Noob Adoption Review April 2008 #1

[Blues Tiger]

This month for my first review I chose to go with a Rocky Patel OSG that was so generously given to me by MarkinCA. Let me just say that I have been somewhat biased against Patel and I don't really know why. I guess I am a little skeptical of his blends because he appears to have so many and come up with one a month! However, after this cigar I just have to try the "new" Sun Grown. After smoking the cigar and preparing the review below, I went and watched a review from Jerry at Stogie Review. I actually enjoyed the cigar and apparently much more than Jerry did. I can really see how if I had seen someone else's review before I smoked the OSG I might not have enjoyed it as much as I did.

On to the review:

Pre-light inspection: Very nice looking cigar. The color was a consistent golden brown. The wrapper did appear a little flakey at the foot, but not too bad. The band was plain and not very distinctive or attractive to me. The aroma was nice but not very strong.

1st Third: I cut the cap off using my Palio cutter. The pre-lit draw was nothing special flavor wise, but the draw was just right. I toasted the foot with a torch lighter. It started burning very easily and produced a fair amount of "resting" smoke. The first draw was unpleasant, somewhat harsh possibly due to the fast lighting of the foot. I started smoking slowly taking a puff every minute or so. Once the initial harshness settled down the flavor really started to pickup. I tasted smooth caramel and vanilla flavors throughout the rest of the 1st third. The ash held on for about 1" before gently falling off while resting in the ash tray. The burn remained remarkably even.

2nd Third: Second verse, same as the first. The caramel flavor remained and I was very surprised at the volume of smoke produced both while resting and puffing. The finish was smooth and maybe just a little harsh. The burn remained even again and the ash held on only for about 1/2" this time before falling in my lap!

Final Third: The cigar started to get a little hot and harsh, but the flavor remained constant and in my opinion good. I continued to enjoy it almost to the nub before it just got too hot and harsh to continue.

Final impressions: I really enjoyed this cigar more so than I expected too. I have learned a valuable lesson which is to make up my own mind if I like a cigar and not worry if everybody else disagrees. I plan to try the Patel Sun Grown next and see how it compares to the OSG. Thank you Mark for another cigar that I probably would have never tried if not for your generosity in giving me one!

Overall ranking: 7.5/10

Thanks!

Blues Tiger

[DixieTiger]

Nice review

[easyt]

Nice to see some positive words on the OSG for a change. I enjoyed my first one. Eight months later, my second one was very unpleasant.

Thanks for the review.

[MarkinCA]

[SIZE=3]Nice looking review Jay, and glad you enjoyed the Patel OSG...[/SIZE]

[krisko]

The 'OSG' was my first memorably bad cigar. To that point I thought Rocky could do no wrong and I got a mazo of 18 in the Petit Corona size. Each one I've had has been a dog rocket, some more offensive than others. I finished the first two I smoked and then the other 2 I was unable to make last longer than about 5 minutes. The other 14 or so are taking up space in my humidor...I might dissect a few to see what makes a bad cigar tick.

But hey, different strokes right? I'm glad somebody enjoys these.

Now the real Sun Grown is a different story altogether...I put that up against any other Rocky including OWR and Decade.

[jamesb3]

Nice review, have enjoyed most of the RP's I have smoked. Look forward to trying one out for myself.

[Blues Tiger]

Originally Posted by krisko

The 'OSG' was my first memorably bad cigar. To that point I thought Rocky could do no wrong and I got a mazo of 18 in the Petit Corona size. Each one I've had has been a dog rocket, some more offensive than others. I finished the first two I smoked and then the other 2 I was unable to make last longer than about 5 minutes. The other 14 or so are taking up space in my humidor...I might dissect a few to see what makes a bad cigar tick.

But hey, different strokes right? I'm glad somebody enjoys these.

Now the real Sun Grown is a different story altogether...I put that up against any other Rocky including OWR and Decade.

That's exactly what I was expecting too. I almost thought the bands were switched because no one likes these. Maybe I just lucked up and got a decent one. I have a new Sun Grown I'm gonna try this weekend and see if your correct.

Blues

[Tredegar]

I have only had one of these smokes but I enjoyed it immensely. I keep bidding on, and losing, on the evil auction website a lot of these smokes.