Note: For adults only. Tobacco products carry health risks.
Introduction – if both use San Andrés and both are aged for two years, why are they so different?
At first glance, Rocky Patel SIXTY and A.L.R. Second Edition seem remarkably similar.
Both are made in Nicaragua.
Both use a San Andrés wrapper.
Both have an important story built around approximately two years of aging after rolling.
Both are available in the same three core vitolas:
Robusto 5½ × 50Toro 6½ × 52Sixty 6 × 60
They even occupy similarly prestigious positions within the Rocky Patel portfolio.
It would be easy to assume that these are simply two versions of the same concept.
They are not.
SIXTY is positioned in the Medium range and combines a San Andrés wrapper with a Nicaraguan core. Its identity is strongly connected to extended post-roll maturation and Rocky Patel’s 60th birthday concept.
A.L.R. Second Edition moves into Medium-Full territory. Its name means:
Aged. Limited. Rare.
The blend was designed around deliberate aging before release, and the internal recipe is intentionally kept undisclosed.
So the real question is not:
“Which one has more aging?”
The better question is:
“How can two cigars using similar concepts of time and the same wrapper family produce such different smoking experiences?”
That is where the comparison becomes interesting.
1. SIXTY – a cigar built around the 60th birthday concept
SIXTY was developed as an anniversary project connected to Rocky Patel’s 60th birthday.
That concept matters because the cigar’s story revolves around maturity.
Not simply the age of the founder.
The maturity of the tobacco and the finished cigar as well.
After rolling, SIXTY is given extended time to rest before release.
This introduces an important distinction.
There are at least two different forms of “time” involved in premium cigar production:
the time individual leaves spend in curing, fermentation and aging;
the time the finished cigar spends resting after rolling.
The second is often underestimated.
Once wrapper, binder and filler are brought together, the finished cigar can require additional time for its components to integrate.
SIXTY is a very useful example of post-roll maturation.
2. A.L.R. – the philosophy is already inside the name
A.L.R. stands for:
Aged. Limited. Rare.
This is not simply decorative branding.
The line was intentionally developed around limited production and significant aging before release.
The core idea is that time should not merely happen in the background.
It should become part of the identity of the cigar.
If SIXTY says:
“This anniversary blend has been given substantial time to integrate,”
A.L.R. says:
“Aging is so central to this cigar that it belongs in the name.”
That philosophical difference is important.
SIXTY uses aging as part of an anniversary expression.
A.L.R. uses aging as one of the principal reasons the product exists.
3. Their first major similarity: San Andrés
Both cigars use a San Andrés wrapper.
That gives us a particularly clean comparison.
We are not comparing:
Connecticut vs Maduro,
or:
Corojo vs Broadleaf.
We begin with an important external variable held relatively constant.
This teaches a fundamental lesson:
The same wrapper family does not create the same cigar.
Even when two cigars share San Andrés, the internal blend can completely reshape:
strength;
body;
sweetness;
spice;
texture;
combustion;
finish.
San Andrés is the common starting point.
It is not the final answer.
4. What do we know about the SIXTY blend?
SIXTY can be understood in relatively clear structural terms:
Origin: NicaraguaWrapper: San AndrésBinder: NicaraguaFiller: NicaraguaStrength: MediumPost-roll aging: extended maturation before release
This creates a relatively focused architecture.
Mexican San Andrés outside.
Nicaraguan tobacco underneath.
That allows SIXTY to be viewed as:
San Andrés wrapped around a Nicaraguan core that receives extended rest after rolling.
The structure looks straightforward on paper.
But a straightforward composition does not mean a simple flavor experience.
5. What do we know – and not know – about A.L.R.?
A.L.R. Second Edition gives us a different situation.
We know several important things:
it is made in Nicaragua;
it uses San Andrés wrapper;
it is positioned as Medium-Full;
aging before release is central to the project;
it is offered in Robusto, Toro and Sixty;
it was conceived as a limited production project.
But the internal blend is intentionally not fully disclosed.
That matters editorially.
We should not fill in the missing information with assumptions.
We do not need to invent the binder.
We do not need to invent the filler.
Instead, we can analyze what is actually known:
San Andrés + Nicaragua + Medium-Full + aging + box-pressed construction.
The rest remains where the producer intended it to remain:
secret.
6. A.L.R. Second Edition and box-pressed construction
One additional difference is construction.
A.L.R. Second Edition is known for its box-pressed form.
Box pressing takes a traditionally cylindrical cigar and gives it a more squared or rectangular profile.
