In terms of looks, the Vintage 1990 Robusto is aesthetically pleasing. Its Honduran Broadleaf wrapper is dark and has some oil that is visible on the surface. A few large veins are present and it appears to be constructed well. There are two decorative bands located near the head. The top band has the Rocky Patel name and logo. The band right below it displays the Vintage 1990 label. Both bands have a sophisticated look and their red and gold color schemes add a nice touch. Patting down the cigar tells that is is packed firmly with tobacco. Before lighting, the cold taste is of tobacco, and so is the scent.

Perhaps it's just a lemon, but the wrapper on this particular stick decided to unravel a bit once it was clipped. The burn also becomes somewhat uneven at times. Otherwise, the draw is just right and solid ash that is light in color is produced.

The flavor department is where the Vintage 1990 really shines. A nice variety of flavors come into play that are soothing and tasty at the same time. Tobacco notes start things off, and some delicious nutty flavors follow. Chocolate is another flavor that appears, as does a bit of spice. There is also plenty of creaminess and a fruity note similar to cherry that really add a great finishing touch.

It's really a shame that the wrapper had the unraveling issue. Other than that, this was one cigar that was highly enjoyable thanks to its complexity. The flavors are excellent and won't bowl you over. Beginners should be able to handle the 1990 Robusto without any problem, and those who enjoy smoother smokes should find it to be right up their alley. A single hovers around the $7 mark. Considering the wrapper issues, that may be a bit high, especially when you consider that it seems to be commonplace amongst the Robusto. Still, the flavors alone make it worth the trip to pick a single up at the very least. You can also find it in packs of five or boxes of 20.

The Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Robusto earns a rating of three out of four stars.