Romeo y Julieta Tacos EL 2018 unknown (RJE4RW)

[MountainMilG]

I got this as part of a sampler from here by winning something or other.  I debated reviewing a Petit Royale, I have a box that I've been enjoying, but it was a bit of celebration - new job and I wanted to sit on the porch and enjoy a longer smoke.  Longer was definitely part of it, just shy of two hours to smoke it.

Great construction, great sheen, overall looks and smells great.  V cut, toast, light and away we go.  I don't get tons of flavors or changes throughout.  For the most part it's a good even burn, but there's a point in the middle that I need to touch up a bit and relight, and towards the last third a tad of an uneven part (Can see in one of the pics below).  Unfortunately I think I just tried this too early.  The biggest thing I got was woodiness, cedar, perhaps in the last third a hint of some sweetness, almost caramel, but the predominant experience throughout is very nice smoke and a woody flavor.

Not very RyJ to my taste.  Zero cherry, zero changes.  I just think it's early.  I'm not sure how much longer they should sleep, but I think at least a few more years.  I'd absolutely pick up a box of 1/4 of these, but for the first time for me I think it's a must to not touch, put it in the back of the humidor and forget about them for awhile.  Very good smoke, just not that complex.  87-88.

 

[SansSin]

that sucks it still needed more time. i have a 6 pack of these i've been debating trying but after reading this i think i'll give them a couple years before i try one 

[Guest Nekhyludov]

It seems to me that ELs need a really long rest. Where regular production might be good at 3 years and peak at 5, ELs aren't even worth touching for 5+ years. I suspect it's due to the thick, dark wrappers.

[Ry27]

6 hours ago, Nekhyludov said:

It seems to me that ELs need a really long rest. Where regular production might be good at 3 years and peak at 5, ELs aren't even worth touching for 5+ years. I suspect it's due to the thick, dark wrappers.

totally agree, most seem to have dark thick wrappers

[Piligrim]

still haven't tried. keeping those rest

[Riverstyx]

I smoked one for the review but didn’t find the time to write it up. I’ve had several and they’ve all been very good to me. In general, I agree about the EL program but these taste straight RyJ to me. Still probably not worth the premium tho.