RP San Andreas Vintage 2006 Robusto 2/18/18

 Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. Seams are well wrapped and are only visible upon close inspection. There is a nice oily sheen and a bit of tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The orange bands provide a great contrast against the dark wrapper.

Aroma
Earthy, chocolate, cedar and the presence of spice on the wrapper. Earth, cedar, chocolate, mild coffee and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Cedar, licorice, chocolate and spice.

1st
Initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth and chocolate. The next series of draws bring out the spice which seems to be a mix of black & red pepper. The draw is a tiny bit snug(so say my cheeks). The burn is wavy. There is a definite leathery texture to the smoke. The ash is medium gray and stacked. The smoke production is at the low end of medium. The flavor profile remains consistent through the end of the 1st/3rd.

2nd
The burn has fully self corrected. The draw has opened up nicely. The finish has notes of chocolate, cedar, earth, mild spice and a leathery texture. Strength is in the medium range. A very well balanced blend so far. Nearing the end of the 2nd/3rd and the black pepper is getting a little more bold.

Final/3rd
To start the final/3rd the red pepper gets more bold joining the black pepper for a nicely balanced spice combo. Midway the spice becomes more crushed red pepper with a pinch of black. Flavor profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall
The RP San Andreas Vintage 2006 Robusto provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. Once the draw opened up and the burn self corrected they were perfect the rest of the way. The balance was spot on.
Another fine cigar from Rocky Patel.
GoGetchasome™️!!