Two 2012 releases are the subject of today’s reviews, beginning with the Rocky Patel HR 500 and wrapping up with the Camacho Liberty 2012.

Rocky Patel HR 500

Sports and cigars are like a match made in heaven for many, so when Rocky Patel decided to put out a line dedicated to one of the sport’s greatest hitters, it seemed like a no-brainer. The Rocky Patel HR 500 was created in honor of Gary Sheffield, who is just one of 25 players in the history of Major League Baseball. Introduced at the 2012 IPCPR show, the HR 500 is just another addition to the impressive Rocky Patel portfolio.

The Rocky Patel HR 500 is a Toro that measures 6 1/2 x 52. It is the only format created for the line. The cigar’s filler is a combination of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The binder is of the Honduran Jamastran variety. An Ecuadorian Habano Seed wrapper tops it all off. The HR 500 is listed as being medium to full-bodied in strength.

The Rocky Patel HR 500 makes a good first impression with its dark brown wrapper. It has somewhat of an oily sheen, some minor veins, and no major defects. The band near the head is a looker with its blue, gold, and white colors. It features the HR 500 name in bold font as well as a depiction of a baseball player swinging and Gary Sheffield’s signature. The smaller band beneath it is also blue, gold, and white in color and features Gary Sheffield’s name. Feeling the cigar lets me know that it is not lacking in tobacco by any means. The pre-light aroma is sweet. The cold taste, on the other hand, is nutty.

The solid appearance of the Rocky Patel HR 500 successfully translates into a perfect burn. The draw is good and there is plenty of aromatic smoke produced. No touch-ups or re-lights are needed, allowing me to truly enjoy what the cigar has to offer. The gray ash is solid too.