CNY - Romeo y Julieta Capuletos EL - MEG SEP 16

dangolf18 · December 31, 2017

Happy New Year all!

I'm writing for review today a Romeo Y Julieta Capuletos, one of the 3 Edicion Limitadas released in 2016 (the Montecristo Dantes and the Trinidad Topes being the other two).

Color/draw: Dark golden colorado wrapper, veiny wrapper, medium sheen.

First third: I'm finding classic Romeo y Julieta flavors (as you might find in the Churchill series). Predominant notes of rich double cream, espresso, barnyard/hay, dark red fruit (sour/dry cherries). The strength is medium bodied and the cigar is producing plentiful amounts of white smoke.

Second third: Developing into a more full-bodied cigar with the same notes of hay, cream, leather, chocolate, and espresso. I am detecting a few citrus notes (lemon peel, bitter orange, blood orange). This is reminding me a lot of the 2013 RyJ De Luxe Edicion Limitada, albeit slightly less refined on the palate. I believe this cigar would go well with a good Islay whisky, brandy, or bourbon. A nice sweet, oaky bourbon would compliment the rich flavor profile. Personally I'd go with cognac or a nice pour of top-shelf bourbon.

Final third: Not much different than the previous third, although I'm getting a bit of black pepper and the flavor of charred/cooked meat. Dark leather notes have picked up a bit and I'm getting some bitter chocolate notes as well. I think the cigar's youth is really showing as these flavors can be considered tannic and signs that the cigar needs more aging. Also I thought I'd mention the construction. The draw and burn have been excellent since the first puff. Pretty consistent with the construction trend of [cuban] cigars made today.

Overall impression: 92/100. This is a fine cigar and any Romeo y Julieta fan will be very happy. For me, smoking this cigar today is akin to infanticide...that is, these will only get much better down the line. I think these will hit their stride in 7-10 years and should be a 94-96 point cigar. For the money, I'd much rather pick a box of Short Churchills with a few years of age. Or you can even pick up the 2013 Romeo y Julieta De Luxe for less than these cost. All in all, if you like Romeo y Julieta, sample a few of these for yourself. And if you like rich, gung-ho in your face smokes, you'll probably dig these as well. Try a few, albeit I think the Montecristo Dantes was a better smoke for the 2016 ELs (I have not sampled the Topes yet, but I've heard they are stellar).

Thanks for reading!

Dan