Rocky Patel Sixty Sixty 6x60

 

It's kind've weird how fast time passes.  It seems like just yesterday I held both of my kids as newborns, and yet, almost 17-years later, I'm blessed to have a son who is one credit short of graduating high school, but also engaged in college, taking classes so that he'll graduate and enter college as a sophomore.

My daughter is 13-years old, independent and strong willed, hanging out with mom and dad is basically the kiss of death, the ultimate of punishment.  And so it was, we found ourselves, my wife and I, alone, on a date night, out for a drink, me a cigar.

Our daughter had a party at church she was excited to attend, our son at home tending to his aquarium, and my wife and I, enjoying a spectacular evening on the square in Murfreesboro.  The Humidor and Liquid Smoke are neighbors, I suspect owned by the same folks, their outdoor seating area typically cordoned off with some decorative chain and posts to hold it up, this evening however, just the chairs and tables.

And my bride of twenty one years.  Can you believe it's been that long?  My son is driving, he doesn't have the same needs of us as he used to, and I already told you my daughter is pretty independent, meaning it was just the two of us.

My wife commented to me that she was really enjoying "dating" me again, I echo that sentiment.  The shopkeeper at The Humidor offered a perfect V-Cut for the RP Sixty Sixty, I was excited to try this cigar as I had read good things.

The box pressed shape lent itself well to the cut, and while slowly toasting the tip, I reflected on how much life had already passed under my feet.  Drawing that first puff of smoke, the dry leathery flavor on the tongue was a perfect match for the pear cider I was sipping on.  In the interest of full disclosure, I don't enjoy beer, I've tried enough types throughout the years to arrive at that conclusion, so I tend to drink on the lighter fruitier side of things, that typically being a cider.

As we sat and enjoyed the weather and each others company, the cigar settled into a nice, really even burn.  It held its ash far longer than expected, that lending to a cooler burn, and with it, fuller flavors.  That initial leathery dryness on the front end had blossomed into a full blown "big" bold cigar.  The dryness coupled with the dryness of the cider made me a bit thirstier than I should have been, but that aromas both from the cigar, as well as the nutty overtones created a really good experience.

As my drink was finished, I went with a far sweeter cider, it better complimenting the dry flavors coming from the RP.  Picking up on the rich leather, a taste that just got stronger the deeper I got into the stick, I thought to myself how well the cigar would hold up against a steak or perhaps fajitas.

Sadly, although the RP offered up the better part of an hours worth of enjoyment, it signaled it was reaching the end of what it had to offer, and after a final few draws I placed it into the ashtray and allowed it to extinguish itself in dignity.

Looking back at the evening, obviously I would take any and every opportunity to go out with my wife and enjoy her company.  The enjoyment of a cigar only served to enhance that experience.  Would I choose the RP again, probably not.  It was good, perhaps even great - but it was pricey, more that I would normally spend on a cigar - but it was a special night.

Should you smoke the RP Sixty Sixty, obviously that's up to you, but like all good things in life, we know for a fact that a cigar serves to enhance our experiences, and if a big bold cigar is what you are in the mood for, I'd argue in support of the RP.

More than that however, taking time to spend time with the ones you love is important, because as I stated at the beginning, before you know it, just like me, time will have passed.  Thankfully, a lot of those memories I get to share and remember include a cigar, and just like the RP will serve as a memory of a date with my wife, so to, should a cigar be part of your lifelong memories.

Until we smoke again...