Stogie Reviews: Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Toro
Tuesday, September 4th, 2007A three-day weekend calls for a special cigar. So last night I decided to wind down Labor Day with Rocky’s Vintage 1990 Toro.
Regular StogieGuys.com readers may recall my deep affinity for the Vintage ’92 line. I happen to count the Torpedo among my all-time favorite smokes, and have even said its full-bodied flavors “hands-down outmatch the Vintage 1990 line.”
That claim was based on my countless experiences with various vitolas of the two blends. It may not have been a fair statement at the time because, until now, I had never given a ’90 the attention required of a full review.
To start things off, it’s worth noting the main difference between the two highly successful blends is that the ’92 line has an Ecuador Sumatra maduro wrapper and the ’90 line has a Honduran Broadleaf maduro wrapper. I can’t tell the two blends apart on sight alone without looking at the bottom half of their double maroon and gold bands.
The Toro is a six and ½ inch by 52 ring gauge beauty that retails for $6.50 to $8 apiece. I rather like its slender and sleek box-pressed look. With Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, Rocky advertises the ’90 blend as a good “balance of flavor, complexity, and richness” with “notes of cedar and espresso.” The line was dubbed the Best of the Best in the 2004 Robb Report.
From the get-go it’s easy to see why, as delicious notes of cocoa and spicy wood dominate. After two inches, the flavor isn’t terribly different from the ’92 Toro – an attribute that’s a-ok with me.
At the midway point, the spice seems to slowly fade as floral tastes come and go. This is really where the flavors of the two blends diverge. What the ’92 line has in chocolate and almond the ’90 line has in cocoa beans and jasmine.
The final third of this medium-bodied smoke is really outstanding, as the many flavors seem to come into their own. Very balanced on the palate and certainly not harsh.
The one complaint I have concerns construction. Each time I have a ’90 Toro I find a number of touch-ups necessary to keep an even burn. This stogie was no exception but, to its credit, it did have a clear draw and a dense ash that held firm for up to two inches.
On the whole I’m impressed with Rocky’s Vintage 1990 Toro, but don’t think it quite lives up to the standard set by the ’92 blend. Still, this is a terrific stick that’s well worth the price and worthy of a four and ½ out of five stogies rating.
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I agree that the 92 is better than the 90, but most interesting is that both are better than the Fusion, IMO.
I’ve been meaning to review the 90 and 92 but never get a around to it. I think the 90 is a bit milder than the 92, but I really enjoy both cigars.
Funny how every has a different opinion on this. I like the 90 better than the 92. The 92 always seems to have a creamier taste to it than the 90 with its perppy/woody/natural tobacco taste.
I think you’re right, Jerry. The ‘92 is creamier and also a bit sweeter, which I believe is why I enjoy it more.
“This is really where the flavors of the two blends diverge. What the ’92 line has in chocolate and almond the ’90 line has in cocoa beans and jasmine.”
Very well put. I also prefer the 92 and would describe the taste as chocolate-covered cherries - so I guess I’m getting a hint of fruit-floral there as well. But I also enjoy the 90 for just the reasons you’ve described.
Nice review. Thanks.
[...] Because the wrapper is usually the part of the cigar that most contributes to a stogie’s flavor profile, a barber pole might offer taste possibilities impossible to create with just one wrapper. Of course, more complexity isn’t always better, as evidenced by the Rocky Patel Fusion. While the Fusion is a fine cigar, it’s generally not considered as good as either the Vintage 1990 or 1992 (despite the fact it uses both cigars’ wrappers). [...]
92 wins! However, we can not forget about the Olde World Series which is the best ciagr made by Rocky Patel, hands down.
[...] According to Patrick, this is an exceptional cigar and it gets quite a high rating - four and a half stogies. Check it out. Read the full review here… [...]
[...] The G3 is a fine smoke with a big, interesting taste. I think the price, however, is a bit higher than it should be, particularly when you consider the Rocky Patel Vintage ’90s and ’92s cost about the same. [...]
[...] one was pretty disappointing. However, having read a few of other reviews by my friends Walt and Patrick, the problem might be in my particular cigar. Will have to wait until I go to the USA to confirm [...]
I saw CI had a RP Vintage Euro blend (supposed to milder blend). Has anyone tried these?