Romeo y Julieta Petit Royale XXX JUN 19 (XNYRC)

[BlueRidgeFly]

I would have gone fishing if I hadn't spent most of the day running errands. How about a small smoke? 

Didn't get the box code completely, something-JUN-19 is what I thought I remembered. This thing is really short, looks to be a brief experience. This is my first RyJ ever, first FOH review. The wrapper is slightly cracked above the band but is a beautiful color, noticeably lighter than the rest of the 24:24 quarter box acquired several weeks back. If it were a horse, it might be close to sorrel. I rode a horse once. A half-ton of muscle and no kill switch was all I could think about. Haven't tried it again.

First third - Starts off with a pungent woodiness and almost exotic spice, creamy from the first puff, almonds, tangy fruit like a berry. Wonderful perfume aroma, never experienced that before, in a cigar. Burn is all over the place. Touch ups galore. Suspect this might be the theme of today's RYJPR.

Second third - It's going slowly, a nice surprise. Flavors are delicate: sandalwood, tangy fruit, pound cake, almonds have morphed into a faint marzipan under all of this. No lingering aftertaste, clean. That clean finish seems to be a characteristic of most of the other (relatively few compared to many of you) Cuban maracas I've tried. This is the thing I generally notice compared to many NCs.

Rustling in the woods is a very small raccoon. Here he comes. Here he is. Cute, but he'll become a large raccoon. I toss a rock near him to shoo him off. He turns and now I see he's with three others. They all lumber off together. A few years ago I had an encounter with one of their ancestors on the deck around midnight. It had pulled the bird feeder over to the rail and was eating all the seed. I grabbed a long stick and stepped outside to discourage it. Instead of high tailing it away, he calmly shifted to the other side of the post holding up the feeder, where I couldn't reach him. Just kept eating, basically flipping me the bird. Had to admire that. I went back to bed.

Final third - Wow, this is nice ?... Butter cookie, toasted wood, shortbread, caramel, cream, and some anise. It has gotten richer but still has this overall delicate profile. A peppery quality arrives on the lips, then on the palate. It comes and goes near the end. Not unpleasant, but doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the flavors, making me think this is a symptom of being too fresh. The damn burn issues, though. This thing is haywire. A steady-burning core of tasty tobacco in a reluctant wrapper, what a bummer. The fruit flavor returns as wood and cherry. Still has a wonderful perfume aroma.

Maybe this six-month-old stick with thirty days rest just ain't ready yet, but I'll take this over the Four Kicks Maduro I had yesterday. That was not bad. It was one of two I got, been in the Igloo-a-door for six months, less meh than the first I tried a few months ago. Compared to this RyJ though, nothing but meh remains of the memories of those.

Finish - Just about an hour. I lob the nub into the glowing coals of the fire pit. It taunts me by burning perfectly. Despite the stubborn burn issues this was really good, 90/100. I'm looking forward to seeing how the next of the remaining five smoke in 2020, with more rest and post-winter conditions.

[RDB]

Hey, really good first review. Post more! I am guessing you work in food and drink... or just like eating and drinking a lot. Cool woods view too.

[BlueRidgeFly]

Thanks, RDB. I just like eating and drinking, cigars too ?

[Ry27]

You must be an author...

[leapingknown]

Young cigar. Really like these.

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