Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

By far my favorite Rockys. I started smoking with Rocky Patel so no matter how many blends he releases, I'm still going to give him the benefit of the doubt and like his brand. I try at least one of almost everything he puts out.

Like I said, I love the 90 and 92. Thought the 99 was just alright, Winter was way too strong for me (and I hated it). The Edge I can take or leave. So to me he's just like any other brand--he has a few sticks I like, and some I just don't vibe with.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

well, there was that one time when he stiffed me on the dinner bill, but i don't hold it against him. he's neither friend nor foe...

that being said, i don't believe there's an RP in my top 79 list of cigars.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

He has some awesome stuff, for the price. I have tried 3/4 of the line and there are only a few I would choose not to buy again, and have about 50 in the humidor right now.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Usually not a fan, not really sure why, I guess they never did it for me. However, I recently got turned on to the sungrown and Winter blends and I am a fan of those two.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

I have smoked an Olde World Reserve Corojo, and a Fusion Torpedo so far and liked both of them very much. I have a few I-Press' waiting their turn patiently in the humidor. So far Rocky is batting 1000 from what I've tried.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

The Esteban Carerra is an RP blend produced by Oliva, and it absolutely rocks.
I LOVE Indian Tabac Super Fuertes, and have enjoyed a bunch of other Indian Tabac blends.
I have yet to find any with Rocky's name on them that I have enjoyed. I had a Fusion MM a few days ago and quite frankly, I'd be ashamed for my name to be on it.
The flavor was lousy, the construction sucked, the draw was crap, the burn very inconsistant, and these are cigars that I have let set for a year.
Chuck made some points earlier about "all the brands".
My answer to that is "do you want to make good cigars, or do you want to make money?"
Look at Oliva and Fuente, for instance.
They don't have to introduce a new cigar every week because they are committed, proud, and absolutely insist on producing a product of the highest queality that they can put their name on with pride.
Rocky drags maduro wrapper through dye and syrup so he can make a few bucks.
Big difference. Real big.
So far as Gurkha goes, I have no idea what the hell they're thinking.
CAO falls somewhere in between. If there's a company that fits the thinking Chuck was talking about, I think it would be them. Their intent is to provide quality and variance, and they have limits.
I think Rocky's heart is in the right place, but I think he's willing to compromise at any level just to move cigars. I think it's a shame because he has real talent, and it doesn't take many compromises to ruin a guy's good name.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

There are still a few of his cigars that I like... but I posted a long time ago somewhere... that if a manufacturer dyes their cigars so much that they leave stains on my fingers I am not buying them anymore. Peace... Out!!!

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

I haven't enjoyed the one's I've had so far and I'm not in a rush to try any more. :2

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

I was wrong. I checked and it was not a Fusion Torpedo, it was an Edge Corojo Torpedo.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Rocky is a friend. Heck, he blends and makes cigars, doesn't he? He goes out and meets the public, his BotL's. He makes cigars at all price points, so whether you're a refined connoisseur or a noob, there's probably something with his name on it in your humi. Honestly, I don't know how anyone could consider him a foe...unless you would like to see cigar smoking banned from the culture.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

I love the decades and am a big fan of the 1990 as well.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Good stuff, Gerry. Good points.
I can't see him as anything but a friend. I just keyed on the "friends don't sell friends generic third world suck cigars at inflated prices" point and got stuck there. That kinda stuff really tweaks me off. :)
I sure think he has good intentions, and I'm glad he's a BOTL. :tu

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Rocky makes well constructed cigars in a wide variety of flavor profiles. I like some, don't like others , but at least I know that I'll always get a well made cigar if Rocky's name is on it.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

As most of the Michigan people know, I don't care for his cigars at all. Only decent one I had was the edge sumatra, but even that I'm not running out to buy. On the other hand he is a great guy. When it comes down to it you smoke what you like.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

I have a decade and an OWR Maddie in my cooler

if I ever get around to cigars again, they're first on the list out of curiousity

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Who's Rocky Patel?

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

One thing we have to give credit to Rocky for is the fact that he is not a Fuente, Oliva, Padron or of the latin decent. For just over twelve years this guy has attacked the cigar industry with as much passion for blending cigars and marketing a brand that could appeal to everyone. From there it is simply preferrence. Do YOU like RP's. Some facts that may be of interest to most is that Rocky has been a pioneer for our rights as Cigar Smokers. He is in my opinion, the hardest working individual in the industry. Rocky has worked directly with the Government to save our precious hobby. SCHIP would have hit for over a $1.50 a cigar if he didn't raise his voice against the BIG TOBACCO business. Rocky Patel is without question a "FRIEND". To YOU, ME and anyone looking forward to thier next CAO, Fuente, Oliva, Don Pepin or whatever suites YOUR pallet.

Just my two cents!

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Here! Here!


And.......ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, btw....I love RP's :tu :banger

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Scott and myself are in the same boat, excuse the pun. I have more RPs in my stash than any other. OWR, Decades, and Vintage are gooood sticks. I like those chewy maduros.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Never met the guy, like his Decade and OWR, his Vintage (both 90 and 92) were favorites... I still like the vintage and smoke them occasionally. I have tried every thing with RP names on it, at his worst his sticks are still very smokable. However, I dislike the IT brand a lot, never had one I like (although never had the ITC 10th). All in all, I think RP is a solid producer.

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Friend.... There are several cigars Rocky makes that I enjoy. To include the Vintage Series, Decade, Fusion and Edge. I have also met Rocky and thought he was a very down to earth and friendly person. But, to each his own. :tu

Re: Rocky Patel,friend or foe?
 

Foe... his cigars make me spend money!