Rocky Patel Catch 22 Cigar
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
ATTENTION
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
About This Cigar from Cigars International
Hey slick, here's the catch.
If I told you that one of Rocky's releases was being sold for significantly less than the rest of his lineup, you'd probably ask, "What's the catch?" Exactly. Catch Twenty-Two is the latest to don a Rocky Patel band, and it could definitely be sold for more, and probably should be. That's the 'catch'. Clear as mud? Good. Now let's get down to business.
Catch Twenty-Two comes outfitted in a flavorful Corojo wrapper, which hugs a core of balanced Honduran and Mexican long-fillers. Medium-bodied and producing abundant notes of cocoa, earth, and spices, along with a hint of sweetness, Catch Twenty-Two is proof big results don't require a big price tag. I just wish my wife saw it the same way....
Shape: Toro, Double Corona, Gordo
Wrapper: Corojo
Origin: Honduras
Binder: Nicaraguan, Sumatra
Fillers: Dominican, Honduran, Mexican, Nicaraguan
Brand: Rocky Patel
ATTENTION
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Rocky Patel Catch 22 — His, Hers & The Good Life Experience
Introduction
Some cigars find you by reputation, some by recommendation… and some because the number "22" on the band just happens to be your favorite. That’s how the Rocky Patel Catch 22 Sixty landed in our humidor — a big, bold 6x60 Gordo that promised cocoa, earth, spice, and a whisper of sweetness. We lit up on our back porch with a pour of Mi Familia Flores Reserva Suprema Añejo Tequila, ready to see whether this oversized stick lived up to its lucky number.
His Take (Jeff)
On the nose, the Catch 22 opens earthy and rich — chocolate, leather, cocoa, cinnamon — the kind of aroma that makes you pause and appreciate it before even striking a match.
On the palate, this cigar steps away from our usual candied-sweet wrappers. Instead of sugary sweetness, it brings a creamy sweetness — a coating, buttery mouthfeel that settles in gently. There’s still a touch of sweetness, but it’s more like warm cream than candy. That buttery undertone is what stood out most for me.
As the cigar warmed up, the Mi Familia Flores Reserva Suprema Añejo Tequila I was sipping seemed to amplify that creaminess. The tequila’s spice and pepper notes pulled a little more spice out of the cigar, creating a balanced back-and-forth between buttery and spicy. This pairing felt intentional — like they were meant to sit together.
Her Take (Nancy Fae)
I’ll be honest — the first thing I thought when I picked up the Catch 22 Sixty was: this is a big cigar. A 6x60 Gordo is a lot of cigar for someone still learning to handle larger gauges. But the aroma was promising: earth, cocoa, and a little sweetness right off the wrapper.
Cutting the cap, I noticed some tobacco shreds falling onto my lap — a sign it might’ve been a bit dry. My draw confirmed it: tight, with little bits of wrapper coming through each pull. The flavor, though, was good — chocolate, baking spice, leather, and even a peanut note that surprised me.
The sweetness on the palate wasn’t candy-like; it was buttery. I didn’t identify it at first, but once Jeff described what he was getting, it clicked. That buttery note was there, just subtle.
The burn, however… was not subtle. Canoeing, tunneling, unraveling — the whole chaotic trifecta. By the second third, the burn issues and the tight draw had worn me down. I rarely stop a cigar early, but this one lost me before the final third.
Would I smoke it again? Yes — because we have three more. Would I buy it again? No. The first third was enjoyable, but the second third wasn’t for me.
The Pairing — His & Hers
Jeff: Mi Familia Flores Reserva Suprema Añejo is one of my favorite tequilas — the kind I share with good company, and the kind people take pictures of so they can hunt down a bottle later. Its creaminess and buttery undertones blended beautifully with the cigar, almost enhancing the buttery notes I was already getting.
Nancy Fae: On the nose, the tequila gave me strong fruity notes — grapes and apples — which I loved. The first sip had heat, but the fruit still came through. By the second sip, the heat mellowed and the fruit lingered. When paired with the cigar, the tequila made that buttery note silky, smoothing out the mouthfeel and elevating the pairing. Even with the cigar’s burn issues, the tequila made the experience better.
Joint Summary
The Rocky Patel Catch 22 Sixty is a mixed bag for us.
His experience leaned creamy, balanced, and pleasantly spiced — especially with the tequila.
Hers was more complicated: great aroma, good flavor, but construction issues and a tight draw that made the second third a struggle.
The pairing with Mi Familia Flores Reserva Suprema Añejo Tequila, though? A home run for both of us.
Catch 22 may not be a repeat purchase, but it gave us a memorable day on the porch — and sometimes that’s the real win.
ATTENTION
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Our Review of the Rocky Patel Catch 22 Sixty Cigar
Body — Medium; creamy sweetness with touches of spice
Flavor — Earth, cocoa, leather, cinnamon, peanuts, buttery sweetness
Construction — Inconsistent; tight draw, dryness, tunneling/canoeing issues on one stick
Overall — A flavorful first third with standout buttery notes, but construction variability held it back. Best enjoyed with a rich, fruity, slightly spicy tequila.
ATTENTION
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
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