Rocky Patel Premium Cigars
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Company is a manufacturer of cigars, founded by Rakesh "Rocky" Patel. The company is currently based in Naples, Florida.
History
Born in India on the 26th February 1961, Rakesh "Rocky" Patel introduced the Indian Tabac blend in the mid 1990s. Rakesh was originally a Hollywood attorney who represented several actors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gene Hackman. Patel was exposed to cigar smoking by spending time with the actors between takes. This led to an interest in the industry. He subsequently sold his legal practice[1] and spent five years in Honduras working and learning the cigar trade, including field and barn work.
In 2002, the company changed its name from Indian Tabac to Rocky Patel Premium Cigars.
In 2003 Rocky Patel launched the Vintage 1990 and Vintage 1992 cigars. The Vintage Series received "Best of the Best" accolades from the Robb Report. The Vintage 1990 Robusto was rated 92 by Cigar Aficionado, and the Vintage 1992 Torpedo was subsequently rated 90.
As of 2006 Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Company's annual sales exceeded $25 million. The company manufactured 16 million cigars in 2007.
In 2008 the Rocky Patel Decade cigar achieved a classic 95 rating in Cigar Aficionado. The Decade marked the 10th year of their business.
In 2011 Rocky Patel launched a new online store featuring a complete line of Rocky Patel lighters including the collectible, individually numbered Limited Edition Series.
Production
The company does not own any plantations or factories. All materials are purchased from growers and produced in factory space in El Paraíso, Honduras leased from Nestor Plasencia.[2]
Cigars
Cigars produced by the Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Company range from the inexpensive to the premium. In addition to Rocky Patel brands intended for retail, the company produces several private label cigars for retailers.
List of Rocky Patel Cigars
- Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
- Rocky Patel Vintage 1992
- Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 (Connecticut shade wrapper)
- Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 (Cameroon Wrapper)
- Rocky Patel Decade
- Rocky Patel ITC 10th Anniversary
- Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve
- Rocky Patel Fifteenth Anniversary
- Rocky Patel Sun Grown
- Rocky Patel HR 500
- Rocky Patel The Edge Maduro
- Rocky Patel The Edge Corojo
- Rocky Patel The Edge Sumatra (limited release)
- Rocky Patel The Edge Lite
- Rocky Patel Connecticut
- Rocky Patel R4
- Rocky Patel Burn
- Rocky Patel Patel Brothers
- Rocky Patel Summer Collection 2008
- Rocky Patel Autumn Collection 2008
- Rocky Patel Winter Collection 2008
- Rocky Patel Spring Collection 2009
- Rocky Patel Summer Collection 2009
- Rocky Patel Autumn Collection 2009
- Rocky Patel 1961 (introduced at 2009 IPCPR trade show)
- Rocky Patel Patel Brothers (introduced at 2009 IPCPR trade show)
- Rocky Patel TAA (tobacco association of America LTD)
- Rocky Patel Freedom
- Rocky Patel Fusion
- Rocky Patel Fusion MM
- Rocky Patel I-Press
- Rocky Patel AJ-Press
- Rocky Patel Signature
- Rocky Patel Gran Habano
- Rocky Patel Renaissance
- Rocky Patel Thunder by Nimish
- Rocky Patel Xen by Nish
- Rocky Patel Fifty
- Rocky Patel Patel Bros. Next Generation
- Cargo by Rocky Patel
- VigilantE by Rocky Patel
List of Rocky Patel Private Label Cigars
- Conuco
- Cruz Real
- Gold by Rocky Patel (a Thompson Cigars exclusive)
- Rocky Patel American Market Selection
- Rocky Patel Honduran Classic
- Rocky Patel Cuban Blend
- Rocky Patel Rosado
- Rocky Patel Fuma
- Vibe
- Vudu
- Reo
- Chicago Reserve Torpedo by Rocky Patel
- Nørding by Rocky Patel for [Eric Nørding Pipemaker]
- Rocky Patel Ocean Club (a Holts Cigar Company exclusive)
- Prodigy by Rocky Patel (a BestCigarPrices exclusive)
Cigar lounge
On November 6, 2010, Burn by Rocky Patel opened at the Mercato in Naples, FL.[3] The bar and lounge has a capacity of 300 people and features limited edition Burn cigars that were initially only available for sale there.
See also
References
- Cigar Aficionado interview with Rocky Patel
- Smoke magazine interview with Rocky Patel
- Keepers of the Flame short bio on Rocky Patel
- Little India profiles Rocky Patel in "Outsized Dreams"
External links
- Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Company Official Website