For the smoker, the most obvious effects are:
different feel in the hand;
different feel between the lips;
greater stability when set down;
a distinct tactile identity.
Some smokers may also perceive draw and combustion differently depending on how the cigar is constructed.
But one oversimplification should be avoided:
“Box-pressed means more flavor.”
Not necessarily.
Box pressing is a construction choice.
It is not an automatic quality or intensity upgrade.
7. Medium vs Medium-Full – the most immediate difference
The simplest official distinction is strength positioning.
SIXTY
Medium
A.L.R. Second Edition
Medium-Full
This matters.
But it should not be interpreted as:
SIXTY = weak.
A.L.R. = strong.
A better way is to think of a progression.
SIXTY sits in a zone where an intermediate smoker can explore a rich San Andrés profile without making nicotine strength the central feature of the session.
A.L.R. moves one step higher.
For a smoker who is sensitive to nicotine impact, that difference may meaningfully affect which cigar should be tasted first.
8. The logical tasting order: SIXTY → A.L.R.
If you are tasting these lines for the first time, a useful sequence is:
SIXTY first.
Then:
A.L.R. Second Edition.
Why?
Because you move:
Medium → Medium-Full.
This makes it easier to notice what A.L.R. adds.
If you begin with the more intense blend and immediately move backward, some of SIXTY’s subtler qualities may be harder to perceive.
Still, do not smoke them back-to-back.
Ideally use:
the same vitola;
similar storage conditions;
the same neutral drink;
separate days.
This creates a much cleaner comparison.
9. Robusto vs Robusto – the ideal starting point
This is one of the greatest advantages of the pair.
SIXTY Robusto:
5½ × 50
A.L.R. Second Edition Robusto:
5½ × 50
The nominal dimensions match.
That allows us to control several variables:
length;
ring gauge;
producer;
wrapper family;
Nicaraguan production;
extended aging concept.
What remains highly interesting is:
blend + construction + strength.
For a serious comparison, this is probably the best starting point.
10. Toro vs Toro – more time to observe transitions
Both are also available in:
Toro 6½ × 52
Toro provides a longer session and therefore more time to study development.
Divide the experience into:
First third
Basic identity.
Second third
Transitions and new layers.
Final third
Concentration and increasing intensity.
Record separately:
sweetness;
pepper;
earth;
coffee;
cocoa;
creaminess;
body;
strength;
finish.
Toro can reveal not just how the cigars begin, but how differently they develop.
11. Sixty vs Sixty – the name SIXTY does not automatically make it superior in 6 × 60
SIXTY naturally offers a Sixty vitola.
But so does A.L.R. Second Edition.
Both can therefore be compared in:
6 × 60.
There is an easy mistake to make here:
“SIXTY must be most authentic in the Sixty size.”
Not necessarily.
SIXTY also exists in Robusto and Toro.
The line name comes from the anniversary concept, not from a requirement to smoke only the 6 × 60.
That gives the enthusiast freedom to study the blend through several geometries.
12. Aging and fermentation are not the same thing
This comparison is a good opportunity to correct another common misunderstanding.
Fermentation and aging are not the same process.
Fermentation is part of transforming tobacco leaf chemically and reducing undesirable compounds.
Aging is a slower period of development and integration.
When discussing the long resting period of SIXTY and A.L.R., we are talking about finished cigars resting after rolling, not the original fermentation of raw tobacco leaves.
That distinction is essential.
A cigar can contain properly fermented tobacco and still benefit from additional rest after construction.
13. What can post-roll aging actually do?
Once the cigar is rolled, wrapper, binder and filler each bring their own characteristics into one structure.
Time can allow those elements to become better integrated.
In sensory terms, you might look for:
smoother transitions;
less aggressive spice;
better-integrated sweetness;
a more coherent finish;
fewer rough edges;
more unified texture.
This does not mean every aged cigar automatically improves.
But SIXTY and A.L.R. are both built around the idea that extended rest after rolling matters.
14. SIXTY – what should you look for aromatically?
SIXTY naturally invites attention toward darker roasted and sweeter families.
Useful reference points include:
caramel;
coffee;
espresso;
cocoa;
earth;
sweet spice;
roasted nuts.
But these should never become mandatory answers.
If you taste:
coffee + wood + pepper
write exactly that.
Do not invent caramel simply because someone else used that word.
A tasting note should describe the cigar you experienced, not the review you remembered.
15. A.L.R. – tasting a blend whose internal recipe is intentionally hidden
A.L.R. becomes particularly interesting because the internal recipe is not fully revealed.
