My local b&M recommended that I try a Rocky Patel Summer Collection. That will be the last time I listen to him. I lit it up and within the first 3 pulls there was a putrid taste but figured maybe it needed time to get going. 10 pulls later I was stomping this POS out and heading down to my Humi for a Siglo II.
There was something wrong with your RP Summer Collection, or you are one of the weird people that don't like RP's. I just had one of those Saturday night. It had the characteristic RP flavor "profile" that you get with his other, higher regarded smokes. However, it's a bit on the lighter side. My favorite RP is the Vintage 1992, and while the Summer Collection has the same type of magic taste (for me) as the Vintage, it's way less robust. I didn't think it was bad, it just wasn't memorable enough for me to want to buy again. But by your description, you clearly had a bad stick.