Winter In July From Rocky Patel
Rocky Patel is in for a busy summer as it plans on releasing a number of new smokes and bringing back a reblended version of one of his most popular limited editions.
The Rocky Patel Winter Collection, which debuted 11 years ago as a limited-edition smoke, has been reblended and moved to a new factory.
The new Rocky Patel Winter Collection is made with a mixture of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler, a Nicaraguan binder and a new wrapper. The 2009 version had a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper, while this year’s is made with Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper. The original cigar was made by A.J. Fernandez, but this new version is being rolled at Patel’s own factory, TaviCusa, in Estelí, Nicaragua. The company calls it medium to full in body.
“This was one of our most sought-after blends,” Nish Patel told Cigar Aficionado. “This is the same exact packaging as the original 2009. We just took the date off.”
The first Winter Collection came and went (there were only 2,000 boxes made), and there was a follow-up done in 2012, which was also a limited edition, but box pressed, rather than round, like the original. You can still buy a version of the 2012 Winter Collection, which can be found via some online retailers. That smoke, however, is made with a blend that’s different from this new version.
The new Winter Collection comes in four sizes, ranging in price from $8.50 to $12.50 per cigar: Corona (5 1/2 inches long by 42 ring gauge, $8.50); Robusto (5 1/2 by 50, $10.50); Toro (6 1/2 by 52, $11.50); and Sixty (6 by 60, $12.50).
Patel is also bringing Rocky Patel Grand Reserve to the United States. The smoke was created for the international market and made its debut in Europe at a private event in Austria in April 2018. It was brought out in greater fashion at the Intertabak Trade Show in Dortmund, Germany, that October.
“It was never meant for the U.S.,” said Patel. The company is offering the cigar to retailers who come to the Traveling Road Show, a mini show hosted by Rocky Patel, Alec Bradley, Oliva Cigar Co. and Crowned Heads LLC that’s meant to replace the cancelled PCA trade show.
“We’re opening it up for all the people coming to the Traveling Road Show,” said Patel. The cigar is shipping now.
Grand Reserve, billed as medium in body, is rolled in Nicaragua and comes in three sizes, with prices ranging from $12 to $13. The Robusto measures 5 1/2 inches by 50 ring gauge; Toro is 6 by 52; and Sixty is 6 by 60.
Patel is also coming out with Rocky Patel Quarter Century, a three-size line celebrating his 25 years in the cigar business, and Hamlet 2020, a medium-bodied line. Both brands will come in three sizes. Hamlet will make its debut this month, while Quarter Century should be out in August.
