Rocky Patel Goes Light and Dark With Two New Brands
Though Rocky Patel celebrated his 60th birthday with a new brand called the Rocky Patel 60, that anniversary smoke wasn’t the only cigar he was previewing at the PCA trade show in Las Vegas last week. Patel has also introduced two contrasting lines—the light and mild White Label, and the dark and stronger Disciple.
Made with a Connecticut shade wrapper, Honduran binder and easy-going blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler, the Rocky Patel White Label is billed as a mild to medium-bodied cigar, though there’s one more tobacco in the filler that Patel is keeping secret. It’s made in Nicaragua at Patel’s Tavicusa factory and comes in four sizes: Robusto, measuring 5 inches by 50 ring gauge; Toro at 6 1/2 by 52; a 7-by-48 Churchill; and a 6-by-60 aptly named Sixty. The cigars have suggested retail prices of $19 to $21 each, which is pricey for a typical cigar from Rocky Patel.
For stronger cigars at nearly half the price, Patel has also debuted the Rocky Patel Disciple, which gets its power from a dark, Mexican San Andrés wrapper and hearty Nicaraguan blend. It’s also made at his factory in Nicaragua and comes in four sizes: Robusto at 5 by 50; Toro at 6 by 52; the 6-by-60 Sixty; and an unusual perfecto shape called the Bala. The unique cigar measures 5 3/4 by 58 and is rolled with a closed foot that’s been pre-punched. Disciples are priced at $10.50 to $13 each.
Both brands come in 20-count boxes. The White Label won't be shipping until the end of October, but the Disciple is expected to arrive next month.