You cannot confidently say:
“This note comes from filler X.”
You do not know.
Instead, analyze what you can actually perceive:
density;
strength;
body;
sweetness;
earth;
spice;
roasted character;
cocoa;
finish;
transitions.
This creates an almost semi-blind tasting situation.
You know the wrapper.
You know the origin.
You know the strength category.
You know the aging concept.
But you do not know every internal component.
That makes A.L.R. especially educational.
16. SIXTY – a study in integration
The central question I would ask with SIXTY is:
“How well are the flavors integrated within a medium-strength cigar?”
I would not chase maximum power.
I would look for:
harmony;
roundness;
sweetness;
smoke texture;
clean transitions;
finish.
SIXTY shows that long resting periods are not reserved only for aggressive full-bodied cigars.
A medium blend can also use time to improve coherence and refinement.
17. A.L.R. – integration under greater intensity
With A.L.R. the question changes:
“Can aging keep a Medium-Full blend controlled and refined?”
The intensity is higher.
Therefore, pay attention to:
whether pepper stays elegant;
whether body increases without harshness;
whether sweetness survives;
whether the finish remains coherent;
whether the final third overheats easily.
A.L.R. is useful for smokers who assume:
Medium-Full must mean aggressive.
It does not.
Strength and harshness are different concepts.
18. Smoothness does not mean mild
This pair perfectly illustrates the difference between:
Strength
Body
Flavor
A cigar can feel very smooth and still be Medium-Full.
Another cigar can be Medium but deliver very high flavor intensity.
Therefore:
SIXTY
Medium strength can still produce substantial body and flavor.
A.L.R.
Medium-Full can remain polished and integrated after significant aging.
Do not estimate strength solely from how “soft” or “smooth” the smoke feels.
19. What does the A.L.R. box press change in practice?
The clearest differences are physical.
A box-pressed cigar:
feels different between the fingers;
rests differently in the mouth;
has a distinctive geometry;
does not roll easily when placed down.
Some smokers also enjoy how box-pressed cigars feel during longer sessions.
But again:
box-pressed does not mean objectively better.
It simply becomes another design variable.
The correct question is:
“Do I personally enjoy this geometry?”
20. Identical high ratings do not mean identical cigars
Both lines have received major recognition and very high scores.
That is interesting context.
But it would be wrong to conclude:
“If both received similar ratings, they must be equally good in the same way.”
Ratings do not work like that.
Two restaurants can receive the same score and serve completely different cuisines.
Two cigars can receive the same numerical evaluation and deliver completely different experiences.
The rating tells you that reviewers found significant quality.
It does not tell you which cigar your palate will prefer.
21. Which one is more complex?
We cannot answer this simply by looking at strength.
A.L.R. is Medium-Full.
That does not automatically make it more complex.
Complexity should be judged through:
layering;
transitions;
development;
finish;
coherence.
SIXTY may deliver a very elegant form of complexity precisely because it stays in a Medium range.
A.L.R. may deliver a denser, more intense form.
The verdict must come from tasting.
22. Which one is more suitable for a beginner?
Between the two:
SIXTY.
Not necessarily for someone who has never smoked a premium cigar before. For a complete beginner, an even milder line such as Vintage 1999 may be a more logical first step.
But for someone who already understands mild and medium cigars, SIXTY is generally a more natural introduction than A.L.R.
The reason is simple:
Medium vs Medium-Full.
A.L.R. can come afterward.
23. Which one is better for an intermediate smoker?
It depends on what the smoker wants to study.
If the goal is:
San Andrés + aging + Medium + integration
→ SIXTY.
If the goal is:
San Andrés + Medium-Full + box press + secret blend + aging
→ A.L.R.
That distinction matters.
This is not simply:
beginner = SIXTY;
expert = A.L.R.
A better question is:
“What do you want to learn from the cigar?”
24. Which one is more interesting for an experienced smoker?
Ideally:
both.
This pair is unusually good for experienced comparative tasting because so many variables can be held relatively constant.
Both involve:
Nicaragua;
San Andrés;
long post-roll aging;
Robusto, Toro and Sixty formats.
But they differ in:
strength;
construction;
blend transparency;
box-pressed vs more traditional geometry.
That is exactly the kind of comparison an experienced palate can learn from.
25. What if I like San Andrés but do not want something too intense?
Choose:
SIXTY.
Its Medium positioning makes it the more logical starting point.
Begin with Robusto.
