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ITC 10th Anniversary Cigar Review

By Jeff | March 25, 2008 |

Brand: Rocky Patel
Line: ITC 10th Anniversary
Vitola: Robusto 5×50
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $95.00 (Box of 20)

Thanks to Tom from NC for the picture.

Description: This was a very nice gift from Jesse! Good-looking, beefy smoke, with a thick-veined cinnamon wrapper.

Easy clip, with a little too tight on the draw, I actually clipped it a bit more. I detected barnyard flavors and black pepper with my pre-lit ritual. The pepper was enough to tickle my nose. Easy light and, WOW, a full frontal attack of black pepper! It was a bit harsh, and that pepper dominated the entire cigar. About an inch into the smoke, the pepper settled down, and a very nice sweet tobacco flavor emerged. Not a sugar sweet, more of a caramel, creamy flavor – a very nice development that is lost on me with most RP’s. It left a lingering, long-lasting pepper aftertaste.

For the first half of the smoke, the burn was quite erratic. The cigar developed a 1/2” vertical split just below the burn line and it started to flare out. The wrapper began to roll up on itself as it started burning down the split. I expected to have a lot of problems, so I left both bands on, in hopes it would keep the wrapper from cracking anymore. Well, it worked! The cigar corrected itself. In time, I was able to take both bands off, and nub it to the end!

This cigar had a fantastic firm light gray ash. Even with all the burn problems, I knocked off the first and second ash at the 2” mark. Medium Flavor, Medium Strength, though it did gain in both body and strength toward the end. It got hot a few times during the 30+ minute smoke. I do believe this was operator error, as I was puffing frequently.

Verdict: I was a bit hesitant, as I’m not a huge RP fan. I do like the 90’s and the 92’s, but even grow tired of those in the larger vitolas. RP’s tend to be a little boring for me. This one was certainly not a one-dimensional cigar. I’m glad I tried it and will try another.

Similar Cigars: Hmmm. I’ll put this one up there with the RP 90’s and 92’s, though I’ll give this one the nod.

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Tags: Cigar Reviews, Cigars, Corojo, Indian Tabac, Rocky Patel