Cigar: Rocky Patel The Edge A-10
Size: 6 x 52 (Toro)
Wrapper: Corojo, Maduro
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaragua, Panama
Price: $9.14 at my local B&M; $35.50 per five pack at Cigars International
Looking through my humidor this weekend, I realized that my stock of cigars to review sat at zero. Plenty of ‘value smokes’ to enjoy and a handful of premium cigars but all of them were already reviewed. The B&M nearest to me doesn’t add many new brands all that often, so I’m often in there five to ten minutes searching the shelves for cigars that warrant a review. This time around, it took me less than a minute to find this new Rocky Patel: the Edge A-10. I’ve smoked many Edges over the years; in fact, the Maduro version was one of my go-to cigars for a solid year around 2005. Despite being one year late (the Edge was released in 2004), the Edge A-10 marks the tenth anniversary of the Edge cigar. Seeing the dual wrapper (Corojo and Maduro wrappers used in standard Edge cigars) more or less sold me in picking one up right away for review. Needless to say, I was eager to review this.
While I found no outward construction issues with the cigar, to my fingers this particular Edge A-10 felt more tightly packed than other cigars. I found faint leathery aromas on the pre-light examination. After a punch and light, I felt the draw to be perfectly balanced (just the right amount of resistance). Starting out, the cigar’s flavor profile to felt a bit more subdued, giving me mild spices notes in the back of the throat to start and coffee-like flavors about ten minutes in. I would characterize the start of the cigar as around medium in body but growing towards medium-to-full by the end. At the halfway point of the cigar, the coffee notes coupled with hints of leather became more prominent and by the last inch of the cigar, was amplified even more. Total smoking time on the cigar was 1:31.
The only real issue I encountered with the cigar was the burn. Three times during the smoking of the cigar did the burn go uneven enough to where it needed a healthy burn correction to get it back on track. Other than that, I found the Edge A-10 to be an enjoyable smoke.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
To recap the Rocky Patel The Edge A-10:
- As a fan of the maduro wrapper Edge, I really enjoyed the A-10. It’s a great take on an already solid cigar.
- I love the depth of strength to this cigar, although the last inch or two might be a bit much for newer smokers or those who prefer milder smokes.
- Buying in IL, the price point for this cigar is where I would expect it to sell for ($10 and under) . Doing a bit of searching online, picking up a five pack can get you these at $7.10 per stick.
- This is the first Rocky Patel I have had in a long time that I felt stood out among the deluge of offerings they have. I will look to pick up a few more when funds allow.
As mentioned in my last post, if you haven’t signed up for the contest I am running, please do so (chance at free cigars). Please leave your selected date in the comment section. And as always, thank you very much for reading and I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.
Not a fan of Rocky Patel, for the most part, and the price of the A-10, I will pass on this cigar.
Must be getting close to baby time.
Getting closer yes.
Nice write up Jon, every once in a while you find something new and exciting to try.
Nice Review, although I rarely smoke Rocky stuff anymore your review sounds like this one might be a good stick to give another shot. I can’t remember the last time I smoked a Barberpoll.
an uneven burn has always been something i dislike when smoking a cigar since it can alter the flavors, not in a noticeable way, but it’s there, there’s always this feeling of perfection when it goes evenly. on the other hand, two wrappers cigars have always been appealing to anyone’s eyes, makes them look like a chocolate treat which makes you want to taste as soon as you see it.
Enjoyed the review!