Patel Brothers Toro test drive

TheRiddick · 08-25-2009, 08:11 PM

Was at a wine and cigar dinner last Friday and was given the new Patel Brothers Toro by the West Coast Patel rep (the guy knows my preference for the big bodied/big flavor cigars). For reference, I am not a big Patel fan, find most lines medium at best with lack of complexity and a number of lines downright a waste of money.

I was given a Patel Vintage 1992 cigar to start with, an OK cigar by most standards, but not something that excites me. About 40% in I struck up a conversation with Patel West Coast rep and the second I asked him about the new line he pulled one from his pocket and asked me to smoke it and give him feedback (he was planning to smoke it himself during dinner).

The cigar sported an interim band so I have no idea what the production band will look like, and really don't care. The cigar had great construction with a pretty dark wrapper and nice heft to it, no blemishes on wrapper nor soft spots, no veins either, the wrapper having a nice oily sheen. Fired it up and well, this was easily a match for most any DPG product, a nice blast of spice up front (about half an inch worth) that then settled into a deep flavored and complex smoke with chocolate/powdered cocoa flavors dominating. Last 2 inches, as do DPG's, had more spice kick in, I'd say on the white pepper side. Full bodied and full flavored, a huge departure for Patel, IMO. (I know many on the board love The Edge and think it is full bodied, but I find it mild for the most part and lacking in flavor). The flavor stayed pretty constant throughout with no need to touch up the cigar at all.

A very enjoyable smoke I am looking forward to, first Patel I will actually spend my money on. This cigar came from (now aging) production run, to be released in October, and even at this point is smooth enough, although I will still age them for some time as I do with all other cigars.

08-25-2009, 08:11 PM	#1
TheRiddick Non-believer Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Greg Location: Las Vegas Posts: 943 Trading: (7)	Patel Brothers Toro test drive Was at a wine and cigar dinner last Friday and was given the new Patel Brothers Toro by the West Coast Patel rep (the guy knows my preference for the big bodied/big flavor cigars). For reference, I am not a big Patel fan, find most lines medium at best with lack of complexity and a number of lines downright a waste of money. I was given a Patel Vintage 1992 cigar to start with, an OK cigar by most standards, but not something that excites me. About 40% in I struck up a conversation with Patel West Coast rep and the second I asked him about the new line he pulled one from his pocket and asked me to smoke it and give him feedback (he was planning to smoke it himself during dinner). The cigar sported an interim band so I have no idea what the production band will look like, and really don't care. The cigar had great construction with a pretty dark wrapper and nice heft to it, no blemishes on wrapper nor soft spots, no veins either, the wrapper having a nice oily sheen. Fired it up and well, this was easily a match for most any DPG product, a nice blast of spice up front (about half an inch worth) that then settled into a deep flavored and complex smoke with chocolate/powdered cocoa flavors dominating. Last 2 inches, as do DPG's, had more spice kick in, I'd say on the white pepper side. Full bodied and full flavored, a huge departure for Patel, IMO. (I know many on the board love The Edge and think it is full bodied, but I find it mild for the most part and lacking in flavor). The flavor stayed pretty constant throughout with no need to touch up the cigar at all. A very enjoyable smoke I am looking forward to, first Patel I will actually spend my money on. This cigar came from (now aging) production run, to be released in October, and even at this point is smooth enough, although I will still age them for some time as I do with all other cigars.