These past couple of months we reviewed the Rock A Feller, Vintage Nicaraguan blends, from Kevin Schweitzer and his Vintage Rock A Feller Cigar Group (VRCG). Now we would like to introduce you to Kevin’s latest creation, the Rock A Feller Gold Series. The new blend will be available at this years IPCPR in Las Vegas, but I was lucky enough to get my hands on a pre-release of the cigar and VRCG may have struck gold with this blend. If you are attending the IPCPR you should definitely visit the VRCG booth to check out this cigar!
The Rock A Feller Gold Series blend is described as:
- Wrapper – San Andres
- Binder – Ecuador
- Filler
- Pennsylvania Broadleaf
- Nicaraguan Ometepe
- Nicaraguan Estelí
The Rock A Feller Gold Series will be available in a single limited edition vitola, a 6 x 52 box pressed toro and will come packaged in 10-count boxes. Kevin Schweitzer told Stogie Press that the company will be limiting production to about 500 boxes and have set an MSRP of $12.99/cigar. He also noted, they have continued with American Caribbean Tobacco S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua, to manufacture the Gold Series. The only difference is that the leaf will be sourced from a different farm and will be aged longer than the Vintage Nicaragua blends.
According to Kevin, the company has planned a soft launch starting May 1st for select retailers.
Pre-Light Examination
The Rock A Feller Gold Series cigar is a rich dark brown and smooth box pressed cigar that is light on veins. It has what I would describe as a pool table felt texture to the wrapper. Looking at the foot you will notice a touch of reddish-brown leaf in the mix. It is finished with a well applied cap. The band on the Gold Series is new for the company and according to the trademark that was just granted on April 20, 2017:
The mark consists of a black background oval on which appears the words ROCK-A-FELLER in white, which appear over a crown design in white which is over a stylized white R within a gold circle which appears over the words GOLD SERIES in gold. The black oval is outlined in a gold circle design and gold and white ornate designs appear on the right and left sides of the oval.
The pre-light aroma offers notes of sweet earth and hay that is pleasant to the nose. Once the cap is sliced, the draw is gently restricted with notes of fruit, pepper, and earth. I really liked how the pepper evolved on the lips and the fruit enticed the tongue. A nice little flavor tango going on there. I am not sure if I should fire it up or just savor the flavors for some more.
For this review I sampled the Rock A Feller Gold Series 6 x 52 Toro
Cigar Review Notes
- The Rock A Feller Gold Series takes to the flame like a champ,with a smooth lightly peppered smoke to start
- There are hints of wood and nut in the aroma
- Sweetness adds to the early pleasure
- Pristine burn white ash
- Lightly salted butter enters after a half-inch
- Creamy medium volume of smoke
- Ash fell after an inch
- Cream and a hint of spice enters
- Incredibly smooth smoke
- Tangy black cherry coming in half way
- Well oiled wrapper
- Nutty aroma
- Touch of pepper enticing the nasal
- Cherry builds toward the band
- Pristine burn so far
- Strength is moving up the scale nicely
- Mouth watering flavors, no dryness or astringent notes in this cigar
- Cedar enters at the end of the second third with a re-entry of buttery spice
- Pepper is still working the nasal
- Maple syrup aroma in the final – what a delight!
- Medium to Full Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Overall, the Rock A Feller Gold Series is most definitely an excellent addition to the VRCG lineup. The burn was spot on and the kaleidoscope of flavors pleased the palate from the foot to the nub. This is a must try, for all cigar enthusiasts. I paired this with a glass of seltzer water to keep the palate clean during the sampling, but if I were to pair this with a beverage, I feel a Highland Malt would do the trick or even a full body red wine. Enjoy this cigar after a big dinner.
Rock A Feller Gold Series