Rocky Patel ALR Second Edition CDM Exclusive

Today, we review the Rocky Patel ALR Second Edition Robusto Grande, an exclusive size done for Casa de Montecristo (CDM) stores. ALR stands for Aged, Limited & Rare. As the name indicates, the second edition refers to the second blend in this series. The concept behind the ALR line involves developing a cigar, rolling the cigar, and then taking the completed cigar and aging it for an extended period. The idea behind this is to see how aged cigars perform. With the ALR Second Edition, after the cigars are rolled, they are aged for at least two years. Rocky Patel releases these cigars in limited batches. Previously, the ALR Second Edition was released as a PCA Exclusive, and JR Cigar was also given an exclusive batch. The Robusto Grande for CDM is the first time an exclusive size has been done for the ALR Second Edition.

SPECIFICATIONS

The blend for the ALR Second Edition features a San Andres wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. While the ongoing three ALR Second Edition sizes come in 20-count boxes, the CDM Exclusive Robusto Grande comes in ten-count boxes.

Wrapper: San Andres Mexican
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. (TAVICUSA)
Robusto Grande: 5 1/4 x 54

PERFORMANCE

The ALR Second Edition Robusto Grande opened up with earth, cocoa, fruit, cedar, white pepper, and mineral notes. Early on, the earth and cocoa notes moved to the forefront. The fruit, cedar, pepper, and mineral notes settled in the background. As the cigar moved through the second third, the cedar and pepper notes increased in intensity while the cocoa notes decreased. The earth notes held primary into the final third, but there was more in the way of pepper and cedar. The ALR Second Edition Robusto Grande finished with a soft, slightly lukewarm nub.

The ALR Second Edition Robusto Grande flavors were medium-strong, countered by medium strength. Regarding burn, the cigar needed some touch-ups from time to time to maintain a straight burn line. The draw was ideal, with a touch of resistance.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

The concept of an exclusive cigar of a successful line is nothing new in the cigar industry. However, I’ve often found that the size is a disappointment when this is done. This was not the case with the Rocky Patel ALR Second Edition. The Robusto Grande size for the ALR Second Edition CDM was the best offering in the line to date. If you are a fan of the ALR Second Edition, you will be pretty satisfied with Robusto Grande.

At $16.00, the ALR Second Edition Robusto Grande is not inexpensive, so you may want to try a sample and see what you think.

Summary

Key Flavors: Earth, Cocoa, Fruit, Cedar, Mineral, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good