REVIEW: ROCKY PATEL RENIASSANCE

Cigar Name: Rocky Patel Renaissance
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican
Size: Toro 6-1/2” x 52
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $3-11 each (bundle)

Smoking Time: About 1-1/2 hour

When this cigar was introduced a couple of years ago, it was said to be replacing the Rocky Patel Edge Sumatra.  I believe it really only used the same wrapper with different filler because this does not have the same strength as the Edge Sumatra.  It is however a good cigar… 

Appearance: This is a very rich looking, oily cigar.  It is a dark chocolate brown with several veins throughout but no blemishes.  8/10

Construction: No soft spots and seems pretty solid.  8/10

Burn:   This burns extremely well.  I did have to set a couple of them down for extended periods but they relit right up with no problem.    10/10

Aroma:  Very grassy and nutty.  It was not exceptionally exciting but pleasant.    8/10

Draw: Excellent.     10/10

Flavor: Flavor was nice.  Lots of coffee, almonds and just a hint of spice.  8/10

Availability: All over.  I got mine on cigarbid for about $3.00 per stick but you can walk into any brick and mortar and buy them off the shelf.    10/10

Personal Overall Experience:  I like these a lot.  Especially in the afternoon.  This is defiantly more on the medium side of things but has a good and unique flavor.  I don’t know if I would put this on any top ten lists, but it is probably in a top 25 of mine and certainly the top 5 for Rocky Patels.        25/30.

Total: 87/100

Matt

Review: CAO Italia Piccolo

Cigar Name: CAO Italia Piccolo
Wrapper: ?
Binder: ?
Filler: Mixture, predominately Italian
Size: Petite 4” x 38

Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $1.00-3.00/each

Smoking Time: 30 minutes

I have been a fan of CAO cigars for a while because when I started smoking, they were probably the most innovative marketers out there and they put out a good product.  Now days, if I reach for a cigar, more than likely I will not reach for a CAO.  Not that they not good, I just think my taste has developed and changed.  The CAO cigars that I do really seek out are their Petite lines, in particular these Italias. These are inexpensive and great for a quick smoke.  I couldn’t find too much on the wrapper or binder but rather the filler is marketed as one of (if not the only) cigar that has Italian tobacco in it.      

Appearance: I imagine it is hard to make a small cigar like this and I think that comes through in the appearance.  It is rather rough looking but the packaging is cool.  You can buy these in tins of 5 or bricks of 50 and the little tins are just plain cool and easy to carry in your pocket if you so desire.        8/10

Construction:  Again, it seems a little rough.  7/10

Burn:   Considering the small ring gauge, this burns okay but there are usually several touch ups to do.              6/10

Aroma:  Tobacco and leather but that is about it.        7/10

Draw: Pretty decent actually.       9/10

Flavor:  This is pretty one dimensional.  There is a little bit of pepper, but there is no real “experience” to smoking this but then again, what do you expect for a 30 minute cigar for around a buck.    6/10

Availability: These are easy to find.           10/10

Personal Overall Experience:  For what it is, this is pretty good.  You won’t knock many people’s socks off with this, but if you only have a few minutes to relax you really can’t go wrong with the CAO Italia Piccolo.  23/30

Total: 76/100

Matt