Summer is quickly ending. This means very few moments sit outdoors, get the guys together, pour a glass of something stiff, and smoke a cigar well into the evening. As we prepare to say goodbye to warmer weather, it’s only right to celebrate these long summer days with the @rockypatelcigar SunGrown Maduro. This cigar has received critical acclaim since its release. The #SunGrown is a pure Nicaraguan cigar through and through.
The box pressed cigar has a warm, punchy aroma with hints of mocha and pepper. Upfront, the notes of dry earthiness and bright spice are delivered in a rich, creamy presentation. The black pepper settles right on the tip of your tongue and is even more evident in the retrohale. The ash is sturdy well into the start of the second 3rd.
The aroma and inhale matures and become quite floral; not in a flowery way but more so a bouquet of spices….anise, allspice, nutmeg, etc. This is a bright point during the smoking experience. The combination of spicy floral notes with the punchy pepper that is surrounded by the oily dark wrapper with molasses-like sweetness makes this cigar stand heads and shoulders above a lot of cigars. Recently my cigar reviews have been smokes that play the entire field when it comes to flavors. It’s great to sit down with a stick that has mastered a unique profile and is consistent throughout.
The cigar remains just as bold and flavorful as the second 3rd. There’s a pinch of salt on the finish of this cigar. It is a nice perk to the flavor that remains on the palate. I stated that the cigar doesn’t randomly roam giving off various unexpected flavors but what it does do is deliver the mentioned flavors distinctively, yet at different strengths. The black pepper is always there, but at times the creamy molasses-like sweetness is more noticeable. All in all, this is an excellent medium to full cigar. I can’t think of a situation where this cigar inappropriate….early morning, after dinner late night, paired with South African red wine or with a smooth light scotch. Let me know what you think of this cigar in the comments.
