Romeo y Julieta Belicoso Nov 05/Apr 06

[greenpimp]

» Inane, pitiful, insipid, weak, gutless, one dimensional crap.

LOL! Sounds exactly like my six year old box of RyJ Belis.

Has this cigar ever been good?

[Colt45]

I went back and re-read the New Cigar Process thread in the Classic Posts forum after

reading this candid review - thanks. I don't know if this cigar's blend came about the

same way, or if it has changed over time - But I have to ask: why would they choose

such a blend? How is it allowed to happen? It really is a curiosity for me.

Do they have bookkeepers (no offense) making some of these blend assessments?

I've only ever tried one, and all I remember is that it was it was nothing special.

Perhaps they might revisit this blend?

[El Presidente]

I have a theory Colt. Just trying to see if I can put any weight on the bones.

[stever]

Rob, I completely agree with your assessment. Truly a worthless habanos. Such a shame for such a reputable marque.

[strayvector]

I've only ever had one of these and was not impressed. Pretty much captured my experience, Rob. Complete boredom.

[bassman]

Limited experience with these. Smoked a couple 02s that were completely devoid of flavor, but bought a couple early 05s when in Bermuda that were total spice bombs. Given that inconsistancy, I wouldn't risk my money on a whole box.

[El Presidente]

Yesterday I test tasted a Romeo y Julieta Belicoso from Nov 05 and this morning with my coffee on the deck I test run an ROA April 06 box just to see if there was any change in blend. There wasn't, both cigars could have come out of the same box as the flavour profile was a mirror image.

Good looking cigar. The Nov 05 was oily and well rolled. Visually immaculate. The April 06 was a lighter shade wrapper, not visually as nice, less oil to the touch. Construction on both was near perfect. The pictures are from the April 06.

Smell at cold was light sweet spice. Clipped the cap and the draw was spot on perfect. Cherry sweetness intermeshed with fine quality tobacco on the lips.

Torched the foot and the Belicoso came to life in a showcase of white smoke. Very light bodied, no spice through the nose. Dry palate, papery/thin flavour composition ala some recent Cuaba's I would rather not talk about. Green tea notes, a hint of that famed R&J Cherry but more like a tease at this point in time. Very little to talk about in the opening third. Muted flavours encased in a papery/powdery texture. Disappointing opening.

I have been to primary school Christmas concerts which were more entertaining than this. You know the ones....you wait an hour for a 5 minute glimpse of your son dressed as an elf...while enduring a further 2 hours of every other class butchering every Christmas song known to man while mothers and fathers everywhere step on your toes while trying to take a picture of "little johnny" from 40 metres away using a 3x zoom digital camera.....in the dark These concerts weren't so bad until the Principal made them a "dry" event. I always assumed Fred worked on the theory that if he had to suffer...so did we. Anyway I digress.....

Well I will call it as I see it. The Romeo y Julieta Belicoso is a flop. Inane, pitiful, insipid, weak, gutless, one dimensional crap.

The only positive feature was that it was consistent in its mediocrity. How in blazers a blender could inflict this dribble on Habanos lovers is beyond me. There were few redeeming features. In the last third the body increased from light to almost medium but it was no Tsunami to the taste buds. More like a ripple in the bath tub.

The most disappointing aspect was that thin papery flavour profile. I can only assume that the blender is allergic to Ligero and hope to God that he is removed from his exhaulted station forthwith.

This should be one of the greats. It could be one of the greats but not with the current blend. This cigar is disappointing now, will be disappointing in 3 years and 5 years and 10.

Save your money. If you want to experience the R&J Belicoso go roll up a portion of newspaper and light it. If you achieve any flavour then use less newspaper and you will match the Belicoso profile to a "T".

80/100 2/6 Smokerings.