The Rocky Patel Fifty Torpedo cigar is the crowning achievement of the Rocky Patel portfolio. Brought out as a short run cigar to celebrate Rocky's Fiftieth birthday, this high-end stick effortlessly made Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 of 2012. Handmade in Nicaragua, the Fifty boasts an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper leaf and a secret blend of filler and binder tobacco. The end result is a silky smooth premium smoking experience that's sure to please any connoisseur.

The double-banded, heavily box-pressed cigar is dark and oily, covered with thin veins. Expert construction with an easy draw. The immediate flavor profile is toasty and nutty, soon mixed with a very pronounced note of wood. The strength is medium-to-full and there's a fairly heavy amount of pepper and spice on the back of the throat. A long and lingering spicy finish follows. Intense, yet balanced and enjoyable.

This top-notch stick is a great choice for any experienced smoker with a well-developed palate that wants something out of the ordinary. It is most definitely a connoisseur-level cigar and not something for beginners. Bourbon and coffee pair nicely with the Rocky Patel Fifty, and it makes a terrific special occasion or Friday night smoke. The Fifty is very limited—2000 boxes by size. Similar cigars might be the Rocky Patel Decade or the Padron 1964. This is most definitely a must-try for any serious aficionado and a centerpiece in the Rocky Patel collection.