Cigar Reviewed: Rocky Patel Decade

I chose to smoke a Rocky Patel Decade in the Robusto (5" x 50 RG) size after dinner on Father's Day. I was out in the backyard with my wife and dog, Max. My drink choice was Knob Creek Single Barrel mixed with Coke and ice. The music was classic rock from the 70's. This is all to set my mood. I lightly toasted the foot without getting that burnt taste that you sometimes have to blow back out, and at last - it was cigar time! In the first few draws, the cigar was a little tight, so I pinched it & rolled it a bit to loosen it up. That must have done the trick because from there on out it was smooth sailing. The burn was even and the draw was perfect. The Decade for me, isn't a heavy cigar. It falls in the medium-strength category for me. I get a little bit of a hay or straw taste in the early parts. It isn't until the halfway point that this cigar kicks into gear a little as it starts to gain strength. I start to taste a sort-of raisin flavor, but it very well could be the drink talking. There was plenty of smoke produced as I like my stogies that way. There is definitely a bit of sweetness on the tongue in the final stages of the smoke. The flavor stayed with a distinct sweet tobacco taste throughout, kind of like if cigarettes were any good I'd want them to taste like this.