The first thing I notice when looking at the Royal Vintage Robusto is its solid presentation. The two bands near the head really stand out with their purple and gold color schemes. The top band showcases the Rocky Patel name and logo, while the one beneath it displays the Royal Vintage label. The wrapper is oily and has a very slight tinge of red. Only a few veins are visible, with the overall texture being smooth. A subtle box-press adds to the cigar’s nice appearance. I get a spongy feeling from pressing the Robusto, but no major soft spots. This is another well-constructed stick from Rocky Patel. The pre-light aroma is earthy, and so is the cold taste.

Once the Royal Vintage Robusto is in action, it’s pretty much smooth sailing. The draw is easy and there’s a voluminous amount of smoke. The light-colored ash is solid. No touch-ups are needed, and the same holds true for re-lights.

Now it’s on to my favorite part of the Royal Vintage Robusto – its flavor. There’s a nice dose of complexity to be enjoyed here, and it begins with earth and espresso in the first third. The second third goes up a notch in strength from medium to full-bodied with flavors of spice and tobacco. It never gets too rough, however. The final third ends on a soothing note with a lot of nuts and creaminess.

While the original Vintage line was solid enough to make a name for itself, I think the Royal Vintage is a nice complement. If you are a Rocky Patel fan, I suggest picking up this cigar. The same is obviously true if you’ve smoked the original Vintage before and enjoyed it. The Royal Vintage Robusto comes in packs of five or boxes of 20, with a single selling for around $5 each. The cigar is quite limited in its distribution, so don’t hesitate to give it a try before it’s gone.

The Rocky Patel Royal Vintage Robusto earns a rating of 3.5 out of four stars.