Rocky Patel has produced some of the highest quality cigars available; most of which have earned ratings as high as a ’95,’ one of the highest ever awarded by Cigar Aficionado. Rocky’s meticulous attention to detail allows him to create blends which draw perfectly, burn evenly, and taste the same from cigar to cigar, every time. With that in mind, there is no wonder why most enthusiasts consider Rocky Patel Fusion to be one of Rocky's best blends.

Rocky Patel Fusion is an outstanding, unique cigar. Originally blended to combine the tastes of his Vintage ’90 and ’92 lines, Fusion utilizes a seamless Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf as a binder, which is then concealed by an oily Habano wrapper. These leaves bind an incredible mix of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Cameroon fillers to make a cigar that has received unrivaled attention from enthusiasts. Upon lighting, sweet notes engulf the palate with hints of cashews and cedar, which remain noticeable throughout the finish. Rocky Patel Fusion is well balanced and flavorful, offering a smooth complexity unheard of in other medium to full-bodied cigars. As with all his other blends, Fusion burns perfectly from stick to stick and tastes exactly the same from box to box. If you’re looking for a unique blend, one that is smooth and flavorful yet entertaining and complex, Rocky Patel Fusion is an excellent choice; perfect for any occasion.

Q: What is the proper amount of tobacco to cut off my cigar before smoking it?

A: The act of enjoying a cigar is truly an art form. A tremendous amount of effort is put forth to create a cigar, from the moments the first seed is planted in fertile soil to the rolling process and then finally to the method in which each enthusiast enjoys it. Since there is so much time and effort utilized to create these flavorful treasures, it is important to understand how to enjoy them. There are specific methods used to properly grow tobacco, then to ferment it, and then to roll the leaves into a cigar, all the way through physically lighting the stick. As you can imagine, there is also a specific method used to cut each cigar so you receive a proper burn and draw, every time.

There are three main parts to each cigar: head, body, and foot. Since the foot is the part that is lit, the head is the end each enthusiast must cut. Although the amount of tobacco each individual removes from the head of a cigar is strictly up to personal preferences, there is a point where the cigar could be damaged by an improper cut. When examining the head of a cigar, you will notice the “shoulder,” which slightly rounds out into the body of the cigar. It is important not to cut a cigar anywhere past the shoulder because the wrapper leaf may then unravel, leaving nothing but a mess of tobacco that cannot be enjoyed. As long as each cigar is cut before that point, the amount of tobacco to remove is strictly based on the enthusiast and the type of cigar used. For instance, some individuals prefer torpedo shaped cigars, which have a pointed head. Some of those same individuals may choose to remove half an inch from the head of the cigar, while others may only remove just enough to create a small amount of airflow. The more tobacco removed allows for more smoke to enter the palate. Therefore, the amount of tobacco to cut off each cigar is up to you, based on your personal beliefs and preferences.

Edge Lite is a phenomenal cigar, consisting of the same flavor profile as the original Edge but without the intense strength. This cigar is perfect for seasoned aficionados and new enthusiasts alike. Edge Lite hails from Rocky Patel’s factory in Honduras and utilizes a blend of Honduran ligero tobaccos, all wrapped with an Ecuadorian Connecticut-shade leaf. Due to the filler, the flavor combination consists of spice and pepper, similar to the original Edge, but the wrapper allows for a creamy after taste that consists of hints of walnuts and some earthy nuances. Edge Lite is smooth, yet medium-bodied which maintains its unique flavor throughout without becoming overwhelmingly strong. The finish is somewhat mellow but long lasting as the complex flavors from the ligero compete for dominance. Perfect in the morning with a cup of coffee, or especially enjoyable after a hearty lunch, Edge Lite offers a smooth complexity and a ton of flavor all enthusiasts can enjoy. Remember, this cigar is a product of Rocky Patel, so expect a perfect burn and draw.


Toro (6" x 52) Complex and smooth, this size was very enjoyable. It offered ample spice but remained smooth, with a very creamy smoke. The aroma was earthy and the sweet notes were subtle. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Torpedo (6" x 52) Very complex in comparison to the other sizes and burned incredibly cool. The initial flavor consisted of pepper, which then dissipated into an earthy core before transforming back into a spicy blend. Noticed a ton of sugary sensations in the palate, only masked by a peaty finish. Perfectly constructed and offered an easy draw with thick smoke. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Double Corona (7.5" x 52) Draw was slightly tight but the stick burned slowly. Offered robust notes of pepper to start and continued to produce more complex notes of spice as it burned. Noticed a sweet sensation in the finish but the majority of flavor consisted of light pepper. 87/100 [Buy Now]

Robusto (5" x 50) Offered some sweet notes with the initial light and burned evenly throughout. The draw was perfect with mellow, yet spicy undertones. Noticeable nutty flavors mix with white pepper in the finish. 87/100 [Buy Now]

9/16/08: Tune in to see the new co-host help Tim interview George Rico of Gran Habano cigars in this informative show. Gran Habano is a boutique brand that is about to explode, watch this episode and see why!
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Verdadero Organic - Verdadero Organic is an excellent cigar consisting of 100% organically grown tobacco hailing from the virgin soils at the base of the Mambacho volcano in Granada, Nicaragua.

