[macpappy]

Rockey Patel Autumn Collection 2009 Robusto (5“x50)
Purchased at Habanos in Slidell, La. $6.95
Colorado Maduro Wrapper (Ecuadorian Habano)
Binder & Filler Nicaraguan

I found this to be a Medium bodied cigar with good construction and appearance and an easy but not loose draw. I was intrigued by the pre-light aroma and my first thought was that it reminded me of a Cavendish pipe tobacco. On second thought though I decided that it reminded me of an Illusione 888.
In fact the flavor continued to remind me of the 888 throughout the smoke. It wasn’t what I would called complex but it had a nice clean taste with a mild spiciness and a good finish. I feel it had a nicely balance flavor and sometimes I tasted a light earthiness. sometimes I picked up a hint of untanned leather and in the second half I tasted anise. It started building up in strength in the last third but there was never any bitterness or bite.
This cigar had a nice even burn which was a testament to it good construction. I didn’t have to relit at any point and only did a single touchup in the last third of the smoke. The ash was brown-tinged gray and was fairly straight and held on past the halfway point. It had a very good amount of grayish white smoke.
I didn’t have the opportunity to smoke the Autumn Collection 2008 but I did smoke the most recent Winter, Spring and Summer versions. This one is by far my favorite of the collection.