Then try Toro.
If you enjoy the direction and want more intensity:
move to A.L.R. Robusto.
That creates a coherent progression.
26. What if I specifically want Medium-Full plus aging?
Choose:
A.L.R. Second Edition.
The line explicitly combines:
Aged. Limited. Rare.
with a Medium-Full position and extended aging before release.
It is particularly logical for someone who says:
“I want aging to be a central part of the product, not just a background detail.”
27. How should you taste them properly?
Do not smoke them on the same day if the goal is serious comparison.
Day 1
SIXTY Robusto.
Day 2 or 3
A.L.R. Second Edition Robusto.
Try to keep:
similar RH;
the same neutral water;
a relatively neutral palate;
similar food context;
no aggressive pairing;
the same tasting sheet.
Record:
StrengthBodyFlavor IntensitySweetnessPepperCoffeeCocoaEarthTextureComplexityFinish
Then compare.
28. The full Robusto → Toro → Sixty experiment
For a complete comparison:
SIXTY Robusto
A.L.R. Robusto
SIXTY Toro
A.L.R. Toro
SIXTY Sixty
A.L.R. Sixty
This is one of the cleanest comparative series in the Rocky Patel portfolio because the nominal dimensions align across all three pairings.
After six sessions, you will be able to distinguish more accurately whether your preference comes from:
blend;
strength;
construction;
vitola.
That is far more informative than simply saying:
“I like A.L.R. more.”
29. Pairing – do not start with whisky
If your objective is educational:
water.
Once you understand both cigars individually, pairing becomes more useful.
SIXTY
A medium-to-dark roast coffee can work especially well if you perceive coffee, caramel or roasted sweetness.
A.L.R.
Its Medium-Full structure may support a somewhat more intense pairing.
But pairing should never become a competition.
If the drink dominates completely, you are no longer analyzing the cigar.
30. Common mistakes when comparing SIXTY and A.L.R.
“Both use San Andrés, so they should taste alike”
False.
“Both are aged extensively, so they are almost the same concept”
False.
“A.L.R. is better because it is stronger”
False.
“SIXTY 6 × 60 is the only authentic SIXTY”
False.
“A.L.R. definitely has a specific filler because it is Nicaraguan-made”
Do not assume an undisclosed recipe.
“Box-pressed automatically means more flavor”
False.
“Similar ratings mean I should like both equally”
False.
31. Quick comparison – SIXTY vs A.L.R. Second Edition
Characteristic
SIXTY
A.L.R. Second Edition
Origin
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Wrapper
San Andrés
San Andrés
Binder
Nicaragua
Undisclosed
Filler
Nicaragua
Undisclosed
Strength
Medium
Medium-Full
Aging concept
Extended post-roll maturation
Extended aging before release
Main concept
60th birthday / maturity
Aged. Limited. Rare.
Shape
Traditional cigar format
Box-pressed
Robusto
5½ × 50
5½ × 50
Toro
6½ × 52
6½ × 52
Sixty
6 × 60
6 × 60
Best educational use
Integration at Medium strength
Integration at Medium-Full strength
32. FAQ – Rocky Patel SIXTY vs A.L.R.
Do both use San Andrés?
Yes.
Are both made in Nicaragua?
Yes.
Which is stronger?
A.L.R. Second Edition is positioned Medium-Full, while SIXTY is Medium.
Is SIXTY aged after rolling?
Yes. Extended post-roll maturation is a central part of the line.
Is A.L.R. aged before release?
Yes. Aging before release is a defining part of the concept.
What does A.L.R. mean?
Aged. Limited. Rare.
Is A.L.R. box-pressed?
Yes.
Is SIXTY weak because it is Medium?
No. Strength and flavor intensity are different dimensions.
Do they share the same core vitolas?
Yes:
Robusto 5½ × 50Toro 6½ × 52Sixty 6 × 60
Which should I taste first?
SIXTY first, then A.L.R., ideally in the same vitola.
Which is more complex?
That cannot be determined properly from specifications alone. Complexity should be evaluated through tasting.
What filler does A.L.R. use?
The full internal recipe is not publicly disclosed.
33. Mister Tabaco Flight – “San Andrés & Time”
For a concise educational tasting:
#1 SIXTY Robusto
Lesson: San Andrés + Medium + aging.
#2 A.L.R. Second Edition Robusto
Lesson: San Andrés + Medium-Full + box press + aging.
Then, for a deeper comparison:
#3 SIXTY Toro
Lesson: same blend, longer evolution.
