Rocky Patel cigars come from one of the most unusual stories in the trade. Their founder was a Hollywood lawyer with no family background in tobacco. He started small in the middle of the 1990s cigar boom and built one of the largest premium ranges on the market. This profile covers his story, the factories, the main lines and the house style.
From lawyer to cigar maker
Rakesh “Rocky” Patel was born in India and grew up in the United States. He worked as an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles. According to his biography, he grew interested in cigars while spending time with actors between takes.
In 1995 he left law and started a cigar company with a business partner, Phillip Zanghi. They called it Indian Tabac Cigar Co., a nod to the Indian Motorcycle name, for which they paid a licence fee. The timing helped, because demand for premium cigars was booming.
Rocky Patel Premium Cigars
Later the company moved to Naples, Florida, and changed its name to Rocky Patel Premium Cigars. The old Indian Tabac brand ended in 2014. Meanwhile, Rocky’s brother Nish Patel joined to run sales, and their cousin Nimish Desai took charge of production.
The company also opened a chain of lounges in the United States, called Burn by Rocky Patel. Today, Cigar Aficionado counts more than 100 lines in its range.
Factories in Honduras and Nicaragua
The box-pressed Vintage series comes from Danlí, Honduras, at a factory that once belonged to US Cigar Sales. Our guide to Honduran cigars explains Danlí’s role in the trade.
Then, in 2009, the company opened its own factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, called TaViCuSa (Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A.). That move gave it a base in the country with the fastest-growing cigar industry. For background, see our guide to Nicaraguan cigars. Some lines have also come from partner factories, including the Plasencia family’s, so the maker can vary by line.
Main lines of Rocky Patel cigars
The catalogue is very large, so here are the lines most smokers know.
| Line | Wrapper | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Vintage 1990 | Honduran broadleaf (dark) | Medium |
| Vintage 1992 | Ecuadorian Sumatra | Medium |
| Vintage 1999 | Connecticut | Mild |
| Decade | Ecuadorian Sumatra | Medium to full |
| The Edge | Corojo or maduro | Full |
| Sun Grown | Sun-grown leaf | Medium to full |
Vintage was the series that made the name. The year in each name is generally taken to mark the vintage of the wrapper leaf. Both the 1990 and 1992 are box-pressed and smooth, with cocoa, cedar and sweet spice.
Decade marked the company’s tenth year, and it earned a 95-point rating from Cigar Aficionado in 2008. By contrast, The Edge is a bold, peppery cigar for smokers who like strength.
House style
In general terms, Rocky Patel aims for smooth, approachable cigars with good balance. Many lines lean on aged wrapper leaves and a mix of Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican filler. As a result, the flavours tend to be rounded rather than sharp.
Consistency is a point of pride. Cigar Aficionado notes the brand’s reputation for steady construction, wrapper colour and flavour.
Strengths and criticisms
On the plus side, Rocky Patel cigars cover almost every taste and budget. The classic Vintage and Decade lines have a long record of good reviews. In addition, the company’s rise shows what an outsider can build in a family-run trade.
However, the size of the range draws criticism. With so many lines, some smokers find it hard to tell them apart. Others feel the newer releases chase trends. Finally, a lot of marketing surrounds the founder, which some traditional smokers dislike.
Rocky Patel in Malaysia
Rocky Patel is a niche name in Malaysia, with low local search interest. As with most non-Cuban brands, it tends to be harder to find locally than Habanos.
If you bring cigars home from abroad, read our guide to bringing cigars into Malaysia. Also keep any box away from air-con vents and damp corners, as our guide on how to store cigars explains. Above all, no cigar is safe, so see our page on cigar health risks.
Where to read more
- Honduran cigars: Danlí and the Jamastrán valley
- Plasencia: a family that has rolled for many brands
- Cigar brands: every profile in our directory
Frequently asked questions
Where are Rocky Patel cigars made?
Mainly in Danlí, Honduras, and Estelí, Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan factory, TaViCuSa (Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A.), opened in 2009. Some lines have also come from partner factories.
Who is Rocky Patel?
Rakesh ‘Rocky’ Patel is an Indian-born former entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles. He left law to start a cigar company in 1995 and still leads it with his brother Nish Patel.
Which Rocky Patel cigar is best known?
The Vintage 1990 and Vintage 1992 are the classics that made the brand. The Decade earned a 95-point Cigar Aficionado rating in 2008 and is also widely known.
Are Rocky Patel cigars strong?
It depends on the line. The Vintage 1999 Connecticut is mild, the Vintage 1990 and 1992 are medium, and The Edge is full. Our cigar strength guide explains the scale.
