Toro, 6" x 50 ring gauge, approx. $11.00Recently, I have said more nice things about Ted Kennedy than about Rocky Patel...and anyone who knows me would say that means nothing good for the Rock-ster. Of course, what does he care? I'm just a lowly consumer of cigar products that makes my views known to the entire world...if they would only have the decency to read this blog. So, I was trepidatious at the prospect of even trying this new Summer 2009 blend, especially since last year's Summer was so disappointing. This year's model reportedly sports a Nicaraguan wrapper around Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian filler and rates as a "full-bodied" smoke. Lots of people have loved it--I'm anxious to see if it can save my very low opinion of this whole risky Seasonal Blend scheme.
To start, the appearance is very nice--a medium brown color that has a reddish tinge in natural light. It is very even colored, without blotching or blemish. There are a few light veins and at least one large one that runs most of the length of the stick. The wrapper is shiny and oily to the touch. The aroma from the body is rich tobacco and a little leather; from the foot there is a faint chocolate smell with plenty of barnyard and composty aroma. The feel is neither rock hard, nor spongey, which bodes well.
Prelight draw was about as close to perfect as you could find--not too tight or too loose. The flavor on prelight was sweet hay mostly, but there was definitely a spicy tingle on the lips, too. I found the first few minutes difficult to characterize: there was some spice, but not overwhelming; there was a smoothness and an earthiness, but it was hard to say exactly what I was tasting. It was very good, though, at this stage of the game.
Through the first third, the Summer 2009 displayed quite a bit of black pepper along with earthy and leathery notes. The smoke was creamy and thick and the draw was very good, with just a slight canoe that corrected itself fairly quickly. The ash held on for as much as inch which inspired confidence, but that feeling was brought down when I took off the dual bands and found the wrapper cracked and peeling underneath--the band was actually holding it together!
The second third started out with an increase in spice and some definite coffee overtones. The body was quite full and I did start to feel some kick by this point, too.
By the time the last third rolled around, the RP Summer 2009 really did exhibit some strength. It was definitely full-bodied as well as being full-flavored and it may have been a mistake to have this one as a morning cigar. The earthy/leathery flavor profile that dominated most of the way is not my favorite type of smoke, but there was enough spice, coffee, and the occasional hit of cocoa to make things very interesting. The only hits I have against it were the split wrapper and the price, which will keep it from becoming something I would regularly enjoy.
Body: 9/10
Strength: 8/10
Complexity: 9/10
AFP Scale:
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 8.5/10
Note: the split wrapper did not further unravel or affect the burn, so I only marked off .5 point. Without that issue, the Construction score would have been 2/2, resulting in a 9/10 total.
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