Romeo Y Julieta – A Classic in a Tube

I can clearly remember the first time I smoked a Romeo Y Julieta Churchill en Tubo.  It was well over thirty years and I remember it well.  I was in Quebec and went into a small tobacco shop and asked for something good.  The person said it was what he smoked.  I think I paid about $4.50 for the stick.  And it was wonderful.  It was also from Cuba.  A week later I was in Washington and wandered into Georgetown Tobacco asking for something similar.  The tobacconist there recommended an H. Upmann.  It was also good, but not from Cuba.  I am still partial to the Upmann’s and have fond memories of the RyJ.  This stick isn’t from Cuba, but it bears the same name and a striking resemblance.  It also smokes well.

When I first looked at the cigar it looked great.  And, as you know brought back memories.  Taking it out of the tube, it presented very well.  It looked classical.  A beautiful parejo, appearing well wrapped and feeling well filled.  It punched and lit without a problem.

Construction was very good.  The cigar burned evenly and held a tight edge.  The initial ash was almost pure white and very long (close to three inches).  I was reading as I smoked and paying little constant attention to my cigar. It remained lit and well burning without attention.  From time to time I would think about the cigar and found it to be pleasant.

Flavor was leathery throughout.  It tasted like a cigar that I might have had 30 or 40 years ago.  Very traditional and closely resembling what is known as a Cuban style.  That being said, I felt that the flavor was very one dimensional and not up to par with other smokes.  From a strength point of view I think of this as a medium bodied or ‘lunch’ cigar.

All in all the cigar presents well and has classic flavor.  It burns evenly and is very representative of old time cigars.  If you are looking for something traditional, this could be the smoke for you.