Initial Thoughts
Surely you’ve heard of Rocky Patel. His brand is one of the most recognizable in the cigar industry. This probably has something to do with having a ton of lines, great marketing and all the hustling Mr. Patel did to get his line off of the ground. Even so, this is not a brand I usually purchase, probably because they are so accessible that I never feel compelled to get one right away for fear of missing out.
RP started out with the 1990 and 1992 Vintage lines and had great success with them.
Piggybacking off of that success comes the 1999 Vintage Connecticut. This cigar is not a box press like its predecessors. It also sports a Connecticut wrapper and is intended for those who prefer a milder smoke. The tobacco used has been aged for 7 years prior to rolling. From what I can tell, it is available in the following vitolas: Churchill, Perfecto, Toro, Torpedo, Robusto, Gordo and Petite Corona.
This particular sample was sent to me from Siz. I’m sure he obtained it by fully legal means.
Looks:
News flash: it looks like a cigar! It has a typical tan Connecticut shade wrapper with some veins and visible seams. Like most Connys, the wrapper looks thin. It appears to be well packed and has no tears or cracks.
There are two bands on it, both white with gold trim and print. The top has the Rocky Patel name and logo. The one under it has the name of the cigar on it. Both are simple but look good on the stick.
Function:
The RP Connecticut feels like it looks, slightly bumpy but silky too. The wrapper does feel thin and there is only a slight give to it. So far so good.
The foot aromas are molasses and grass. The barrel has a sweet honey and earth combo going on.
After clipping the cap, I forget to check the pre light draw. Oops! I guess I was in a hurry to get it lit!
Smoking:
Let me skip to the end here and tell you that the RP Connecticut performed great in all three categories. It did take a minute to light evenly, but after that, there were no burn issues at all. No relights, no runs, just a mostly even burn line throughout. This was the case despite it being rather windy that day.
The draw was fantastic! There was ample smoke output without it being too much.
The ash was mostly white and gray and held on for an inch at a time. Though it looked pretty solid, it also appeared like it might fall easily around the 1-inch mark. However, it held on strong, even when I tapped it.
Flavor:
So far, the Rocky Patel 1999 Vintage Connecticut Robusto has been a top performer.
Keeping in mind that it is not supposed to be a strong cigar, I am prepared to judge it for what it is. Will it make the cut?
In the first third, we begin with a mild white pepper and nuts flavor. Soon, a sweet graham cracker note emerges along with some grass and a touch of earth. Then I get some butter and floral notes. I’m also getting a touch of salt, but mostly on the retrohale.
The finish is medium, but enough to leave some pleasant flavor behind.
The next third sees a reduction in the pepper while the sweet buttery flavor shines. The salt and nuts also become more prominent. There is still a nice floral contingent along with a slight nutmeg. While the flavor lessens at times, it is very enjoyable overall.
The final third continues with the aforementioned flavors. The grassy white pepper has become pretty faint but it is still pretty sweet and salty. The floral notes die down but come back pretty strong in the final inch or so. There is still some butter but it fades as it nears the end.
The Rocky Patel 1999 Vintage Connecticut Robusto is medium in flavor, mild in strength. It presents a very enjoyable palate of flavors throughout, never getting boring.
The overall smoke time was right at 1 hour 10 minutes.
Would I Buy It Again?
Though it is not the kind of cigar I usually go for, it would be nice to have some on hand when I’m in the mood for a mild cigar.
Is It An Everyday Smoke?
It is if you like milder cigars
Would I Buy a Box?
No, but a 5 pack would be in order.
Conclusion
Don’t tell anyone, but I really enjoyed a mild cigar! The Rocky Patel 1999 Vintage Connecticut Robusto is an ideal morning or afternoon cigar for me and I’m sure a great choice for fans of milder cigars. If this sounds like your type of cigar or are looking to switch gears, I highly recommend you give it a try!
