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Review: Rocky Patel II-XXVI Robusto

Back in May 2011, I had the chance to talk with Rocky Patel during an event in Phoenix, when his new factory in Nicaragua, Tabacalera Villa Cuba, S.A.—TAVICUSA for short—was still in its relative infancy. He was excited about the cigars that would be coming out of the factory, as they would be the higher-end [...]

News: 601 & Murcielago Production Move to Two New Factories

It’s been three months since Erik Espinosa took control of the 601 and Murcielago brands after the dissolution of EO Brands, and he’s now confirmed to halfwheel that the popular 601 and Murcielago brands will now be made at his La Zona Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, as well as Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A. (TAVICUSA), the [...]

Review: Rocky Patel HR 500

The Rocky Patel HR 500 was another one of the multitude of cigars that Rocky Patel showcased at IPCPR 2012. The cigar was created to commemorate noted cigar smoker Gary Sheffield hitting over 500 home runs during his career. Rocky Patel announced the cigar with a press release in late July: July 23, 2012 (Bonita [...]

Review: Rocky Patel The Edge Habano Toro (Prerelease)

At the IPCPR show at the beginning of August, Rocky Patel showed off seven new cigars that will be released on various dates before the end of the year. One of the releases is a new version of the extremely popular The Edge line, The Edge Habano. It is also the first Nicaraguan puro in The [...]

Review: Rocky Patel Private Cellar Robusto (Prerelease)

A flurry of press releases about Rocky Patel’s new lines came out just prior to the IPCPR convention and trade show in Orlando, among which was news of a brand new line called the Private Cellar. “Private Cellar is a personal favorite – a blend that I have been working on and aging for a number of [...]

Review: Rocky Patel Fifty Torpedo

At the IPCPR show in 2011, Rocky Patel showed off his most expensive cigar to date, the Rocky Patel Fifty. Produced to commemorate his fiftieth birthday, the Fiftys are rolled in Rocky’s new factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A., better known as TAVICUSA. The tobacco used in the Fifty release have been aged over eight [...]