
- Rocky Patel Quarter Century to be Released
- Hamlet 2020 by Rocky Patel Heading to Stores This Month
- Rocky Patel Winter Collection Returns for 2020
- Rocky Patel Grand Reserve Heading to U.S.
Photo Credits: Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, except where noted.
