Zen by Nish Patel
Thursday, August 11th, 2011“Re-think Connecticut.” That’s the tag line for this cigar. It is a Rocky Patel brand, but blended Nish. Patrick V and Nish hooked me up with a couple samples before they were released at this years IPCPR show. For the record, these will be banded. My samples did not have a band as you see below. Otherwise, what I am reviewing is the same product. For those of you asking “Who is Nish Patel?” He is Rocky’s brother, and Executive Vice President of Rocky Patel cigars. He helps oversee operations, and travels quite a bit for events.
I paired with water and here is my review of the Zen by Nish Patel.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Secret
Size: 5 x 50
Price: $6.25
Pre-Smoke & Construction:
The tan wrapper looked nice, and had a few small to medium sized veins. No flaws were seen on this boxed pressed cigar. I had a hard time detecting any smell off of the wrapper or foot. Perhaps a mild cedar. The cigar was solidly and evenly packed, and the draw had a little resistance. The pre-light draw had almost no flavor – Maybe a mild earthiness with cedar.
The ash held for around 1.5 inches. The burn required no corrections.
Flavor:
The first third opened up with a smooth earthiness. Shortly after, cedar joining in and overtook the earthiness. Within the first inch, coffee introduced itself. When passing smoke through the sinus, there was a nice, somewhat sweet spice with a little kick. The smoke feel was smooth throughout.
The second third: Coffee and cedar remained dominant, but mixed evenly. Earthy notes would occasionally appear way in the background. At times I would get that smooth, creamy, nutty “Typical Connecticut” flavor profile. Otherwise the smoke feel was fairly dry and crisp. Passing through the nose, the spice remained and kept it’s zing. The sweet spice lingered on the lips and left a slight tingle. As I continued to smoke past the half way point, a nutty component joined in.
The last third kept pace with the second third, for the most part. The sweet spice increased slightly, and it left that sweet cinnamony tingle on the lips and tongue that I mentioned before. A smooth, almost creamy sweetness enveloped the flavor profile. The core flavors of coffee and cedar didn’t change. The nutty component was there too. Where it fit in the flavor profile I am not sure. Everything just melded together nicely and it was a challenge to pay attention and not just enjoy the smoke.
Conclusion:
It is rare that a review for a Connecticut wrapped cigar end up so wordy. A typical flavor profile for that kind of cigar is straight forward and easy. The Zen is obviously an exception. I think the tag ling fits the product. Also, upon checking Rocky Patel’s website, I found the description to be accurate as well. Hype aside, this was a good medium bodied, slow burning cigar. I could see this pairing nicely with coffee or a variety of beverages in the morning or afternoon. Definitely worth a try.
Now, much like the rest of you, I love shopping for cigars. While the women of our species can spend skads of hours roaming through malls and shopping in one clothes store after another, (insisting that they can’t find a thing to buy), we cigar lovers will have little problem finding a multitude of goodies to purchase in no time at all. Put me in a big room full of premium-aged sticks – I’ll peruse through the shelves pinching and sniffing along the way – and be assured I’ll hit the register with an eclectic selection of long-filler goodness, from several countries that hover around the equator.
The rush one gets from going through various brands of cigars is such a high, and completely unexplainable to those who don’t smoke – especially the wife. (Let’s take for instance, a few of my present faves, the 
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I can personally attest to the fact that when it’s comes to cigars and good times, NOBODY does it like JR, and I wouldn’t miss this for the world! Yeah, that’s right, the Zman will be there, devouring the food, pounding the premium smokes, and meetin’ and greetin’ cuz I am a gregarious herfing maniac! And I hear that even my good pal, Mr. Steve Nathan will show his face and maybe he might even smile for everyone. Aye Carumba, this is gonna be a blast!
