INTRODUCTION
During the 2024 Traveling Road Show, the Emerald was announced by Rocky Patel Premium Cigars marking yet another dark maduro box press to the portfolio. In launching the cigar, Rocky Patel stated “It’s the first box-pressed cigar we’ve released that’s on the light side of medium. Most of our box-pressed cigars are medium to fill. I think it’s approachable to the masses”.
In my opinion I find that a fair amount of Rocky Patel box pressed maduros tend to be a light medium. Notably, the 1990 comes to mind. However, this is very subjective, and Rocky did not state whether he meant body, strength, or flavor. I will say that RP knows how to make an excellent box press with consistent combustibility.
UNDER THE LID
As I remove the Rocky Patel Emerald from the cello I am impressed with the color scheme of the bands. The primary and secondary bands resemble the classic old world reserve Rocky Patel bands, with a very modern twist. The foot band covers almost the entirety of the cigar but has an appealing emerald design. As to the box, they are certainly a piece to be spoken of. When the Rocky Patel 60 came out back in 2021, the gloss box was in my opinion, the best packaging of the year. The Rocky Patel Emerald took that concept and reimagined it with a beautiful emerald hue.
Removing the foot band a dark colorado claro shade wrapper is revealed. Every Rocky Patel box pressed maduro always reminds me of a chocolate bar. The wrapper is smooth with tight and visible seams with a matte reflection. There is a decent amount of give upon pressure along the whole cigar, it is consistent throughout.
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder: Mexican & Nicaraguan
- Filler: Honduran & Nicaraguan
- Vitola: 6 ½ x 52 robusto (box press)
- Factory: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A.
- Released: December 2024
- Production: Regular Production
- MSRP: $12.75 (Box of 20, $255)
The Emerald wrapper aroma is a soft floral sweetness, light leather, cocoa grounds, and peanut butter. After straight cutting my first cold draw is open and even with little resistance. The cold draw is similar to the aroma of the wrapper with the addition of a very faint fish oil. There is a soft white spice around my lips.
PERFORMANCE NOTES
FIRST THIRD
After using my S.T. Dupont Monogram Collection Biggy to begin toast and light my Emerald I am met with an initial burst of umami, similar to the balance of a mushroom, and a deep rich oak that is layered by black pepper that follows and spreads along the entire palate. There is an expresso that has a very subtle sweetness. If you are a black cold brew drinker then you know exactly what I mean. I agree with Rocky that this is certainly above a medium cigar, it is very rich and dark on the palate. The smoke is as “meaty” as a Connecticut broadleaf cigar.
The retrohale brings the spice and sweetness forward converting it to a red pepper. The smoke that settles on the palate post retro is starchy, it’s very prominent. A bell pepper sweetness is identified after a few draws as the starchyness is cut by a cocoa and espresso bitterness. After being about an inch into the cigar the pepper intensifies through the nose and pushes the bell pepper sweetness towards the back of my throat with a black pepper remaining forward. The Emerald beginning can be categorized as a medium full bodied blend that showcases the dark, bold, and bitter notes on the flavor wheel. I would guess that some traditional Rocky Patel smokers may be skeptical of these types of notes. I will note, I do not believe the Emerald is a light side of medium. Truthfully, I find the Emerald is fuller than the Gold Label, Sixty, and 1990. Arguably, one of the stronger box pressed maduros I smoked from Rocky Patel.
Smoke production is massive, the burn is razor sharp, draw is effortless and the ash is bleach white and has zero flakes. This has come to be expected from Rocky Patel cigars.
SECOND THIRD
The second third starts with a bitter earth taking center palate. The smoke has a slight acidity towards the back of my throat. Oak and leather remain consistent with the first third. The retrohale has a sweet spice with a cocoa espresso developing on my palate. The irritation towards the back of my throat remains. The burn has started to slow down with the wrapper requiring two touch ups before the second third concludes.
FINAL THIRD
The final third has increased in bitterness on the palate. It is dancing on the edge of being aggressive and taking away from the taste and aroma of the blend. The oak and leather remain but are overpowering, preventing that subtle sweetness from the beginning of the cigar from being known. The retrohale is consistent with the second third, a black pepper and bitter leather and espresso with an evasive bitterness lingering towards the back of my throat. Due to the burn issues from the wrapper the smoke production has decreased. The body and strength of the cigar remain medium plus.
Core Flavors:
Strength: Medium plus
Body: Medium plus
Complexity: Mild to medium
Smokin Experience
– The Emerald unfortunately was a subpar edition to Rocky Patel’s overwhelmingly positive portfolio.
– Reviews like this *sometimes* warrant further explanation beyond just the tasting notes and impressions of the reviewer. I am bolding the following in hopes that it catches consumers’ eye who just want to skim to the final score.
There are times when a quality cigar is impacted by external factors beyond the manufacturers control. Rocky Patel consistently releases cigars that raise the bar of expectations. The last four years Rocky has crafted some exceptional cigars. However, there are times when the review could be impacted by conditions such as influxes in humidity. It has been raining the last few days and the air is humid. When a cigar starts as well as this one did, but develops a bitter acidic flavor, it is often attributed to the conditions in which the cigar is smoked. For the sake of journalism integrity, the review will still be posted, but like with any cigar at any time this could have made an effect on the performance and the final score.
Purchase recommendation: Not Recommended
Smokin Facts
– The bands are reminiscent of the Old World edition. The flavor was very similar to the maduro upon the initial third.
– I have spoken with others about the Emerald, and consumers have had positive feedback as to its performance.
– This is more of an irrelevant detail I geek out on. The foot band around the Emerald sleeve has a different texture than the two primary bands. It is a textile matte type finish. This may not be intended, but seeing how the sleeve is usually hard to remove on other cigars, the texture makes for a stronger grip and allows the sleeve to be removed more effectively.
Smokin Wrap
Cigars Smoked for the Review: Three
Average Smoking Time: One Hour and Forty Seven minutes.
