The new "Reo", made by Rocky Patel Review

[ggiese]

REO Corona

Size: 4-1/2x44

Wrapper: Aged Costa Rican

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Honduras/ Nicaragua

Strength: The Full side of Medium, with Medium body.

Recommendation: Very Recommended.

I was gifted and I smoked the brand new Reo Corona tonight... These Reo's (along with the new "Vibe") are made in the Rocky Patel factory in Honduras where the Edge cigars are made, for United Tobacco. The wrapper is aged Costa Rican, Binder is Nicarauan and the filler is Nicaraguan and Honduran. These are going to be a bit hard to find right now, but I understand these wiill be making it out to stores very soon.

In a word - WOW!!! First off - I'm just starting to warm up to the box pressed cigars. I was not much of a fan until I started smoking the RP's and Padron Anniversary's. This cigar had incredible construction, and a near flawless, darker brown chocolate colored wrapper.

Pre-light - when I clipped the cap with my double guillotine cutter, the small cap portion exploded sending pieces of tobacco all over. That is the first time that has ever happened to me. To be honest, I was a bit concerned about the draw and the construction. But then I took some pre-light draws and was pleasantly surprised at how easy and nice the draw was. There was a slight sweet oaky taste.

When I lit the cigar, I was immediately met with a spicy taste - very interesting, and not overly so. The cigar lit very easily and uniform. The draw was right where I like it - not too loose, nor to tight. Plenty of rich, thick tasty smoke. Initially, I had trouble identifying the flavors, but there was definitely an explosion of flavors. The taste was very rich, earthy and seemed to me to be a heavy woody taste. It very much reminded me of the Edge, with a bit more spice (one of the complaints that I had about the Edge was it seemed to be lacking just a bit - the Reo seems to make up for it). The ash was firm and a light gray.

The spiciness was there to about the midway point. I found myself captivated with the rich, tasty smoke. Again, I was trying to distinquish flavors, but was overwhelmed at the richness of the flavor. Again, the pleasant woodiness of the taste is what struck me the most.

This was a cigar that I smoked completely down to the nub - and it maintained it's excellent characteristics all the way through. I would say this was on the full side of medium - definitely not a light cigar, nor was it overpowering. I enjoyed the cigar with a Sprecher seasonal "Abbey Triple" Ale - and the cigar complimeted rich sweetness of the beer.

This is definitely a "must try" cigar!!! It's reasonably priced in the $4-$5 range, and absolutely worth the price. In addition to the Corona, there is the "Chairman" (6x5, Torpedo (5-1/4x54) and the Robusto (5x52). These cigars will make it into my regular rotation.

[RPB67]

Great Review.

I like some of the Rocky Patel Line and will definately give these a try.

Are these out at your local B&M or are they available on line yet ?

I thought they were just show cased at the RTDA show and due for release.

[carbonbased_al]

The cigars look pretty, but damn if those aren't the fugliest bands i've ever seen.

[Beachmarineguy]

Can't wait to try them. I really like every RP that I have tried thus far.

[ggiese]

Originally Posted by RPB67

Great Review.

I like some of the Rocky Patel Line and will definately give these a try.

Are these out at your local B&M or are they available on line yet ?

I thought they were just show cased at the RTDA show and due for release.

The ONLY place I've seen them available online yet is
TobaccoWorldCigars. I have not seen them in the stores in the Chicago area as of yet...

[miki]

Nice review. Never heard of these til now. I like RPs and this one after your review will be a must try for me.

[RPB67]

Originally Posted by ggiese

The ONLY place I've seen them available online yet is
TobaccoWorldCigars. I have not seen them in the stores in the Chicago area as of yet...

Thanks for the info. I checked it out and they sell singles. Thats perfect.

You can try before you buy !

Thanks for the info.

Oh by the way Bump for you !

RPB

[Andyman]

A handfull of Gorillas here did a tasting for Uncle Mikey on these on behalf of Eddie Ortega, and Eric Espinoza of United brands. A few people liked them but most found them to be on the young and sour side. All the reviews were lost in the crash..

[NCatron]

Yeah, I smoked two of the Robusto.

Had major burn problems and both sticks turned sour at some point.

BUT

For the first 1" of the first one I smoked, the Reo was the BEST tasting cigar I have had yet. I'm definitely going to purchase a couple more and age them in the humi, if that taste is present for a whole cigar, it will definitely be my go-to.

[ggiese]

Originally Posted by aahagel

A handfull of Gorillas here did a tasting for Uncle Mikey on these on behalf of Eddie Ortega, and Eric Espinoza of United brands. A few people liked them but most found them to be on the young and sour side. All the reviews were lost in the crash..

I was told about some of the new United Cigars smoking "young", but the one I got smoked like a dream!!! Mine had a great aftertaste too...

I've also got the new "Vibe" Robusto I'm going to fire up in a few days or so... It has the traditional cigar shape, and looks a bit rougher than the Reo.

I know Eddie and Eric have been trying to get these out there. I saw where they donated a couple of boxes of each to an upcoming herf in New Jersey.

[croatan]

I tasted these for Uncle Mikey a few weeks ago and enjoyed the Reos. In fact, in my review, I said they reminded me of Rocky Patel Edges (which is a good thing). The Vibe that I had, on the other hand, wasn't very pleasant. To me, it tasted like a sour corojo wrapper.

[PuroBrat]

Good review George, they sound great, I'll be having to look for one now. That band is freekin' awesome.

[croatan]

Originally Posted by PuroBrat

Good review George, they sound great, I'll be having to look for one now. That band is freekin' awesome.

The band was actually about the only thing that really bugged me about the Reos (the torp's slightly tough draw being my only other complaint). Presonally, I think the band would be more at home on some vanilla flavored crapstick than a hand-rolled cigar. Oh well, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?

[ggiese]

Originally Posted by croatan

I tasted these for Uncle Mikey a few weeks ago and enjoyed the Reos. In fact, in my review, I said they reminded me of Rocky Patel Edges (which is a good thing). The Vibe that I had, on the other hand, wasn't very pleasant. To me, it tasted like a sour corojo wrapper.

I guess based upon everyone's review, United decided to pull the Vibe's and let them age a little bit longer before they release them... At least that's what they're saying...

[floydp]

I did one of the reviews for uncle Mikey, Reo,Sour or metalic flavor throughout, I was gonna try the other the next day but decided to let it rest. Probably fire it up in a couple weeks.

Just wondering how much time in the humidor yours had ggiese?

It definately had moments..