Rocky Patel event/Weekend review-January 8-10, 2010

It's cold. It's TOO DANG COLD! This is South Carolina for goodness sake! It gets cold for a day or two then it jumps back to the 60's. Not this time! It's been cold for almost 2 weeks! This must be how the extreme northerners feel in the middle of a hot summer where it gets to 100 for about a week and then the temps drop back. We're the opposite here but I'm more than ready for the temps to jump back up! According to the local weather-guys it's suppose to be in the 60's by week end but then it rains! Oh well, can't have everything I guess.
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We started off the weekend by attending the Rocky Patel event at the Maduro Room in Lexington, SC. Mark Rudacille was on hand as the RP rep. The shop stayed busy all night with many people coming and going and several, like ourselves, hanging around most of the evening. As always, I captured the evening in pictures, and here they are now...
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Rocky Patel banner at front of shop:

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Tyrod, aka Frank Baker Dempsey with Steve Miller

(no, not THAT Steve Miller)

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Tyrod's new facebook photo?

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Twig-ster Magnifico

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Mitch selecting...

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Mitch buying!

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Mr. Bob and Twig:

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Grady oversees his empire:

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Mark helps some customers:

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(L-R) me; Mark Rudacille, Rocky Patel rep; Grady Marsh, shop owner:

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Since this is a Rocky Patel event it's only appropriate to review a Rocky Patel cigar. I'll start off with a new selection; the Patel Brothers Corona (5 1/2x44)

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A dark cigar that uses the former Winter blend with a little more ligero added. The cigar started off with a very peppery spice and plenty of sweet notes. An obvious maduro cigar, it has a long finish with sweet vanilla notes and hints of roasted almonds. The draw was a bit firm. The pepper lingers. Full bodied. After 1/3 point I got through the knot and the draw improved. The cigar did not produce a lot of smoke. The sweetness has molasses notes. The cigar has a fantastic finish! Long!

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This cigar would go well with a cup of black coffee. If you're in the mood for a good maduro cigar give this one a try.

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Score: 91

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Sunday, January 10th, 2009

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Graycliff Profesionale Series PGX (6x50)

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Graycliff cigars are made at the Graycliff Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas. I've visited the factory twice and it's always on my must-do list when I'm in Nassau. If you do a search of Western Carribean cruise; part 7 on the blog you'll see pics of us when we were at the factory.
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The factory is small and there are usually 12 or so rollers making cigars at one time. The hotel has no problem with visitors stopping by the cigar factory so if you're in Nassau stop by!
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The cigar began with an almond spice and a moderate amount of pepper. The finish was long with almond notes. You can find this cigar at most cigar shops. It runs around $20! No, they are not cheap! The cigar is fairly mild and by the end it moved towards medium bodied. The pepper was most noted when exhaled through the nose.
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To my delight, the spice and pepper improved after the first 1/3. The cigar had a very good draw and burned evenly. This cigar is all about the heavy almond spice. It improved after that first 1/3 and became an enjoyable cigar. It was a little mild for my tastes but others may love the mild, almond notes.
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Score: 86