Romeo y Julieta Belicoso

[El Presidente]

If there are fans, let me know. I have been hitting a box from 08 and have some thoughts but would love your opinion.

[cigcars]

*I had always seen that smoke as one of the finer habanos. If this batch is found to be lacking, it makes me feel a bit better about the one I got from a supposedly reputable source. It was a tad air-like. I'm gonna have to acquire a few more - hopefully aged - and give them another shot. I do recall in past years being somewhat reasonably impressed.

[CanuckSARTech]

R&J were my first cigars to try. The "Coronitas en Cedro" and the "Romeo No. 2 tubos" have been, and continue to be, staples in my cabinet. They're inexpensive, great to serve to new compatriots to try, and they're a lighter refreshing choice. I find the same for the Short Churchills - I'm a fan of robustos, and these are a light and floral choice from time to time. I've always enjoyed that light, unsweetened cherry-pie-filling background taste that this marca has.

That all said, it seems that these flavours that R&J are known for, as well as the consistency and quality for the price, is going by the wayside these past few years.

I can't remember if I've ever had an R&J Belicoso, but what I've seen lately from R&J doesn't really make me yearn for trying them.

[jackohalloran]

Had one a while ago, as i recall it was a tight draw, other than that an enjoyable smoke. full bodied very spicy which i don't usually look for in a cigar but none the less enjoyable.

[Ken Gargett]

what is the rating for worse than crap?

you planned vids of these and the monty opens on the same arvo - the fact that you forgot to bring them might just be evidence of some sort of benevolent divinity.

i can only imagine that the reason you were bringing them was that you had finally found something that might make those dire opens look good.

[Colt45]

  Ken Gargett said:

what is the rating for worse than crap?

Cuaba.

[Ken Gargett]

  Colt45 said:

Cuaba.

spot on. if they were any worse, we'd have to call them monte 'C's.

[adic88]

  Colt45 said:

Cuaba.

LOL

[adic88]

Don't think i've had one of these before. But after that review, i'll steer clear.

[Ken Gargett]

  Bster said:

Or maybe give them away, you make them sound bloody awful!

precisely. find someone you hate and give them to that person.

or just give them to telstra.

[greenpimp]

the sauvignon blanc of cigars.

[Ken Gargett]

  greenpimp said:

the sauvignon blanc of cigars.

close, but just occasionally you get a savvy that is almost drinkable.

[bassman]

Been smoking a box of 06s that have been enjoyable. Fairly mild in strength, but very spicy flavor. Perfect first cigar of the day.

[cigaraholic]

Smoked thru a great box of 05 Bele's that a merchant picked out for me so I ordered a box blind and got a nice looking box from 08 right before you pissed all over this cigar.

Haven't tried one yet but it sounds like their's hope for these sticks.

I believe that RyJ tobacco goes thru the biggest change when aged of all brands.

But I like Cuaba

[Bunker1028]

Good timing to ask Rob.

I got a box that starts off too light, and builds a 3rd in to a very solid medium or more, with rich flavors.

Towards the end it gets somewhat unruly.

For me that means more resting is required.

I've smoked thru a bunch of boxes 12 years ago that were stellar. At that time I didn;t understand aging, box codes and the like, so may have been smoking aged cigars that had the needed rest.

[maalouly]

  Ken Gargett said:

precisely. find someone you hate and give them to that person.

or just give them to telstra.

Thanks Ken that's what he will be giving me when we meet

[Ken Gargett]

  maalouly said:

Thanks Ken that's what he will be giving me when we meet

what on earth makes you think you're getting anything?

so far, you gave me a cuaba and i gave you a hoyo dieux from 2003. scales not just weighted here, they are tumbling fast.

[maalouly]

  Ken Gargett said:

close, but just occasionally you get a savvy that is almost drinkable.

What happened to the Cuaba I gave you?! I thought you love it!

[Ken Gargett]

  maalouly said:

What happened to the Cuaba I gave you?! I thought you love it!

i smoked it with you (i'm not like rob). and i did enjoy it more than any other cuaba i've ever tried, bar the LE.

[El Presidente]

I have had four R&J Belicoso over the past week.

I have never really liked them feeling that they were muted in flavour, grassy/dry at best.

Then I have a cracker of one. Lush, full mouthfeel, creamy elements, nougat toasted tobacco. Unfortunately the next three were so so at best however perhaps I have stumbled on why people do buy them and hence the question of this thread.

[partagasd4]

I love this cigar. Last time I smoked one, I smoked it until my fingers burned. Lots of great flavours. The one that sticks out in my mind is a sweet melon flavour in the final third.

[MontrealRon]

  cigaraholic said:

I believe that RyJ tobacco goes thru the biggest change when aged of all brands.

But I like Cuaba

My feelings exactly.

Cuaba, for me, is the perfecto line of R&J.

Really well aged cigars of both marcas can be excellent,

though they are often bland and harsh in their youth.

They do have a very similar profile, especially after 7 or 8 years.

I've only had a very few Belis over the years, so no valid opinion,

but many Churchills, esp. tubos. Again, best with serious aging.

These days, I often go for the Coronitas en Cedro and the Mille Fleurs.

Currently smoking '05s of each, and they are some of my favorite C&Cs.

And I also like Cuabas.

Currently smoking '01 Exclusivos (ready) and '04 Generosos (still improving).

Not had a bad one yet.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

All the RyJ Belicosos I ever had were insipid.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

  Ken Gargett said:

close, but just occasionally you get a savvy that is almost drinkable.

Sauvignon Blanc, although hardly remarkable, is more palatable than Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and most other Reds for me, at any rate.