Don Pepin Garcia Tabacos Baez - Although a slight departure from his standard, full-bodied cigars, Don Pepin Garcia’s Tabacos Baez is an excellent blend; the only cigar he produced with a Connecticut wrapper.

Alec Bradley Tempus - Hailing from Honduras, Alec Bradley Tempus is a concoction of tobaccos cultivated since 2001, carefully selected strictly for their incredible quality and blended to create the ideal full-bodied cigar that is as smooth as it is flavorful.

LXI Habano Sun Grown - LXI Habano Sun Grown is another excellent blend hailing from world-renowned cigar maker Mike Cusano. Known for their mild to medium-bodied cigars, LXI Habano Sun Grown is a welcomed edition to the Cusano line, becoming their first full-bodied powerhouse.

Typically, many cigar enthusiasts are surprised to hear that Drew Estate is among the top five cigar makers in regard to the amount of cigars they produce each day. The truth is their uniquely infused cigars have a dedicated following while their new efforts in creating premium, non-infused cigars have yielded even more fans. This rapidly increasing demand for Drew Estate cigars prompted Jonathan Drew and his team to construct the largest factory in all of Nicaragua, measuring just shy of 100,000 square feet.

In all, the project took several years to complete and is still a work in progress as some of the finest details are still being wrapped up. Drew Estate has created some of the most unique blends in the industry, and getting a behind the scenes look at their factory is nearly impossible as they closely guard all of their secrets. Despite my best efforts to get a tour of the new facility, my requests were constantly being turned down. I was surprised when, out of the blue, I received a call from Jonathan this past summer with an offer to come tour his factory.

The heat was almost unbearable as I waited for Jonathan outside my hotel in the center of Esteli, Nicaragua. As he pulled up, the radio was blasting and when the door swung open, I was pleasantly greeted with a smile and a steady supply of air conditioning. I am familiar with most of Esteli, but the roads Jonathan traveled leading to his factory were foreign. Jonathan explained that for the site of the factory they chose a spot just outside of town, which prior to the factory being built was a fairly poor barrio (neighborhood). For Jonathan, improving the lives of the people in Nicaragua was a top priority and he wanted to bring jobs to an area of town where people were eager to work. His desire to give back to the people of Nicaragua was a common theme throughout the whole tour and was especially noticable within the confines of the factory. He also provided great benefits for his employees ranging from medical care to assistance with food, in addition to transportation to and from work.

The factory is situated at one of the highest elevations in the region, providing panoramic views of tobacco fields and the city below. As we approached the gate, Jonathan went on to explain that he has been busy working with the Nicaraguan government to help build bridges and fix the roads around the factory. Pulling in, I was like a wide-eyed kid at Christmas, in disbelief of the raw size of the building. Noticing my expression, Jonathan commented, “Now you see why everyone around here calls it ‘La Gran Fabrica!’” We made our way into the factory and I was struck, not by what I saw, but more so from what I did not see. Jonathan was employing some pretty old school techniques when it came to cigar production. For example, many factories use what is called a “Liberman” to help apply the binder around the bunched filler. This apparatus, which reduces waste and speeds up productivity, was nowhere to be found. Also, there were no draw-testing machines, which are used by almost every other large factory to ensure quality control. Before Jonathan could even begin to explain his philosophy, questions started spewing out of my mouth. Jonathan went into detail about the Drew Estate philosophy. “We want our rollers to take their time and make the best cigars on the market. To accomplish this, I think all the cigars need to be made completely by hand without shortcuts like the Liberman.” He went on to explain that in his experience, “rollers are too prone to rely on things like draw testing machines as a crutch, and to make the best cigars, the rollers need to pay attention to even the smallest details.” As I did a spot check on the production from several pairs, all of them drew perfectly and I began to understand what he was talking about.

After seeing the rest of the premium cigar production, we took a break for lunch outside on the terrace. Construction was still being completed on this section of the factory, but Jonathan explained it was more of a phase II area where he was building a luxury hotel with a pool and all of the amenities. His goal, when completed, is to invite cigar enthusiasts from all over the world to come stay at Drew Estate and immerse themselves in the cigar culture of Nicaragua as well as the popular ecotourism.

After lunch, we wound our way through the seemingly endless aging rooms where Jonathan was kind enough to let me take some souvenirs with me. The tour ended at their subculture studio where a team of artists were making everything from furniture and cigar boxes to paintings for the factory walls. I did not want to leave without the chance to see where they made Acid and actually infused the cigars, but when I asked, Jonathan just laughed and said, “I suppose Coca-Cola shows people their recipe on their tour.” Well, it was worth a shot I suppose.