I was asked by a younger cigar smoker if I had ever smoked the Rocky Patel Vintage 1990.  He was in the shop, and wondered how anyone would pay over $15 for a cigar?  I said, “honestly, I haven’t smoked that one in a very long time.”  But I do know that it is one of Rocky’s oldest lines of cigars, thus, must be popular.  Rocky describes them as this:

The Vintage 1990 is a mild- to medium-body cigar with a nutty, caramel essence. This line is highlighted by a 12-year-old Honduran broadleaf wrapper that has softened in strength over the years yet gained in complexity and flavor. Renowned for its elegance and balance, the Vintage 1990 features the unrivaled accolades of a 92 rating and twice being named to the Top 25 Cigars of the Year in Cigar Aficionado.

Wrapper: Honduran Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan

As my friend Brady Brown says, “It is a great dessert cigar, it is better than chocolate cake!”

Well my friend, I will agree with you there.  The wrapper is dark chocolate in color, and has a mild leather and chocolate aroma, the foot had a strong barn yard aroma, and was packed with manure.

I smoked the size called “The Sixty” which comes in at a hefty 6 x 60 beef stick.

First Half:

Right away, I got loads of chocolate with a hint of a vanilla sweetness that made me drool.  There is this zing on the finish, that I have come to identify as the “Nicaraguan Zing.”  It has a nice aged mellow tobacco flavor, with a lingering sweetness that stuck on my lips.  Okay Rocky, maybe it is caramel.  The smoke started out light, but as I smoked through it, it became more and more meaty and chewy.

Second Half:

As I smoked my way through this cigar, the flavors became more complex and deep.  Even though chocolate was the predominate flavor, I would get these hints of cinnamon, vanilla, bread or toast, and nutmeg.  Twice I got an odd and interesting aroma I have never gotten before.  It reminded me of walking past an olive bar at the grocery store.  Not unpleasant for me, I LOVE olives and pickles (it may be my other passion… ).  The retro hale tingles my nose with a cinnamon undertone, but over all very smooth.

Overall, this cigar is a winner in my book.  I love the deep flavors and chewy smoke.  It is hard for me to justify $15 for any cigar, but I would buy this one again as a treat!

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