Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Petit Corona Review

[PaleRider]

This afternoon I am reviewing the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Petit Corona.

4 1/2 X 44

First Glance-The wrapper is very delicate looking. The veins in the leaf are very fine in texture and definition. Somewhat light in color for a Maduro IMO. The Box press is evident, the corners, however, are not extreme angles though. The stick is firm, no soft spots, no visible plume either. Filler is bunched nicely, quick spring back at the foot when pinched. Overall, it presents nicely.

The bouquet reminds me of dusty, maturing hay, specifically alfalfa. For an 'ole ranch hand like myself, this is not a bad thing. Peaceful, somewhat comforting.


Pre-Light draw-Draws tight, not very free. I'll have to try to open this one up a bit. No noticable notes other than tobacco in the slightest sense. Almost neutral in terms of flavor.


First Inch- Accepts the flame readily, no burning issues at all. I was greeted with a definte taste of coffee and chocolate on the first draw. There was no mistaking the flavors, a very straight forward presentation to the pallete. Moderate to Low amounts of pleasant smoke. Still Draws rather tight. Burn line is good, starting to get a little out of shape. The ash developing is a tight ash, mostly light gray with some darker hues in the ash sections.

First Third-Starting to free up on the draw somewhat. Still just a shade tigther than I like. However, Box pressed RG of 44, it is what it is. Starting to pick up a slight sense of spice, with tones of cedar, the previous notes of coffee and chocolate are giving way to these new flavors. They are now taking on more of a supporting role in the smoke. I must say, it is a nice partnership.

There is a slight bitterness emerging at the end of the exhale. Not bad, reinforces the notes of coffee. The ash is back on track and looking very nice. Holding over an inch of ash with no signs of wanting to fall off. The consistency of the ash is somewhat flakier than I prefer, not a bad thing, just a personal preference thing.

Sweet notes developing along with an increase in the cedar notes. Still have the slight bitterness as the smoke wanders out of my mouth.

Second Third-As has been the case on all the previous RP's Petit Coronas I have smoked, Spiciness increases, however, overall charachter becomes somewhat boring. Kind of like High School Marching band at half time. Nice to see, but not the reason you are there. Draw has freed up, good volumes of nice smoke now. Mostly Spice and Cedar, the coffee notes have all but disappeared at this point.

Finish-The last 2 inches of this stick is where it really shines IMO. A creamy smoothness gets introduced into the mix, the spice levels off and actually takes it down just a notch from the previous third. Smoke is in large lofty clouds and heavy with smooth cedar. Oils in the wrapper are much more pronounced at this point. Whereas before they were almost non-existent. There are notes of leather and the slight bitterness is still present. The spice is picking up a bit, and the chocolate and coffee notes are starting to take back the lead from the cedar. The last drag, high spice, more pronounced bitterness with a coffee and chocolate undertone, slightly sweet.

Overall, this is not a bad cigar. I know CA gave it a 90 I don't know if I would rate it that high. Mostly because of the mid point doldromes. I have had 4 of these now and they have all performed in this manner. They are consistent. This is a rather full flavored smoke ultimately. I find the finish (the last 2 inches or so) to be the most exciting and satisfying. I can't say that I wouldn't reccommend it, I would, but with the caveat that you have to get past the mid point blues. Perseverence does pay off in this case.

Thanks!

[mcmoyer]

Thanks for the post! I was just looking at some of these in a catalog this afternoon. Sounds like they are worth a shot.

[PaleRider]

Definitely worth a shot, however I would have expected a bit more in a super premium vintage cigar. Not to say that it was or is a bad smoke. Just that I had a somewhat higher level of expectation than it provided.

Hope this is helpful!

[cedjunior]

RP Vintage are too mild for me. Sun Grown & Edge are where its at.

Also I do believe the '92 are dark natural wrappers or something like that, but its the '90 is the maduro.

[PaleRider]

Originally Posted by cedjunior

RP Vintage are too mild for me. Sun Grown & Edge are where its at.

Also I do believe the '92 are dark natural wrappers or something like that, but its the '90 is the maduro.

You are absolutely correct, it is in fact an Ecaudorian Sun Grown Wrapper, 10 years old they say. My bad. Thanks for the correction. Like I said in the post, the wrapper seemed awfully light to be a maduro.

I did some more research on this cigar after my post, and I must say, the reviewers sure liked it a whole lot better than I did.

Like I said in my post, not a bad gar, just not the earth shattering religous experience that I have had with others.

[mrreindeer]

Great review! I just had a great Vintage '90 a couple weeks back and was just gifted a '92 of a different size...can't wait to try it!

[Vinnie]

Great write up, RP should send you a box for it! I have a couple in my box I'm looking forward to trying them. I just bought a bundle of 2nds that are in the mail, feels like Christmas is in air!
Vin

[s15driftking]

im very happy to see you doing all these reviews!! makes me happy!!

[scottw]

Nice review!!