Combining two of Sam Leccia's best blending concepts, Cain Nub features the exciting, full-bodied Cain blend in a special line of Nub sizes, creating one of the richest, full-bodied and well-balanced cigars on the market.

The Oliva family, in conjunction with Sam Leccia, developed the ever-popular Nub brand based on sizes created to capture what they call the "essence" of the blend. After months of blending, they realized each cigar offers a "sweet spot" where the cigar's flavor and body come together in perfect balance, and they were able to create the Nub brand, which incorporates this "sweet spot" throughout the entire course of the smoke. Sam Leccia went on to develop Cain, using a special blend of "straight-ligero" tobaccos to create a well-balanced yet completely spicy, full-bodied and full-tilt cigar. Sam and the Oliva family have now combined these two winning concepts together, creating the ultimate cigar experience.

Cain Nub comes wrapped in your choice of Habano or maduro leaves and each feature 100% Nicaraguan straight-ligero long leaves as filler. A zesty Nicaraguan binder completes the blend as it comes produced in Nub's most popular and requested sizes. The result is a full-bodied, complex cigar that maintains a smooth character from the start. The blend builds in strength from head to foot without ever become overwhelming. Like Nub, Cain Nub sizes although short, will burn for at least an hour or more so enjoy these beauties slowly; take your time with them and allow the tobaccos to combust together for an excellent, full-flavored experience.

Q: What exactly is a water pillow?

A: Water pillows are small devices used to regulate humidity. They usually come in the form small pouches and once soaked in distilled water, create and release 70% humidity through diffusion. They also absorb extra moisture as well. For this reason, water pillows are a common form of humidification used widely across the cigar industry. To be specific, the inside has polysodium acrylate, which is a super absorbent compound that comes in the form of a powder. When soaked in water, the compound turns into a gel-like substance and expands, forming a "pillow." This compound then slowly dries out over the course of 30 days, at which point it can be reactivated or thrown out.

As the first brand ever produced in Nicaragua, Joya de Nicaragua is a true piece of cigar history. 10 years after the release of their famous Antano line, the makers of Joya de Nicaragua produced Dark Corojo, a full-bodied Antano that produces a richer character with a semi-sweet finish.

Antano Dark Corojo sports an oily, toothy and an extra-fermented Corojo wrapper that gives it an incredibly dark appearance. Inside you'll find a blend of premium Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos, all aged at least 3 years to create a smooth, creamy balance. Due to the wrapper's extra-fermentation, this potent Joya offers a semi-sweet finish, which is a departure from the original Antano blend. A fantastic after-dinner blend.

Poderoso (6"x54) This torpedo is super smooth yet maintains that robust character you're searching for when picking up an Antano. You'll get ample notes of spice and pepper but a semi-sweet finish leaves your palate feeling crisp. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Azarosa (4.5"x52) Recommended for those trying this blend for the first time. Spicy and robust with a clean finish. Expect a true, even burn with an effortless draw as this stick gains complexity from head to foot. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Pesadilla (4.7"x60) This thick perfecto creates a ton of complexity from the start with semi-sweet nuances throughout that intermingle with earthy, cedar-like flavors as the cigar burns. The second half of this beast is potent, strong and super full, which keeps your interest. Not balanced. 87/100 [Buy Now]

El Martillo (5.5"x54) The compliment to the Azarosa size, El Martillo is bold. While Azarosa creates a great balanced between spice, pepper and sweetness, El Martillo focuses on strength and a hearty character. Recommended for those who enjoy thick, full-bodied, full-tilt robustos. Offers a smooth finish. 87/100 [Buy Now]

Peligroso (5"x44) A firecracker to say the least. If you prefer a plethora of spice and pepper up front with no relief, this is your stick. Lost points due to a tight draw and it burns slightly hot, especially the last 3 inches. 86/100 [Buy Now]

Blue Label B2 - Looking for a stunning, premium long-leaf cigar that burns and tastes as great as a super premium at an impossibly reasonable price?

