Disappointed with my first RP Fusion

[6clicks]

I had my first Fusion this afternoon and what a one dimentional dog rocket. I hope this wasn't a representative sample because I've got a bunch of these in my humi. The stick smelled great with strong barnyard and earthy overtones. So far so good... The construction felt pretty good but upon closer inspection was quite poor. This one got by quality control for sure, as it had a 2" flap on the wrapper. At first I thought it had just peeled off but I found that it was a loose bubble of leaf that was affixed at its end to the stick and went beneath the lower band ( half of the bands fell off these sticks). It was really bad. I toasted it up expecting to get some of these great tastes that I had sensed on pre light but they never surfaced. There was pepper through the nose and spice, but the flavor was really off. By the second third it looked like a hobo smoke with the wrapper flapping all over the place. By the last third it looked better but it needed close attention by the torch to keep it burning straight. The only reason it didn't wind up in the creek was that I was hoping something good would happen. It never did. The end of the smoke was surely stronger with lots of spice (or was that just tar) and pepper but it was also hot and bitter. I liked the 1990 and really liked the 1992 so I was expecting something at least as good. I hope they improve with time but I've got too many other sticks in the humis that I know are way better than this one, and some of them only cost me two bucks. Am I alone here?

[BeerAdvocate-cl]

I love these sticks and have a box of them in the humi that I got off the Devil site. Give them another try. Some like them some dont.

[TempestPSO]

I'm not big on the fusions either, not bad just not something I would find myself reaching for, Try an Olde World or the Indian Tabac 10th anniv.

[JohnRider]

Originally Posted by TempestPSO

I'm not big on the fusions either, not bad just not something I would find myself reaching for, Try an Olde World or the Indian Tabac 10th anniv.

Two great suggestions...but I would suggest the corojo version of the Olde World.

[JohnRider]

Originally Posted by 6clicks

I had my first Fusion this afternoon and what a one dimentional dog rocket. ... Am I alone here?

You are not alone. I would probably be a little more diplomatic, but I agree with your sentiment.

As far as Rocky Patel goes, I do really like the ITC 10th Anniversary A LOT and of course the Edge, Olde World Corojo, and the Vintage 90 and 92. For some reason, the Fusion just left me very bored and unimpressed. (see how diplomatic that is?!! ha ha ha)

[baba]

Several on CL have reported that the Fusion was not to their liking. So you are not by yourself.

[pv1191-cl]

Most RP I can care less for. But, try the Edge Missle Maduro. That is one fo the best smoke I've had in a long time.

[baboruger]

I was disappointed with the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth (should I go on?) Fusions I had. The first one was ok and I thought I would like them, plus they get good reviews, but I think they might be on the lesser side of consistent.

As for RP sticks, I say ITC 10th, that's it now. I used to be a HUGE RP fan, but he puts out so many cigar lines now with all of the house brands and stuff, I think the consistency is no longer there on many of the lines. The Edge is ok but I just never reach for them these days. I'm also getting really turned off by the aged 10 and 12 year stuff, there have been so many 90 and 92's made, I find it really hard to believe that they had enough wrappers from those years to make that many cigars. They are a good cigar, but I just think that the marketing is BS.

Sorry for the Rocky rant, but I've just stopped enjoying most of his smokes these days. I hope that Pepin does not follow suit (although I see the writing on the wall...)

[TempestPSO]

one thing I have noticed is Rocky has his cigars made in alot of different factories nowadays, oddly enough the factory that makes the fusion does make some good cigars for other companies, the fusion IMO is just kinda a dud. But when your making as many blends as Rocky I guess they all can't be home runs, need a couple base hits in there as well.

[TempestPSO]

I agree that I fear Pepin may over extend himself, alot of house brands and exclusive brands out there right now.

[eggwhites]

I have yet to try the fusion, but I have heard more bad things than good things... for now they aren't on my list of sticks to buy.

[iloveclmore]

I did not enjoy the Fusion either, so you are not alone.

[texasmatt]

I've had both of the fusions, and they were both equally untasty. I wouldn't say mundane, because they did have some sort of flavor(s), but it was just not an appealing flavor(s).

[happy1]

Never had a Fusion

[ibosmiley-cl]

Not much of a fusion fan either here.