Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Juniors are a cigar that really shouldn’t need an introduction. If you have been in the cigar game for a while, chances are you have had one, or a couple, or a couple hundred. Born in 2003, Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 was the first premium cigar to be marketed under the Rocky Patel brand name after his transition from Indian Tabac. It is the stick that put Rocky on the map and got the ball rolling, and what a name Rocky Patel has made for himself since! Made in Honduras, Vintage 1990 is blended with Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, a spicy Nicaraguan binder, and a dark, oily Honduran Broadleaf wrapper.
Though somewhat unconventional, this blend is what has earned Vintage 1990 some serious accolades over the years, including a 92 rating and two separate appearances on Cigar Aficionado’s coveted Top 25 list. Not only is Vintage 1990 one of Rocky’s most decorated cigars of all time, but it has also come to be a fan favorite, reigning as one of the top sellers in the vast Rocky Patel portfolio.
Firmly constructed, nearly seamless on the roll, and adorned with a fancy maroon and gold band, Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Juniors sure look like one heck of a treat. However, looks mean nothing if performance cannot back it up. However, in the case of Vintage 1990, the performance is the best part. A smooth draw produces silky gray smoke, delighting the palate with a rich, earthy flavor profile. Definitive notes of cocoa and black pepper are boldly stated, along with plenty of raw tobacco and a subtle grassy undertone. A bold, mocha finish ties the whole package together, making it easy to see how this cigar has become such a massive success over the years. Medium-full-bodied, Vintage 1990 was a masterpiece from its conception.
Once acclaimed as a “connoisseurs only” cigar, Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 has become readily available and reasonably affordable compared to cigars of similar stature from other brands. This is not only good news for those experienced folks that love the Vintage 1990, but for beginners and intermediates that want to find out what a luxury cigar tastes like. The Juniors are a 4” x 38 small cigar that are going to be bold and spicy, due to the smaller ring gauge and short stature. Vintage 1990 pairs well with bourbon or cognac and is a fantastic way to spend a weekend evening after a long work week. Similar sticks may include its sister cigar, Vintage 1992, along with Rocky Patel Sungrown, another classic Patel concoction that took off in Rocky’s early days. It is ironic. Rocky Patel is known for having one of the largest, most diverse portfolios of any cigar manufacturer, offering cigars for any palate and any occasion, and growing more and more, year after year. The funny thing is, he already struck gold with the very first one! Vintage 1990 was not only his first premium cigar but remains to this day as one of his most successful.