Cain Nub by Oliva - Combining two of Sam Leccia's best blending concepts, Cain Nub features the exciting, full-bodied Cain blend in a special line of Nub sizes, creating one of the richest, fullest offerings on the market.

Double Happiness - Ladies and Gentlemen, we are very pleased to announce a concept the likes of which the cigar industry has never seen. In fact, this innovative new size is so cutting edge that its designers are having it patented!

Avo Limited Edition '10 - As the absolute strongest, most robust cigar in the line up, Avo Limited Edition '10 comes in a special 5.5"x55 vitola and features a hearty Mexican Sumatra-seed binder that surrounds a strong blend of Dominican ligeros.

07/20/2010: Join Tim as he gets the low down on all things Drew Estate. Watch one of the best and most informative interviews with Jonathan Drew to date! Part 1 of 2. [Listen Now]

Cigar.com (CC): Rocky, a lot has changed with you since we last spoke. How are things going at Rocky Patel?

Rocky Patel (RP): I’ve been spending a lot of time fighting anti-cigar legislation in Washington. I highly suggest everyone joins the CRA!

CC: You recently expanded your operations into Nicaragua from Honduras. Tell us about the new factory and some of the blends you're making there.

RP: The new factory is off the hook! This truly boutique cigar factory is managed by my partner Amilcar, who is a trained Cuban roller. You'll notice all of our new cigars coming from this factory are all triple capped: a sure sign of traditional Cuban style cigars.

CC: Your 15th Anniversary is right around the corner and its rumored you have something special planned. What can you tell us about that?

RP: I really feel this is one of best cigars we've made. I think this new cigar series is going to give everything on the market a run for its money.

CC: Your Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 and Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 continue to be best sellers. Our customers often ask us about the vintage tobacco in that cigar. Can you elaborate on the materials and what you use?

RP: We use 14 to 16 year aged-to-date binders and fillers to make up the Vintage Series. Due to this elongated aging process, each Vintage cigar is as consistent as the last.

CC: Quality is always mentioned when refering to Rocky Patel. What are some of the measures in quality control you take that many of your competitors disregard?

RP: We limit our rollers to only producing 250 cigars per day. We could push the factory to roll more cigars, but refrain from such action as this assures a perfect and consistent cigar. Secondly, we run each cigar through a draw test machine. This ensures that each one of our cigars has a perfect draw.

CC: Speaking of quality, some of your brands are extremely limited in production to ensure they meet your standards. Rocky Patel Signature is among them. What is it about the tobaccos that make it such a limited and special cigar?

RP: The tobacco is triple fermented. This means we take the time necessary to age the tobacco properly. We use the highest priming Conecticut-shade leaves available. The Ecuadorian Connecticut-shade wrapper is creamy, buttery and smooth! Excellent.

CC: New wrappers from Pennsylvania and Ecuador are now increasingly popular. What's your opinion on these new leaves will you use them as well?

RP: Like an ancient explorer, cigar makers scour the world to find new tobacco to create unique flavor profiles. Incorporating these new leaves offers the consumer unique flavors previously unavailable in the cigar world. We currently use the Pennsylvania wrapper on Patel Brothers and Decade Limitada.

CC: When you guys work on a new blend, how many samples do you typically smoke before picking the perfect blend?

RP: We enjoy anywhere from 5 to 150, however many it takes.

CC: Your company has a tremendous knack for identifying trends in the market. How have you seen the taste preferences of enthusiasts change over the last five years?

RP: The new cigar consumer has a much more complex and educated palate. Elegant and well-balanced is what the consumer is looking for.

CC: Rocky, it was great seeing you again and thank you for taking the time to meet with me. Is there anything you would like to add before we wrap up?

RP: We are striving to be one of the best cigar companies in the world. We appreciate all the love and support we receive from you and your loyal customers each and everyday. Thank you!