Let's cut straight to the chase with VegaFina's 1998 Vintage 1 VF 42L - a 7 1/3" x 42 Churchill that's been turning heads since its limited release. Priced at $90 for a box of 10, this Dominican-made stick comes wrapped in Ecuadorian leaf with Indonesian binder, blending tobaccos from three different countries. The Tabacalera de Garcia factory craftsmanship shows in its razor-straight roll.
The cold draw delivers sweet hay notes. Upon lighting, expect dry cedar and roasted almonds with faint white pepper sparkles. Smoke output stays moderate - about 30% less voluminous than your typical Nicaraguan puro.
Dominican filler takes center stage with baking spices and cocoa powder. Watch for sporadic bitter tannins if smoked too fast. The ash holds solid 1.5" segments when properly rested.
Leather emerges alongside developing earthiness. Some testers report slight tar buildup past the band point. Average smoking time clocks 85 minutes with controlled puffing.
Rolled in the Dominican Republic's Tabacalera de Garcia facility (also producing Davidoff), these use aged 2015-2017 tobaccos. The Ecuadorian wrapper lacks the oil content of Sumatra-seed counterparts but provides consistent combustion.
Accolade: Cigar Coop's 86-point rating aligns with its position as a solid daily smoke rather than a showstopper. Those seeking shorter formats can explore the Toro (6" x 54) or Robusto (5" x 50) variants from the same Vintage 1998 line.
