Met Rocky Patel Today -

RGD. · 05-15-2009, 06:16 PM

Rocky Patel was at the Olde Virginia Tobacco store in Kingstowne today. Friend and I stopped by to meet him.

As always he was very gracious and down to earth. Stayed several hours visiting and talking with him. While there he had a phone interview with Cigar Dave.

I did ask him what his go to smoke was. Either the Decade or the Sun Grown to start with. He likes full body smokes - so anything along those lines.

How many does he smoke a day? 5 to 7. Yesterday 18. When he on the farms - up to 30.

I also asked him about the difference in the original release of "The Edge" verse the current production. He said that they did tone it down a bit after the first production run. He felt it was a tad to strong.

It was great listening to him talk about the tobacco farms - and explaining how the seasonal rains, sun, etc affects the different crops. He said that all crops (for the different tobaccos) are planted the same, same place, same fertilizers, etc - but due to nature - they will come out with different tastes. Therefore he constantly has to tweak every blend to insure that it remains constant.

Funny story on the Decade box. He said he wanted something different but had a hard time describing to the box manufacturers (in Nicaragua) what he wanted, which was an old looking years weathered box. Said he took a box, tied to the back of his truck, drove it around dragging it on the street, hit with a few chains and rolled it in the mud and dirt. Gave it to the box people and said make them like this. They came back later and said - they could not do it. So the current box is made with the left over sawdust pressed.

And for you Winter Blend fans. There is no more at the moment - they sold them faster than ever expected. There is more in production. And - because it is so popluar - it's going to get it's own name/regular production. No name yet but he is leaning to either "1961" or "10th Anniversary". I didn't think to ask him why "1961".

Anyway - it was an enjoyable time. Nice small crowd with people coming and going. I smoked Spring Collection and he had a Sun Grown.

Picked up a box of the Decades which he signed for me. It came with a five pack of the ITC smokes and a free lighter (black or chrome, I choose the black one). And since my daughter is a fan of his Connecticut's - got a few smokes in a bag which he also signed to her. She thought that was way cool.

So - good enjoyable afternoon.

Got a picture together - but it's on a cell phone that didn't turn out so great.

Ron

King James · 05-15-2009, 06:20 PM

awesome, Ron

Sounds like a cool guy

elderboy02 · 05-15-2009, 06:21 PM

Awesome story about the Decade box!
Posted via Mobile Device

rharris · 05-15-2009, 06:21 PM

Cool! I've met him a few times and he has always been fun to talk to.I like the edge and the O.W.R as well as the decades.

Bax · 05-15-2009, 06:26 PM

...but the important question was did you ask him about the B&M vs. Internet stock debate

RGD. · 05-15-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripp

no wonder the first few Edges I had were great and the rest sucked!

I know. I basically told him that - just a bit more subtle -

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bax

...but the important question was did you ask him about the B&M vs. Internet stock debate

Naw - didn't want to ruin a good afternoon -

Ron

RGD. · 05-15-2009, 06:39 PM

And oh yeah - one guy (obviously a newb -

) asked him about the cello on or off deal.

His reply was: remove the cello after receiving them. He only puts them ( most of the blends) in cello to cut down on damage to them until you get them home.

I told him I keep them however they come - he said if you store in a cedar lined box/humidor to remove the cello.

So there ya go -

Ron

Tripp · 05-15-2009, 06:25 PM

no wonder the first few Edges I had were great and the rest sucked!

SmokinApe · 05-15-2009, 06:58 PM

Sounds like a great time!

05-15-2009, 07:09 PM

Wow, I'm a jealous man and I've not even tried an RP. It sounds like a great day was had, thanks for the thoughts

05-15-2009, 07:24 PM

That was awesome Ron. I didn't know about the tone down Edge, I thought it was just me getting use to them (LOL)

Adriftpanda · 05-15-2009, 08:51 PM

I was lucky enough to meet Rocky when I first started smoking. I was at an event which Rocky was hosting. Stand up guy.

lightning9191 · 05-15-2009, 09:05 PM

Good story! Where are the pics though???

Skywalker · 05-15-2009, 09:33 PM

Sounds like a fun time Ron!!!

shadow king · 05-15-2009, 10:13 PM

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing!

groogs · 05-15-2009, 10:35 PM

That is a cool, I met Rocky at the Big Smoke a few years back and he was a great guy. My tastes have grown away from his smokes, but he is certainly a great front man for his company.

68TriShield · 05-16-2009, 09:08 AM

I enjoyed hanging with him in Florida as well.

newcigarz · 05-18-2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

I enjoyed hanging with him in Florida as well.

I liked his Bentley

Mr.Maduro · 05-18-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newcigarz

I liked his Bentley

The other accessory he had with him was quite nice too...

troutbreath · 05-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Cool story! Thanks for sharing!

