Rocky Patel Sun Grown

Purchased: 5-pack Sixty (6 X 60)
Store: CigarsInternational
Price: ~$20
Buy again? Yes. But just fivers going forward and only on deals.

tldr;

You can always count on CI to have specials to move old inventory and I got these a few months ago on a 5 X 5-pack special for $99. The specials are hit and miss, but out of that I discovered some real gems such as the Oliva Serie O (actually this wasn’t a new discovery as I was already buying these), CAO America Potomac (I LOVE this cigar), and the subject of this post, the RP Sun Grown Sixty. This is an uncomplicated mild to moderate smoke that’s great for smoking any time of day. I didn’t have high hopes for it when I first got the 5-pack, but it has turned out to be solid, quite enjoyable stick. BUT… it’s so similar to the Cargo in flavor profile that I would be hard-pressed to buy this at full price.

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The first third of the smoke is very similar to the Cargo with notes of cedar, earth, and nuts with a little toast. Spice is non-existent. As with other big ring-gauge sticks, this cigar produces copious amounts of smoke that’s on the mild side of medium.

Into the second third, some creaminess starts to present itself along with subtle notes of cacao and espresso. Strength increases just a tad due to the creaminess that coats the mouth, but the nature of the smoke doesn’t change all that much.

By the last third, it’s just more of the same with a little wood added in the mix. One thing I noted with all the sticks I’ve smoked from my fiver is that I’ve had to relight it a couple of times when I get to the final third. But I think that is due to my electric humidor that spiked the rH when it turned cold. The stick I’m reviewing right now had to be dry boxed for a three days before I felt is was smokeable. So, there probably was some residual moisture in the head of the stick.

All in all, this is a very pleasant stick, and I enjoy smoking one every so often when I want a change of pace. But as I mentioned above, even though I’d probably keep a few around in the large vitola, the flavor profile is so similar to the Cargo that I won’t be in any rush to replenish my supply.

And based on this, I can see where all the RP hate comes from. He has a lot of different blends and lines and a common complaint that I often hear is that in some cases, there is little differentiation between lines, frustrating people who don’t see how one stick can be so much more in price than another. Such is the case with the Sun Grown and Cargo. Yes, they’re different as they use different tobaccos and better construction in the Sun Grown, but they’re similar enough in flavor profile that it’s hard to reconcile paying $200+ for a box of Sun Grown vs $45 for a bundle of Cargo when they’re that similar in profile. This is why I will only buy these if they’re on a special sale and I get them for around $4-$5 per stick.