The VegaFina 1998 VF 54 Toro is a celebrated cigar that received a strong 90-point rating from Cigar Aficionado, marking it as a standout choice for enthusiasts . This rating, featured in the publication's Cigar Insider in February 2021, highlights the cigar's quality and complex flavor profile .

Official Tasting Notes and Rating

The official review from Cigar Aficionado describes the VegaFina 1998 VF 54 as a "chocolate-colored toro" with a few minor cosmetic notes. The tasting experience is characterized by sweet notes of vanilla, orange peel, and honeyed wood, which are complemented by hints of coffee bean and dried pine needles, all leading to a sweet finish . The review also confirms its excellent construction, noting that it "draws and burns evenly" .

Here is a summary of its official specs and score:

  • Publication: Cigar Aficionado (Cigar Insider) 

  • Issue Date: February 9, 2021 

  • Rating: 90 points 

  • Size: 6 1/8 x 54 

  • Vitola: Toro 

  • Strength: Medium 

The VegaFina 1998 line, named after the brand's founding year, was created by the Grupo de Maestros at the renowned Tabacalera de Garcia factory in the Dominican Republic . It was originally a European exclusive before its successful U.S. debut in 2020 . The VF 54 is a testament to thoughtful blending and aging.

  • Origin: Dominican Republic 

  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Havana (HVA) 

  • Binder: Indonesian Java 

  • Filler: A multi-country blend of aged tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Colombia . Sources indicate the tobaccos are aged for a minimum of three to four years .

Independent Reviewers' Perspective

Beyond the Cigar Aficionado score, the VegaFina 1998 VF 54 has garnered attention from other critics. A detailed blind review by Blind Man's Puff provides additional insight into the smoking experience. While the overall experience for their panel averaged 88 points, individual reviewers noted a complex and evolving flavor profile . One reviewer praised the "very flavorful and complex profile," detecting notes of chocolate, coffee, and roasted peanuts in the final third, along with an intense cinnamon spice .

This broader feedback suggests a cigar with excellent potential, though individual experiences with construction and burn can sometimes vary, a common trait in handmade products . The combination of Cigar Aficionado's 90-point rating and the recognition of its complex blend solidifies the VegaFina 1998 VF 54's reputation as a high-quality, medium-bodied cigar worth experiencing .

I hope this detailed look at the VegaFina 1998 VF 54 is helpful. Are you interested in learning more about other cigars from the VegaFina portfolio or perhaps the different vitolas available in the 1998 line?

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