Rocky Patel Mulligans Eagle Reserve Staff Review
Today I’m smoking a 6-by-50 Toro, called the Slice, in the Rocky Patel Mulligans collection, Rocky Patel’s esteemed golf-themed franchise. Since Rocky obsessively blends so many darn good cigars that never see the light of day, the ‘RP’ Mulligans brand was conceived as a convenient way to unload dozens of would-be Rocky-branded premiums at outlet-mall prices. After a gluttonous quantity of Rocky’s hottest and newest cigars have been assembled, branded, and banded, they depart his cigar-making laboratory for the Holt’s warehouse where they’re directly dispersed into coolerdors across the country. We’ve sold about a bazillion Mulligans so far.
Because I’m a devout curmudgeon who’s dialed into the absolute best cigars you can buy at the absolute cheapest prices around the clock, I’ve reviewed more than a few ‘RP’ Mulligans cigars in the past, including Masters Collection, Caddy’s Choice, and Calcutta. Legions of my most fervent supporters compare me to Moses, parting the Red Sea for penny-pinchers sojourning to the Promised Land, when I point out the best aisles in our palatial humidor where you can procure fine cigars for a complete steal. Towering stacks of ‘RP’ Mulligans bundles provide a frequent stop on the premises when I’m giving tours to parades of likeminded tightwads.
The Eagle Reserve blend never fails to catch my eye. Gorgeous bundles beam from an upper shelf with their deep-red bands and enticing, dark, and oily San Andrés Maduro wrappers. Premium long-filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua complete the Eagle Reserve recipe in five popular sizes. The second I extract a glimmering Slice from the middle of a freshly opened batch and slip the cellophane off, sweet and spicy notes of dark chocolate and pepper prime the palate with hints of mesquite in the cold draw. Every time I prepare to fire up an Eagle Reserve, my mouth waters just like the first time I smoked one.
There is no shortage of top-rated Rocky Patel cigars to sample today, but the big advantage you get with a Mulligans cigar is the price. ‘RP’ Mulligans Eagle Reserve cigars start around a paltry three bucks apiece – an unbelievable threshold for a premium long-filler smoke with scores of glowing customer reviews backing up its pedigree. Succulent notes of dark-roast Viennese coffee and leather coat the taste buds with an underlying current of cracked black peppercorn. Eagle Reserve uncannily mirrors the 95-rated Rocky Patel Decade in its initial flavor.
Ten minutes into smoking the Slice, a pristine white ash shows strong structure and comfortably insulates the foot without the worry it’s going to land in my lap prematurely. And, oh, the aroma that perfumes the area around my desk is sublime. Eagle Reserve pumps out a sweet, campfire-like bouquet in mesmerizing clouds of dense smoke. The peppery nuances of Eagle Reserve become less pronounced as the middle of the cigar settles into a straightforward profile of hickory, nutmeg, and espresso bean.
I sometimes wonder if Mulligans are above my sophistication level when it comes to their complexity and flavor, but I quickly rein in such blasphemous thoughts in consideration of the price of the cigars – an area of expertise I possess in spades. These handmades are cheap – under sixty bucks for a 20-count bundle – even though they taste expensive.
After about sixty minutes is off the clock, I’m dutifully savoring the nub of my ‘RP’ Mulligans Eagle Reserve Slice. An ornate finish of Mexican hot chocolate with hints of cardamom, cayenne, and allspice drives a satisfied smirk over my face as coworkers inquire if I’ve got another Mulligans to spare. Add a batch to your collection to get the same reaction from your pals – and tell ‘em Grant T. told you how good they are.
Until next time, long ashes to you!
