If you’re a student of numerology you might be looking for hidden meaning in the branding of this celebratory cigar. After all, there are a lot of sixes involved here. Well, look no further, my scholarly friends; there are no esoteric codes or symbolism here. In fact, the meaning is quite clear: Rocky Patel decided to celebrate his sixtieth birthday with a special cigar, with tobacco that had been aging for two years in anticipation of this release. That explains the series name of SIXTY by Rocky Patel. This particular vitola measures six inches long with a sixty-ring gauge. The series also includes a 5 ½ x 50 robusto and a 6 ½ x 52.
The cigar’s appearance is quite striking. A sepia-toned vellum sleeve depicting tobacco plants cloaks nearly half of the cigar. At the bottom of the sleeve is a deep blue ring bordered in gold, and embossed with a gold number 60. Above the vellum are two ornate cigar bands rendered in vivid red. The scalloped primary band shows the RP logo on a royal blue background wreathed in gold. Beneath it sits a red sub-band with the word SIXTY embossed in gold. It’s all very regal, and is a refreshing departure from the minimalist banding so prevalently used today.
Despite the amount of real estate covered by the bands and sleeve, an inch and a half of rich brown wrapper leaf lures the smoker with the promise of what lies within. It’s just enough to make one eager to remove the covering and get started. This gordo is big and blocky, its soft box press giving the impression of a ring gauge even larger than 60. I’ve seen it described as resembling a bar of chocolate, but my impression is of an ice cream sandwich. Can’t wait to take a bite!
Visually, the initial impressions are of a somewhat matt-textured San Andrés capa, with a few prominent veins and barely visible seams. The head is crowned with a multi-seam cap. The cigar is firm to the touch, with just the right amount of give. The wrapper imparts a pungent aroma, with an earthy undertone coming from the well-trimmed foot. A punch cut allows a full draw with a slight resistance, releasing a taste of sweet, dried fruit, reminiscent of cherries. No spice is detected at this point.
The Sixty’s plus size allows me to employ my triple flame torch to get the footed toasted, and we’re off to the races. This chocolate-covered sandwich seems to be filled with cherry vanilla ice cream. It’s simultaneously sweet and tart, and, hold on a second, where did that blast of red pepper come from? The pepper tingles the palate and the nose, while the sweet flavor coats the tongue. I summon the courage to retrohale, and sure enough, a dash of pepper rewards my efforts. Not even an inch into the cigar, the Sixty is showing off its multifaceted personality.
A gray flannel ash starts to build up, bordered by a wavy char line, which is sharp, but undulates to half an inch higher on the reverse side. It’s not interfering with the smoke at this point, but it’s not holding a straight line. The ash itself has a nice texture, layered and dense, not at all flaky. As the ash approaches the inch-and-a-half mark, I tap it off in the ashtray, and it falls off cleanly, with no cone of filler protruding from the foot. Moving into the middle third of the cigar I find the cherry flavor is receding, replaced with a chocolate malt taste, so I’m still in the ice cream shop.
The char line has straightened out nicely, a new steel gray ash is building up, and the Sixty is cruising along effortlessly. I rest the cigar to take a brief phone call, and when I return to it a few moments later, it picks up where it left off, still smoking with no need for a relight. The cigar has not softened, and retains its squared shape. This is good construction, a hallmark of the Rocky Patel brand.
As I move through the middle of the smoke there is a transition from sweetness to a more noticeable woody, cedar characteristic, along with a taste of black coffee. A note of pepper spice is still present. I also detect an increase in strength, now more full than medium. The char line approaches the sub band, which I’m able to remove with ease. This log has not gone out once, has never heated up, and continues to hold my attention throughout its transitions.
In the last third of the cigar, the prominent sensation is of a peppery spice with a more subdued cedar and coffee background. The ash is nearing the primary band and it, like its southern neighbor, pops right off without a rip or a shred. The char line and burn have both improved; the ash is holding steady, and the only caveat is that the head has softened somewhat, causing the cigar to feel warm with just a touch of harshness. Despite that, I’m able to pick up the butt and, to my surprise, keep smoking for a few more minutes, still enjoying the experience to the very end. I would add that I felt the large gauge favored the complexity of the blend over the more nuanced qualities of the San Andrés wrapper.
In sum, the SIXTY by Rocky Patel proved to be an immensely enjoyable cigar. It felt good in the hand, was pleasing to the eye, and delivered generous amounts of complex flavors. Construction was seldom an issue, other than a wavy burn, and the 60-ring behemoth never went out or required a touch-up. An unexpected bonus was a delightful aroma that lingered in the air well after the final puff. The cigar created for Rocky’s birthday turned out to be a real gift!
SIXTY by Rocky Patel – “Sixty”
- Size: 6 x 60
- Wrapper: San Andrés
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Release Date: November 9, 2021
- MSRP: $17
- Smoking Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
– Samples provided by Rocky Patel Premium Cigars. Review by Larry Wagner.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 1, 2023. To receive a copy of this magazine you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.