My Weekend Cigar – Nov. 13, 2017: Rocky Patel Vintage 1992
MY WEEKEND CIGAR: Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Cigar Review
By Gary Korb
A “Vintage” Cigar That’s Still Stunning After All These Years
The longevity of many major cigar brands is generally built on their earliest releases, and the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 series is one of the best examples. This selection has had legs with consumers since 2003, and when you add-in the rave reviews and the 90+ ratings, you’ve got the makings of an enduring classic.
Although the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Toro pairs well with just about everything, I decided to go with a vodka & tonic. – G-~
Country of Origin: Honduras
Size: 6½” x 52 (box-pressed)
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra (Aged 10 years)
Filler & Binder: Nicaraguan & Dominican Ligero
My Experience: I remember when the Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 & 1992 selections were released in 2003, and for some reason, the Ecuadorian Sumatra version just had more eye appeal for me. It also had a lot of taste appeal, because after 14 years, it’s still at the top of my list of regular favorites (and from what I’ve seen, many others’ too).
So, on this particular weekend night, I found myself at Leaf Cigar Bar lighting-up a Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Toro that I paired with a vodka & tonic and a wedge of lime – my usual. Now here’s one of the more interesting aspects of this cigar: Either it’s the way the fillers are fermented and aged, the 10-year-aged Sumatra wrapper, or a combination of both, but although the core blend has high-priming ligeros, the smoke is medium-bodied straight down the line, exceptionally creamy, and has no peppery spice. Rather, base notes of sweet spice, cedar, and roasted coffee lie at the heart of this blend. I also like how my sweet ‘n sour drink complemented the cigar’s earthier profile, which is somewhat contradictory as pairings go.
Suffice it to say . . . the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 is not a cheap cigar, but well worthy of its upmarket price point. Plus, you can expect it to be first-rate in every detail, and it pays-off as a stunning, non-overpowering smoke for both new and experienced cigar smokers.
If you’ve had an experience with this cigar, please leave a comment or share a similar experience.