Beneath the Band: Romeo y Julieta Tubos No 1/2/3

[El Presidente]

 

This series seeks 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 

There are no more tobacconist cigar workhorses in the Cuban cigar industry than the Romeo y Julieta Tubos No 1/No 2 and No 3. 

These three cigars sold in their millions of units each year around the world. Every tobacconist from London to Lima, be they high street or hole in the wall, would carry them. 

I think it was around 2020/21 that Habanos from time to time would be unable to supply distributors with these much loved tubos. That was the canary in the coalmine for many of within the industry. It was followed in subsequent years where other staples such as Montecristo Number 4, Montecristo Number 2 and Partagas D4 would also go missing from supply lists for a few months. 

I have always found the  Romeo y Julieta Tubos No 1/2/3 to be good, honest, Cuban cigars that rarely disappoint. I think because they were so readily available and cheap (until recently), that they are often passed over by cigar lovers. 

My major criticism is construction consistency on  these over the years. I have seen plenty of dowels in all three. 

Your thoughts on the Romeo y Julieta Tubos No 1/2/3?

 

[westg]

Love them all. Especially No 1. Blend consistently on point always. I am a fan of tubos...very practical.

[ElLoboLoco]

I smoked a #1 Tubo a few weeks back. It’s a bargain at today’s prices for what it delivers. I wished I had bought a few more 3 packs.

[Ford2112]

Never been on my radar really.

[zacca]

I’ve actually had a few 90+ pointers of these over time. Like @El Presidente said though, the issue is construction. For every great one, there’s two that are basically unsmokeable tent pegs and 3 that are completely mediocre. I still have a bunch because they’re cheap. If that changes, I have zero problem passing on them. 

[KCCubano]

4 hours ago, zacca said:

I’ve actually had a few 90+ pointers of these over time. Like @El Presidente said though, the issue is construction. For every great one, there’s two that are basically unsmokeable tent pegs and 3 that are completely mediocre. I still have a bunch because they’re cheap. If that changes, I have zero problem passing on them. 

A friend of my son was in Cuba years ago and knew I liked cigars. He brought back some 2014 No 2s. I was stunned. All in low 90 range.

[Cabbie]

Pretty much always keep some #2 tubos in my humidor, they're very delicate though, due to their wrappers. I enjoy them though, profile is always consistent and smoking is a pleasure.

[Khimerah]

I have a box of the no 2s from SEP 2024 that I’ve been trying over the past year and have been smoking well. I think depending on the price you can find them at they tend to be a great value for Cubans. I usually get that cedar and floral RyJ flavor profile that really got me into Cubans. I recently got a box of the Mille Fleurs to compare the two but I am a big fan of the no 2s. 

[Dadof3]

They strike me as a bit of apples and oranges. Each of them strike me a bit differently. As marevas go they are pretty good.