Year of the Snake by Rocky Patel - Cigar Review 2025

Made exclusively at Rocky Patel’s acclaimed TAVICUSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Year of the Snake is presented in a luxurious toro format and was officially launched at the 2025 PCA Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans. A distinctive international version has already debuted in Germany, featuring a unique Oscuro wrapper. While the blend varies slightly by market, both expressions promise a decadent smoking experience rooted in the bold character and complexity of Nicaraguan tobacco.

This cigar is constructed with meticulous attention to detail—dense, oily wrappers conceal a precisely packed core of aged filler leaves. The broadleaf binder contributes body and structure, while the dual-country filler blend brings layered complexity. The result is a slow-burning, perfectly balanced smoke with a razor-sharp burn and sturdy ash.

Wrapper: U.S.: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Broadleaf
Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos