2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #19: Rocky Patel Disciple Toro

“Once again, Rocky Patel delivers with a San Andres-wrapped cigar. While the Rocky Patel Disciple flew under the radar at the 2021 PCA Trade Show, it should definitely not be ignored.”

Wrapper: San Andres Mexican
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. (TAVICUSA)
Toro: 6 x 52
Price: $12.10

Sponsor: No
Samples Provided for Initial Review: No
Review: Rocky Patel Disciple Toro
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 7 (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022)

Coming in at #19 is Rocky Patel Disciple Toro. Rocky Patel Premium Cigars has been on a roll in regard to its use of the Mexican San Andres wrapper. In 2021, we named the Rocky Patel Winter Collection as the Cigar Coop #1 Cigar of the Year which made use of that wrapper. Another high-profile release using that wrapper was the Rocky Patel Sixty. The Sixty made its debut at the 2021 PCA Trade Show; but at that trade show, there was a second Mexican San Andres release launched. That flew under the radar because of Sixty and that cigar is the Rocky Patel Disciple.

In addition to the Mexican San Andres wrapper, the Rocky Patel Disciple uses Nicaraguan tobaccos for the binder and filler. The Nicaraguan tobaccos are from Rocky Patel’s farms in Condega and Estelí. Production also comes from Rocky Patel’s TAVICUSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The Toro size is a classic 6 x 52.

The Rocky Patel Disciple Toro is not a cigar that is going to overwhelm you with boldness. It started out mild to medium in strength and body before going to medium in the second half. That does not mean it’s short on flavor. This cigar is going to deliver notes of cocoa, cedar, earth, fruit, and pepper – and they balance each other very nicely.

For Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, this marks the seventh year it has landed a cigar on the Cigar Coop Countdown, and its the third consecutive year it has landed on the Countdown (incidentally with one San Andres Mexican wrapper each of those three years). If you are keeping score at home, Nicaragua has now landed eight of the 12 cigars unveiled thus far on the 2022 Countdown.