Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Maduro Review

[Ceedee]

Well, I've had this particular cigar sitting in my humidor for about 10 months now. It is the last of 5 cigars that I purchased when the OWR first hit the streets. I've had one about once every 2 months and each time the experience has gotten better. I decided today was a great day to spark this bad boy up so I did just that. Following is my review using the ICRS that Colin developed:

Pre-light
_______

Scent of the wrapper: Wonderful sweet tobacco smell. Hints of nuttiness.

Scent at foot: Sweet hay and cedar

Appearance: A dark, rustic and oily wrapper with some moderate veining. The name of the Stick "Olde World Reserve" is really brought forth with the square press and the somewhat unrefined wrapper. I really like the look and feel of the stick. The foot band made with a paper that is tobacco-based, adds to the overall classiness.

Feel: Hefty but balanced for a Toro sized cigar. No soft spots - moderate give with pressure from fingers. Just enough.

Tongue: I really don't taste the cigar pre-light with the tip of my tongue, as I have found that this can alter my enjoyment later on with a strong or bitter taste that takes a while to dissipate.

Flavor on draw: Dry cocoa, bit of hay and woody taste.

Smoke
______

Taste: Starts off with a couple of puffs of dry hay that quickly builds to a creamy leather, caramel and nutty taste. Vanilla and strong coffee followed.

Flavor Changes: After the first inch, the overall creaminess increases as does the nutty and sweet tastes. There is a hint of vanilla and perhaps coffee that is building at about the 1/3 mark. I remarked in my notes that this was like an espresso with a shot of cream in it. I also noted some nutty (hazelnut?) smokey taste coming through from time to time. At about the 1/2 mark, I had some burn issues (slight tunnel on one side) and that took about an inch or so to even out. The ash was flaky (as were all of the other 4 sticks I originally purchased. I have heard that the original OWR's had such flaky ash issues, but I have only my experience on this to confirm. Regardless of the flaky ash, the taste was wonderful and complex! The flavor kept building and the smoke was cloudy around my head the entire time I enjoyed this cigar.

Strength: This cigar I would say was med-full in body and medium in strength. No real nic-kick, but a small buzz did accompany my glass of water on this hot day. I ended up losing track of time during the last third of the stick and nubbed this one right into the Stinky.

Feeling: Wonderful! Thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable.
Scent of smoke: Almost clove-like. Vanilla, nut and leather and wood. Complex, I would say.

Heat on fingers and mouth: None really, until I nubbed the cigar and burned my thumbnail, lol.

Draw: Nice, considering this is a pressed cigar. No problems at all with draw in terms of air flow into my mouth. The tunnel was fixed in about an inch (see earlier remarks).

Finish: Medium finish. Sweet taste lingered a bit until the next draw.

Other aspects of this smoking experience: I really liked this cigar. With nearly a year extra age, this cigar mellowed nicely, but kept a wonderful and complex character. The maduro wrapper I think is the key here, as the previous experiences I have had with the OWR Corojo cigars, has not been nearly as enjoyable. This cigar is an expensive one, at nearly $15 each, but if you are looking for a cigar that will please the experienced smoker, I would wholeheartedly recommend this cigar. The flaky ash and small burn problem were outweighed easily by the complex tastes and flavor this cigar exuded. On a one to 10 scale, I give this cigar an 8.5!

Pictures here:

[Marlboro Cigars-cl]

Thanks for the beautiful review.
Going to have to try this cigar
(if I can find one anywhere).

[bobbyg29-cl]

Great review Ceedee! I really like these too!

[Webmeister]

I only have one of these left from last summer when Rocky was in town. I am looking forward to smoking it (as I was for the other 4 out of the 5er). I am a big RP fan, and a really like the OWR. I agree with you on the maduro - I prefer it over the natural wrapper as well. If it weren't so darn pricey, I would have bought a box. From what I can tell, boxes are only available in 50 ct which makes it box-split material.

DiscountCigars has a good price on them right now...
5 Toros - $44.95
5 Torps - $44.95
5 Robusto - $39.95
Box of 50 - $549.95

Rocky's website describes them as Vintage on steroids. I would have to agree.

Nice review Chris!

[cigaralliance]

That is a quality review! If only I had worked that hard in college!

[louistogie]

This is a great review, Ceedee!
I came so close to buying this stick some time ago but I pass it up.
Witch one of these sizes do you enjoy the most?

[Wingfan13-cl]

Originally Posted by Webmeister

Box of 50 - $549.95

Uh oh....do 5 people want to get in on a box split ? I like the Maduro. Thats $110 for 10 cigars.

[shrtcrt-cl]

Nice review and the pictures are excellent!

[Ceedee]

Originally Posted by louistogie

This is a great review, Ceedee!
I came so close to buying this stick some time ago but I pass it up.
Witch one of these sizes do you enjoy the most?

Ah ha, someone dug this review up... let me tell ya, this baby is a great smoke! I prefer the Robusto maduro - the size is perfect for an hour and a quarter smoke to an hour and a half. Tastes excellent!

Thanks for the kudos, when you spark one up I would be very interested to see your review on it!

CD

[louistogie]

Originally Posted by Ceedee

Ah ha, someone dug this review up... let me tell ya, this baby is a great smoke! I prefer the Robusto maduro - the size is perfect for an hour and a quarter smoke to an hour and a half. Tastes excellent!

Thanks for the kudos, when you spark one up I would be very interested to see your review on it!

CD

Sounds great. Next time I goto my local cigar shop
ill see if I can find the robusto size. And ill let you know how
it smokes

[Architeuthis]

Originally Posted by Ceedee

Ah ha, someone dug this review up... let me tell ya, this baby is a great smoke! I prefer the Robusto maduro - the size is perfect for an hour and a quarter smoke to an hour and a half. Tastes excellent!

CD

It is a fine cigar; although you don't get to like it, as I liked them first! <G>

[mrgatorman]

Very nice...I have one in my humi still waiting for my arrival. Soon...Looks great though. Love the change of the backdrop on your avitar. Honoring the Canada boys. nice job.

[cmontgomery-cl]

Those are one of my favorite smokes. I bought a box of 50 a few months ago. I try and smoke them sparingly to let them age a bit. I will probably start smoking them regularly afet a year or so.

[Architeuthis]

Originally Posted by mrgatorman

Very nice...I have one in my humi still waiting for my arrival. Soon...Looks great though. Love the change of the backdrop on your avitar. Honoring the Canada boys. nice job.

Maybe you *USED TO* have one in yer humidor, but have you checked recently? <G>

[JO4WVU]

nice review, OWR Maddies are one of my goto's along with a few Tat's

Great Stick and they can be had a few buck's cheaper now if you know where to look ; )