05-15-2009, 06:16 PM	#1
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Met Rocky Patel Today - Rocky Patel was at the Olde Virginia Tobacco store in Kingstowne today. Friend and I stopped by to meet him. As always he was very gracious and down to earth. Stayed several hours visiting and talking with him. While there he had a phone interview with Cigar Dave. I did ask him what his go to smoke was. Either the Decade or the Sun Grown to start with. He likes full body smokes - so anything along those lines. How many does he smoke a day? 5 to 7. Yesterday 18. When he on the farms - up to 30. I also asked him about the difference in the original release of "The Edge" verse the current production. He said that they did tone it down a bit after the first production run. He felt it was a tad to strong. It was great listening to him talk about the tobacco farms - and explaining how the seasonal rains, sun, etc affects the different crops. He said that all crops (for the different tobaccos) are planted the same, same place, same fertilizers, etc - but due to nature - they will come out with different tastes. Therefore he constantly has to tweak every blend to insure that it remains constant. Funny story on the Decade box. He said he wanted something different but had a hard time describing to the box manufacturers (in Nicaragua) what he wanted, which was an old looking years weathered box. Said he took a box, tied to the back of his truck, drove it around dragging it on the street, hit with a few chains and rolled it in the mud and dirt. Gave it to the box people and said make them like this. They came back later and said - they could not do it. So the current box is made with the left over sawdust pressed. And for you Winter Blend fans. There is no more at the moment - they sold them faster than ever expected. There is more in production. And - because it is so popluar - it's going to get it's own name/regular production. No name yet but he is leaning to either "1961" or "10th Anniversary". I didn't think to ask him why "1961". Anyway - it was an enjoyable time. Nice small crowd with people coming and going. I smoked Spring Collection and he had a Sun Grown. Picked up a box of the Decades which he signed for me. It came with a five pack of the ITC smokes and a free lighter (black or chrome, I choose the black one). And since my daughter is a fan of his Connecticut's - got a few smokes in a bag which he also signed to her. She thought that was way cool. So - good enjoyable afternoon. Got a picture together - but it's on a cell phone that didn't turn out so great. Ron

05-15-2009, 06:20 PM	#2
King James Regard Me! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jim Location: Dark Side Of The Moon Posts: 2,565 Trading: (2)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - awesome, Ron Sounds like a cool guy __________________ Mob Herfin' Since 2006

05-15-2009, 06:21 PM	#3
elderboy02 Lets Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12,498 Trading: (133)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Awesome story about the Decade box! Posted via Mobile Device

05-15-2009, 06:21 PM	#4
rharris Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Richard Location: Norwich N.Y. Posts: 281 Trading: (48)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Cool! I've met him a few times and he has always been fun to talk to.I like the edge and the O.W.R as well as the decades.

05-15-2009, 06:26 PM	#5
Bax C A P S...CAPS CAPS CAPS! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Ringgold,GA Posts: 2,173 Trading: (70)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - ...but the important question was did you ask him about the B&M vs. Internet stock debate __________________ I'm the most interesting man in the world... but only if you find stupid stuff really interesting.

05-15-2009, 06:39 PM	#7
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - And oh yeah - one guy (obviously a newb - ) asked him about the cello on or off deal. His reply was: remove the cello after receiving them. He only puts them ( most of the blends) in cello to cut down on damage to them until you get them home. I told him I keep them however they come - he said if you store in a cedar lined box/humidor to remove the cello. So there ya go - Ron

05-15-2009, 06:25 PM	#8
Tripp Pepin Ho of the NorthWest Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tripp Location: Portland, OR Posts: 487 Trading: (5)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - no wonder the first few Edges I had were great and the rest sucked! __________________ Make sure you visit the chat! Newcomers welcome. Pete_Johnson: Tripp get the ** out of here with that bull** Benchmade. C'mon Son!

05-15-2009, 06:58 PM	#9
SmokinApe Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeremy Posts: 1,267 Trading: (35)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Sounds like a great time!

05-15-2009, 07:09 PM	#10
dentonparrots Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Wow, I'm a jealous man and I've not even tried an RP. It sounds like a great day was had, thanks for the thoughts

05-15-2009, 07:24 PM	#11
m69c44 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - That was awesome Ron. I didn't know about the tone down Edge, I thought it was just me getting use to them (LOL)

05-15-2009, 08:51 PM	#12
Adriftpanda Peter's Daddy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Huy Location: No one wants me Posts: 10,306 Trading: (74)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - I was lucky enough to meet Rocky when I first started smoking. I was at an event which Rocky was hosting. Stand up guy.

05-15-2009, 09:05 PM	#13
lightning9191 I think I'm normal... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin Posts: 1,007 Trading: (8)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Good story! Where are the pics though??? __________________ I eat gummy bears by tearing them limb from limb and eating their heads last.

05-15-2009, 09:33 PM	#14
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Sounds like a fun time Ron!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

05-15-2009, 10:13 PM	#15
shadow king Fresh outta Ad Seg Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Matt Location: Last house on the left Posts: 466 Trading: (19)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Great stuff. Thanks for sharing!

05-15-2009, 10:35 PM	#16
groogs Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Grant Posts: 1,945 Trading: (62)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - That is a cool, I met Rocky at the Big Smoke a few years back and he was a great guy. My tastes have grown away from his smokes, but he is certainly a great front man for his company.

05-16-2009, 09:08 AM	#17
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,184 Trading: (40)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - I enjoyed hanging with him in Florida as well.

05-16-2009, 10:05 AM	#20
troutbreath Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: The Dash, NC Posts: 706 Trading: (0)	Re: Met Rocky Patel Today - Cool story! Thanks for sharing!