Rocky Patel Grand Reserve Half Corona (Single Loose Cigar)

• Length: 89mm
• Gauge: 46
• Flavour: Medium to Full
• Origin: Nicaragua
• Cellophane Wrapped
• Humidor Advised

Rocky Patel Grand Reserve Half Corona

The Grand Reserve is an interesting Rocky Patel because we're not entirely sure what's in it.

Not through lack of trying, mind you. Rocky simply won't tell us.

Created specifically for markets outside the United States, the Grand Reserve uses a proprietary blend that Rocky Patel has kept deliberately under wraps. What is confirmed is that it is handmade in Nicaragua at TAVICUSA, Rocky Patel's factory in Estelí.

The secrecy hasn't done it much harm. The larger Grand Reserve Toro was named Cigar Journal's Cigar of the Year in 2018, establishing the blend as one of the standout members of Rocky Patel's international portfolio.

Now they've squeezed it into something considerably smaller.

The Half Corona measures just 3 1/2 inches by 46 ring gauge, roughly 88mm x 18.3mm. It's a chunky little cigar rather than a skinny cigarillo, and the 46 ring gauge gives the blender enough room to preserve the character of the Grand Reserve while cutting the smoking time down to around 20–30 minutes.

And there is plenty of character to preserve. The Grand Reserve is medium in strength, with a smooth, rounded profile built around cream, dried fruit and chocolate, followed by leather and subtle herbal notes. Other tasting descriptions bring in roasted nuts, coffee and a restrained sweetness.

It's a rather appealing combination for a short smoke. There is enough richness to make twenty-odd minutes interesting, yet it doesn't rely on brute strength to compensate for its dimensions.

The Grand Reserve Half Corona was introduced alongside Half Corona versions of the Vintage 1990 and Vintage Connecticut 1999, all ordinarily presented in handy five-cigar packs. Our listing here is for one single loose cigar.

The photographs also show just how handsome the Grand Reserve presentation is: dark brown wrapper, elaborate cream, gold and red band, and rather more decoration than you'd expect to fit around an 88mm cigar.

As for the secret tobacco recipe, I'm afraid I can't help.

After all, if Rocky Patel won't tell his distributor, I doubt he'll tell a tobacconist in Scarborough.