#4 A.L.R. Toro
Lesson: Medium-Full development over a longer session.
This flight isolates an extremely important distinction:
same wrapper family
versus
different blend philosophy.
34. Mister Tabaco verdict
There is no universal winner.
Choose SIXTY if you want:
San Andrés;
Medium strength;
a Nicaraguan core;
extended post-roll maturation;
integrated flavor;
an approachable introduction to a more sophisticated San Andrés cigar.
Choose A.L.R. Second Edition if you want:
San Andrés;
Medium-Full;
significant aging;
box-pressed construction;
an Aged/Limited/Rare concept;
an intentionally undisclosed internal blend.
Compare both if you want:
to understand why two cigars can share the same wrapper family, origin, aging philosophy and vitolas yet deliver very different experiences.
Conclusion – the same outer leaf, two different ideas about maturity
SIXTY and A.L.R. Second Edition form one of the most interesting comparisons in the Rocky Patel portfolio.
On paper they share a remarkable amount:
Nicaragua.
San Andrés.
Extended aging after rolling.
Robusto, Toro and Sixty.
Yet that is exactly the lesson.
Shared specifications do not guarantee the same experience.
SIXTY can be summarized as:
Medium + San Andrés + Nicaraguan core + anniversary maturity concept.
A.L.R. as:
Medium-Full + San Andrés + secret internal blend + box press + Aged/Limited/Rare.
SIXTY teaches:
balance and integration.
A.L.R. teaches:
how aging can help a more intense blend remain controlled and coherent.
And perhaps the most important idea is this:
Aging is not a flavor.
You cannot literally taste “two years.”
What you can evaluate are the potential effects of time:
integration;
smoother transitions;
fewer rough edges;
texture;
balance;
finish.
So if both cigars are available, do not reduce the question to:
“Which one is better?”
Build the experiment:
SIXTY Robusto → A.L.R. Second Edition Robusto.
Same vitola.
Same wrapper family.
Same production country.
Similar aging philosophy.
But two different blends.
That is where comparative tasting becomes truly educational.
Mister Tabaco
At Mister Tabaco, you can turn theory into practical comparisons between blends, vitolas and origins.
Continue the Tobacco Guide
→ What Is Premium Tobacco and How Is It Different from Ordinary Tobacco?
→ Wrapper, Binder and Filler – the anatomy of a premium cigar
→ Maduro Explained Properly – Color, Fermentation, Flavor and the Strength Myth
→ Ligero, Seco and Volado – how leaf position changes a premium cigar
→ How Cigar Tobacco Is Grown – From Seed to Harvest
→ Tobacco Fermentation – The Process That Transforms the Leaf
→ Tobacco Aging – Why Some Cigar Leaves Are Aged for Years
→ How a Master Blender Creates a Cigar
→ Shade-Grown vs Sun-Grown: How Light Changes a Cigar Wrapper
→ Long Filler vs Short Filler – The Real Differences in Cigar Construction
→ Strength vs Body vs Flavor – How to Describe a Cigar Correctly
→ How Vitola Changes Cigar Flavor: Robusto vs Toro vs Churchill vs Sixty
→ How to Choose Your First Premium Cigar – A Complete Beginner’s Guide
→ How to Taste a Premium Cigar and Identify Aromas
→ How to Store Cigars Properly: Humidor, Temperature and Humidity
→ Common Mistakes That Can Ruin the Experience of a Premium Cigar
→ Rocky Patel Guide: Differences Between the Main Collections at Mister Tabaco
→ Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 vs Vintage 1999: Aged Broadleaf or Delicate Connecticut?
→ Rocky Patel Number 6 vs DBS: Balanced Corojo or Broadleaf Architecture?
→ Rocky Patel SIXTY vs A.L.R. Second Edition: Two San Andrés Interpretations, Two Aging Philosophies
→ How to Choose a Rocky Patel by Experience, Strength and Flavor Profile
Explore the Cigar Guide
→ How to Choose Your First Cigar
→ Which Rocky Patel Cigar Should You Choose as a Beginner?
→ How to Smoke a Cigar Properly
→ Robusto, Toro or Churchill? Cigar Size Guide
→ How to Store Cigars Properly
→ Cuba vs Nicaragua vs Dominican Republic vs Honduras
→ How to Identify Cigar Flavors
→ Cigar Pairing with Whisky, Rum, Cognac or Coffee
→ 10 Common Cigar Mistakes Beginners Make
→ How to Choose a Cigar as a Gift or for a Special Occasion
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