Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Toro

Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Toro Cigar

Cigar Review By Jamie Stevens

• Strength: ●○○○○ Mild
• Wrapper: Connecticut
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
• Origin: Honduras
• Jamie's Rating: 97

Astonishingly Aged

What a gloomy day here in Pennsylvania. It already looks like the beginning of Fall but with higher-than-average heat temperatures. Now, I am a Summer gal, but this yo-yo of temperatures here has made me feel a little dizzy. Plus, my allergies haven’t been the best either. Today, despite the gross weather I am smoking the Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Toro. Containing both Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, this astonishingly aged (7 YEARS) cigar has a Connecticut wrapper that showcases and white and gold bands with the Rocky Patel name. I am currently outside smoking and trying to avoid the pending rain that is about to occur.

First Half is Filled With Mild Sweetness

The first half of my smoke is filled with mild sweetness, yet some pepper as well. A little odd for a Connecticut, I think. I typically smoke Connecticut’s in the morning with a cup of coffee, but with this cigar I may have to change things up a bit. The cigar isn’t very smooth either, but has a little bit of citrus tastes to it. It almost reminds me of eating a burnt orange, if that makes any sense. Heading towards the halfway mark there also seems to be some Earth tones as well as even more sweetness. Honestly, so far I find this cigar kind of…..strange.

This isn’t your typical “run of the mill” Connecticut. Seasoned cigar smokers know what I mean by that. There is a bit of a bite to this cigar, which could coincide with the extra long aging process. I am staring to feel some sprinkles now, which has me retreat to under the patio. I recently got back from a trip to Indianapolis to see my favorite band, Pearl Jam. I had a great time in Indy and enjoyed the downtown atmosphere. Plus, I got to see Eddie Vedder.

Second Half of My Smoke

Heading towards the second half of my smoke, the cigar amps up the sweetness, but yet still has the pepper on the retrohale. The cigar also starts to become very creamy, which is much needed at this point to counter act the pepper. This seems more like the flavors of your standard Connecticut. The Earth also take a step forward with some small hints of coffee notes. I am really like the second half of this smoke and wish that the first half had also been like this.

I will say the construction and burn of this cigar has been on point. No touch ups needed throughout. I would say this cigar is on the medium bodied side, especially in the first half! I would score this cigar way higher if I had the same flavors in the first half as I did the second. Definitely worth a second smoke to see if there are any changes.

What Others Our Saying...

The Rocky Patel Vintage 1999, particularly the Connecticut shade version, is a highly acclaimed cigar, earning multiple 90+ point ratings from major publications like 91 points from Cigar Snob and Cigar Journal, along with an 88 from Cigar Aficionado, establishing it as a successful, mild-bodied cigar known for creamy, earthy, and subtly spicy notes with aged wrappers and fillers, making it a favorite for new and experienced smokers alike.

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