Ok, lets be honest here. Early in my cigar smoking days, I could’ve been the poster child for Rocky Patel Cigars (if the demographic they were trying to reach was aging, balding, over-weight men.) I bought The Edge Batallion Maduro two boxes at a time. To me, it didn’t get much better than that. As my passion for cigars grew, my tastes changed and I left Rocky behind to persue more complexed, spicy sticks. A year or so had gone by without a single Rocky being in my humi….then entered the RP Freedom (with the complexity and spice lacking in most RP lines.) I usually have a couple of those babies stashed in my humi, so I was anxious to try the Rocky Patel Royal Vintage. Maybe Rocky would become, once again, a “go to” brand.
This semi-box pressed stick boasts a seven year old Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper smothering longfiller tobaccos that have been aged 10 plus years! Pre-light reveals an easy tobacco infused draw.
Toast time. Upon lighting, the draw was effortless and produced tons of smoke. The smoke was creamy, as was the flavor. Bitter tobacco dominated the first few puffs… I was worried. Soon the flavors fell into place. Slightly nutty with a distinct tobacco finish. About at the half way mark, the flavors surprised me with a pleasant burnt sugar, cream combo. I smiled! The ash was white and held on for inches at a time. 
As I approached the nub, spice finally entered the flavor profile (and a little late in my opinion). A slight pepper finish accompanied by a baking spice….maybe nutmeg. The creaminess continued throughout the stick. The head started cracking, but was probably due to a less than sharp cutter.
Would I smoke this cigar again? – Maybe.
Overall I was pleased with the RP Royal Vintage. Would it be a staple in my humi? Did it turn out to be a “go to” cigar for me? No… BUT I would glady smoke another…and maybe even another. Who knows? It may grow on me. I do recommend that everyone try this stick at least once.
Guest reviewed by Marcus Fagan (aka Maxxrocket)
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Short Link:
- Lots of smoke
- Unique flavors
- Slight bitterness at start
- Delicate wrapper