RP 1990 Torpedo: Too cheap to say no?

[pearl]

So I made a small pilgrimage today to a B&M about an hour from my place to look for some goodies and came across an interesting deal (I think). They had Rocky Patel 1990 Torpedo's at a buy one box get one free. Price was within the normal range at 140ish. I almost jumped, but have not had a 1990 in a while and not that vitola.

Honestly, its almost more of a storage issue to have that many NCs that I probably wont get to very soon, and I am not sure if I need, but after my member discount these will be like $3.25 a stick. How do you say no?

Any thoughts on this cigar that may be helpful? With 40 of them at that size, Ill probably have them for years if I bite. :dunno:


-Pearl

PS: did get my goodies, a bunch of Opus, Oliva V and an Ashton VSG. Nice way to spend the workday afternoon.

 

[jmatkins]

I have not had any this year, but I do like them. It is a good price, and on the flip side those migt be pretty nice with some age on them

 

[njstone]

I love the RP Vintage, though I personally like the '92 more than the '90. The Torpedo is the best size other than the Sixty, in my opinion.

Here's an idea--go there and buy a single of that exact stick. Smoke it asap, and see what you think.

If you really like them, then I'd say definately go for it. They'll only improve with age if kept properly. Also, since so many people like them, they make great trading sticks as well.

At $70/box, it's an awesome deal for a B&M I think. You can get them for that at CigarBid, but not always. Also, ask how much age those boxes have on them--often times, boxes from a B&M have more age on them then boxes purchased online (which is a good thing).

 

[pearl]

Cool. Can anyone explain how these are vintage? everything I see say that the wrapper is 12yr aged (1996?) How is that a 90' vintage. Does this mean when they run out of the supposed 90' wrapper that the line will be no longer produced?

Thanks

-P

 

[Halon]

I believe they are two different blends -- one that was conceived in 1990 and one in 1992. There's no way the tobacco is that old.


TYLER

 

[njstone]

Cool. Can anyone explain how these are vintage? everything I see say that the wrapper is 12yr aged (1996?) How is that a 90' vintage. Does this mean when they run out of the supposed 90' wrapper that the line will be no longer produced?

Thanks

-P

I'm not positive, but I'd guess they came out in 2002--12 years after 1990. I'm not sure if they are still actually using the 1990 wrappers, or if they are simply 12-year aged wrappers (thus 1996 at this point). Obviously they'd keep the name the same to avoid confusion.

 

[pearl]

I'm not positive, but I'd guess they came out in 2002--12 years after 1990. I'm not sure if they are still actually using the 1990 wrappers, or if they are simply 12-year aged wrappers (thus 1996 at this point). Obviously they'd keep the name the same to avoid confusion.

If that is true, I can say that personaly being in the wine biz, caling it a 90' vintage is pretty misleading. The assumption would be that the tobacco or at least some percentage of it was harvested in that year, not just when the leaves of the first cigar were picked or the blend was concieved.

..by that logic all Chateau Lafite should be labled as the 1716 vintage. Pretty silly.

-Pearl

 

[keenween]

I've smoked way more 90s than 92s, and the 90 is one of my go to's. I love the caramel from the 90, but the 92 really does have a great coffee/expresso tone to it! That being said, I'm not convinced aging really improves the 90. I find with some age it retains the overall character, but loses a bit of the evolution during the smoke. CI sells 2nds for 3-4 dollars a stick, and I've never had a 2nd give me any trouble. I'd go that route and save some cash and humidor space unless you want the pretty boxes and wrappers.

 

[njstone]

I've had the 2nds as well and they are great.

As far as the name--again, I know that when the cigar came out Patel used actual tobacco wrappers from 1990/92 (hence the name). As to whether they are still using these exact wrappers, I can't say. Honestly, I doubt it, simply due to the massive volume of Vintage cigars that have been sold. But that is common practice in the cigar world--changing the cigar in certain ways but not changing the name. On the box, it says "Vintage 1990: Aged 12 years." I think that the "aged 12 years" is the key here. Originally that meant 1990, now I'm sure it's simply a 12-year aged wrapper.

Many cigar name have years in the title, and few of them are exact reflections of the harvest date of the tobacco. Take the Camacho 1962 or the Torano 1916 for examples...

 

[pearl]

Many cigar name have years in the title, and few of them are exact reflections of the harvest date of the tobacco. Take the Camacho 1962 or the Torano 1916 for examples...

Agreed (padron 1964s my favorite NC) but .... they dont use the term "vintage" implying from a specific date. Clearly Camacho 1962 is the name of the cigar not the year. "Vintage 1990" infers a bit differently.

Just being picky, and am used to the more stringent regulations in the wine world.

-Pearl