Rocky Patel Vintage 2nds 1990 Maduro

Purchased: 15-Pack Petite Corona (4.5 X 44)
Store: Cigars International
Price Paid: $54.99
Buy again? Oh yeah!

These are such a steal at $3.60/stick! Yes, it is a 2nd and it didn’t make the final cut for production release, but it’s not a fuma, which means it has the same construction as the regular production cigar and not made from scraps. It’s just blemished. On the one shown in the pictures, the ONLY thing I see “wrong” with it is a small light spot on the wrapper that’s about 2mm X 3mm. Otherwise, it’s the same wonderful RP Vintage 1990 smoke!

While I enjoyed the mini perfecto, the only negative mark it had was that it was a bitch to draw after lighting because of the tapered tip. But once it got going it was fine. As for this vitola, it’s absolutely in my sweet spot! I’ve lately started to gravitate towards the corona and petite corona vitolas, and this is perfect. As a box-pressed cigar, it has the same tight draw, and that’s a good thing because even a small puff produces tons of smoke.

I was so excited when I received these a few days ago. Yeah, yeah, I normally let my cigars sit at least a month in my humidor. But this morning I really had a hankering for one of these, so I took one out and was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t hear any cracking when I rolled it between my fingers. Then I looked at the wrapper and saw all the little nodules of oil on the wrapper! No wonder there was no cracking! This stick was toothy as fuck!

The sticks still need some time to lay down though, because while the burn is mostly even, it’s slightly wavy at times and that’s an indicator that it hasn’t had enough time to equalize. Some might say, Who cares since it’s a budget cigar? But just like the Ave Maria Argentum that can be purchased for a song at times, it’s still a premium cigar and I feel it should be treated that way. Truth be told, I give all my cigars, irrespective of their apparent quallity, lots of TLC. It just improves the smoke.

This is a solid medium smoke with a gorgeous, creamy mouthfeel. I get lots of spice from the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, but wonderful undertones of cedar and forest floor and hints of espresso. By the 2nd half, oaky, tannic notes begin to surface, and the concentration of the oils start giving off an exotic, teak wood aroma. Very similar to the Olive Master Blends III.

I’m kind of laughing at myself right now because I’m totally geeking out. Smoking this stick is so sublime. Like any cigar that I love, it puts me in my happy place and I contemplate the experience. And that experience is wonderful!