Beneath the Band: Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion Number 4

[El Presidente]

 

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion Number 4 

Do you have a cigar in your lifetime that has taken you to the heights of brilliance!......and on other occasions they struggle to hit an 86-88 rating? In my 30 years in the trade, in the hobby, I have never found another cigar that can reach such heights and yet disappoint so regularly. Don't get me wrong, I can generally pick superb R&JE4. Reddish  wrappers, fruity aroma/barnyard at cold, feel good in the hand. 8-10 are spot on. Still I will pick R&J E4 on my travels with a paperbark wrapper, muted aroma and while some may surprise, most fail. This is only my experience people and I am no prophet. 

This cigar for me is a chameleon. For consistency, I suspect it's R&J Short Churchill brother beats it hands down in terms of utility consistency.  However....when on song, no R&J Short Churchill can come close to the perfect Romeo Y Julieta Exhibicion no 4.  There have been some beautiful runs of Exhibicion no 4 production over the years. Never discount them. Your best box codes?

Have your say! 

 

[griller]

You nailed this one, Rob. You experience mirrors mine exactly. When on, they can be tremendous, but it's a lottery when you light one up whether or not that's the journey you'll get...

The RyJ Short Churchill is one of my favs once they get some age. Seems like once they hit 4+ years rewards start to manifest. Given the choice side by side between these two, I'll probably opt for the Short Churchill 80% of the time.

[BrightonCorgi]

I've had two boxes, both brilliant so my experience is that it's a phenomenal cigar and one I am active on finding a new one (hint. hint @El Presidente). Rosado wrapper being key. Then again, rosado wrappers on any cigar and sign me up. I'll say the same exact thing with RyJ Belicoso too.

[cnov]

I'm only a quarter of way through my first box and it's been brilliant. Very light but interesting. I don't get cherry personally but a rose water, Turkish delight nuance that I really enjoy. A cigar with a good aftertaste in my experience. 

[Lucas Buck]

Personal favorite since I started smoking from my first ‘02 box. When the ‘02s ran dry and the ‘03s underwhelmed bought a ton of ‘04 which are among the best cigars I’ve ever smoked. Was never able to secure a cab which vexed me no end. Bought a fiver here and there of round cab Exhi4 from generous BOTL and enjoyed them thoroughly. They do range from phenomenal to very good though. Not terribly consistent as I’ve had a few duds. 

[Connoisseur Kim]

Although it's a heavily wrapper shade dependent cigar (I also think that the Rosado wrapper is the key ingredient for legit RyJ cherry ride), I find this Corona Extra is one of the tasty thick RG CCs when it's on. It packs with signature medium RyJ cherry, vetiver, fruit, earth, milk chocolate, leather, floral, cocoa, anise, and rosewater flavour which makes it a perfect pairing for cognac IMHO.

[JohnS]

I agree, you need these with nice rosado wrappers and then hope that they are nicely balanced in flavours. It doesn't always happen. I have a box from 2018. They've been quite nice, but I remember the POU Jun '13 was the 'creme de la creme' by comparison.