Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran, Undisclosed
Vitola: Robusto
Strength: Mild-Medium
Purchase Link: Rocky Patel White Label
ROCKY PATEL WHITE LABEL REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Having a Connecticut in the evening is highly underrated. Oak, vegetal notes, chocolate, and honey come in and out of focus as this cigar tries to find its balance. Hitting its stride, this smoke goes steady with floral notes and saltine crackers.
My palate dries out a bit as vegetal notes return and join with the crackers for some light hors d'oeuvres. If you’re down for a Connecticut and have something sweet to sip on, I say give it a shot.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Rutabagas.
Pairing Suggestion: Rum.
Perceived Strength: Mild.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
ROCKY PATEL WHITE LABEL REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brings an odd assortment of hay, lemon, gritty earth, coffee, sour, and bitter. The citrus, sour, and bitter notes increase throughout. This wasn't for my palate. Maybe it's for you, but I'll pass.
The draw was loose, but not problematically so. It burned very nicely - the burn line was very close to perfect the whole time.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Rolling lemons through the dirt.
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee.
Perceived Strength: Mild.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
ROCKY PATEL WHITE LABEL REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Nothing like a warm red pepper pull and a baking spice retro from a Connie; my inner lip and tongue brim tingle with delight. I'm old enough to remember school lunches packed w/teddy grahams; individual bread-like bears coated in honey. The note nostalgia is nice.
Second third heats up with much more smoke output, walnuts, and more tea leaves than hay; the floral aroma is a nice touch. Great pull, easy draw and the retro is still delivering nice flavor. Lots of sensation happening here.
Last third feels even more smooth but no additional or significant notes. Smoke production and burn is consistent through and through.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Honey Teddy Grahams.
Pairing Suggestion: Cappuccino.
Perceived Strength: Medium.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box.
ROCKY PATEL WHITE LABEL REVIEW – TED
Summary: This firmly packed robusto looks nice. Smooth, light brown wrapper. Appears well constructed outwardly.
Starting off with graham cracker, oak, leather, light citrus, hay, and bread right from the oven. Small amount of pepper spice in retro hale. Pretty enjoyable mixture and lots of smoke.
Some slight bitterness to the mix entering the middle. Wood, graham, bread, and a long finish of leather. Retro hale is void of any spiciness up front but has a little bit late in the finish. Also, citrus changing to green apple… just a small hint of sweetness.
End portion picking up in strength. Still a nice mix of wood, bread, leather, and now more prominent green apple flavor. More pepper near the end as well. The end portion had a creamier feel to the whole profile.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Finding a good morning cigar.
Pairing Suggestion: Irish coffee.
Perceived Strength: Low end of medium.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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