Why does Rockey Patel have a bad rap?

S

SmokinApe

SilverBack
A similar thread has got me to thinking; why all the negative comments on Rocky Patel cigars? I agree that some of the "value" cigars don't have the same complexity as some other "premium" lines, but Rocky has been tuning heads and dropping some great products over the last few years. Look to his CA ratings for proof...

Anyway, please discuss...
 
Personally, the vintage series is one of my favorites. But not unlike Gurkha, he has a ton of sticks out there, double what you might think if you include Indian Tabac. My theory is the more varieties you make the more people you end up pissing off.
 
His product is inconsistent as far as quality. You may smoke 1 or 2 good ones and 10 bad ones. In my opinion he got too big, too fast.
 
I am still an RP fanboy, but to Darrell's point, I've had some sticks that weren't all that exceptioanal from him. When he's on, he's on so I'll keep buying.
 
I've enjoyed Rocky's Vintage 90, 92 and 99 and the Honduran Classic. I have a media friend that just got back from the IPCR in Vegas, he told me that the Rocky Patel booth was absolutely awful. Not so much a reflection on the cigars themselves but the people manning the booth. He said they were rude, had a bad attitude, didn't want to answer questions, and preoccupied with their own conversations.

I believe the staff that works for a company reflect the owners attitudes. Of all the places to present this way, this has got to be the worst choice. With all the retailers, competitors and media at this event you would think Rocky's staff would have done all they could to interact in a positive way to all that attended. Escpecially a young company, such as Rocky Patel.
 
Rocky's problem is he puts out to much stuff (Like Gurkha & CAO) Rocky pissed alot of people off eraly in his career as one he was a Lawyer who got in the tobacco business and is not of Cuban descent. He came out early and copied Padron form the looks of his Cigars to the advertising sign thatn looks like a Cigar. Some B&M's still call them a Padron knockoff but they also call LFD a Fuente knockoff.

Rocky also got into some arguments about the TRUTH to his Vintage 90/92's and if there really is 18 year old tobacco in there. (Lew started a huge smear campaign with his La Baloney Brand)
He did buy all of General Cigars wrappers for the Astral Brand back in hte late 90's (Which had to be alot if General was going to make it one of there main brands) I think the Vintage 90/92's started that way with real Vintage tobbaco but I don't think its still the same to day. I don't care I still like the Brand with 5 year old leaves

I love all of Rocky's stuff even the exclusive brands he makes for online shops.
It all comes down to taste and Quality and you if like it or not.

His latest brand The Fusion Double Maduro is a great example. The cigar was one dimesional and smoked the same all the way down. That can be a bad thing but in my case its Great! I want to taste a smooth, chocolatly Real Maduro with lots of smoke and thats what I get. The Cuban Blend is another case of single flavor but it hits on a different level. The Old World Reserve and the Vintage 90/92 are still one of my favorites and will always be.

Now that he is making Lancero's in all of these brands and the new Seasons "Summer Blend" has me looking to buy more RP's

The Fusion, Decade & Sungrown are good cigars and I would never turn them down but I am not looking forward to smoking them either.

I am Rocky Man and always will be. If your a Maduro person Rocky Patel is your Guy! :tu
 
I have never had a bad RP. I really enjoy the flavor of all the Edge's, the olde world reserve and even the REO. Construction is average and I've had some with burn problems but overall I've loved RP.
 
I just like some of his blends and dislike others. I like the vintage 92 and the Edge Maduro.

The only decade I've tried was a bit flat. I don't think they are bad cigars at all.
 
I don't think Rocky has it as bad as Gurhka or CAO, but I believe he has two issues. The first being so much product, that many marcas and your bound to bring a dog or two to market. The second being that there are probably a lot of people like myself who used to LOVE Rockys and upgraded their tastes so they hate on him a little bit.

I don't hate RPs, and to my recollection the only one I didnt like was the Vintage 1999. The others I though were quite good a year ago. Heck if I go in a B&M chances are 10-1 the stick I'll buy there is a RP even tho I'd prolly smoke what I brought with me.
 
Addiction said:
I don't think Rocky has it as bad as Gurhka or CAO, but I believe he has two issues. The first being so much product, that many marcas and your bound to bring a dog or two to market. The second being that there are probably a lot of people like myself who used to LOVE Rockys and upgraded their tastes so they hate on him a little bit.

I don't hate RPs, and to my recollection the only one I didnt like was the Vintage 1999. The others I though were quite good a year ago. Heck if I go in a B&M chances are 10-1 the stick I'll buy there is a RP even tho I'd prolly smoke what I brought with me.
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You bring up a very nice point there, for a time I smoked mostly the Vintage and I think he just has so many options out there now.

It is kind of like when your favorite indy band gets picked up by a label and you feel they have "sold-out" by going mainstream, just my thoughts...

By the way - what did you upgrade to?
 
Ditto on the quality. I had a decade recently that had a "tan line" (took off the bands and the color was significantly darker under the band). I know you might say that this is the B&Ms fault, but I got mine from a new box and my B&M moves some stock out fast.

Other that weird things like that I just don't like the flavor. Strong and muddy. Not complex at all.
 
I don't think Rocky's rep is all that bad...nothing like Gurkhas anyway. As far as Rocky not being latin, I don't think anybody considers that when picking out a cigar.

I really enjoy the premium RP lines (OWR, SG, Vintage) but I know better than to try the cheapie stuff. On that note however, I rarely try out the cheapies from any manufacturer. I do think Rocky needs to focus on the premium brands and kill off some of his cheaper stuff.
 
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