Romeo y Julieta Escudos Edicion Limitada 2007

[Mike33]

Thanks for the review and pics Rob. They look very nice, however, I absolutely hate the dress box :-(

Off topic, but have you heard when the Trinidad EL is going to be hitting shelves? I am VERY excited about it and can't wait to get a couple of boxes

[El Presidente]

» Thanks for the review and pics Rob. They look very nice, however, I

» absolutely hate the dress box :-(

»

» Off topic, but have you heard when the Trinidad EL is going to be hitting

» shelves? I am VERY excited about it and can't wait to get a couple of

» boxes

Not on the current Horizon from what I can see in HSA. Looks like a last quarter.

[shrink]

These look similar in appearance to the Hermosos #2, and judging from your review, are similar in blend as well. I am assuming that, unlike the Hermosos, these are rolled from aged fillers, which would help explain their smoothness and lack of youthful 'edge'. I wonder how aged filler will affect the longer term aging potential vis-a-vis the Hermosos (BTW, mine are going through something of a 'sick' period lately).

Again, thanks for your candid assessment.

[CIGARMASK]

Thanks for the review and images. How would you compare this with an aged E4 or Short Churchills or the LE Robustos 2001?;-)

[Moglman]

Thank you for the review Rob. This really makes me think. I always buy with an intent to age. The prices Habanos SA is setting for the ELs and RRs are getting insane, but it is a business. All of the great Regionals and all of the fair ELs (and the once fireproof wrappers) tells me where to spend my money. There seems to be a turnaround but am not sure that reality matches public perception, even for a cigar meant to be aged a half decade.

[El Presidente]

» These look similar in appearance to the Hermosos #2, and judging from your

» review, are similar in blend as well. I am assuming that, unlike the

» Hermosos, these are rolled from aged fillers, which would help explain

» their smoothness and lack of youthful 'edge'. I wonder how aged filler

» will affect the longer term aging potential vis-a-vis the Hermosos (BTW,

» mine are going through something of a 'sick' period lately).

»

» Again, thanks for your candid assessment.

Keep in mind the filler and wrapper in these are aged for two years. Big deal. It is more marketing hype than anything else.

Whether leaf is being aged in a bale....or in your cigar....I wonder if it really matters longterm. Sure it matters in terms of smokeability of the cigar in its early days....but long term? I can't see why.

[El Presidente]

» Thank you for the review Rob. This really makes me think. I always buy

» with an intent to age. The prices Habanos SA is setting for the ELs and

» RRs are getting insane, but it is a business. All of the great Regionals

» and all of the fair ELs (and the once fireproof wrappers) tells me where

» to spend my money. There seems to be a turnaround but am not sure that

» reality matches public perception, even for a cigar meant to be aged a

» half decade.

I know Habanos s.a would point to the US market as to prices of OPUS, Padron Anni 1926, even Greycliffe. Many have no problem forking out coin for $15, $20, $25, $30 cigars in the US but scream at Habanos prices.

HSA wold say you have other options (both Cuban and non Cuban). Feel free to pursue them but the math doesn't make sense. LE and RR (and Cohiba Maduro 5)should be worth the same or more than OPUS X and Padron Anny 1926.

[El Presidente]

» Thanks for the review and images. How would you compare this with an aged

» E4 or Short Churchills or the LE Robustos 2001?;-)

Way too early to tell. It has no resemblance to the E4 or R&J SC. It is a fuller but not as complete cigar (balanced) as the EL Robusto. This is to be expected given the EL Robusto is now a 6 year old cigar.

[Moglman]

» » Thank you for the review Rob. This really makes me think. I always buy

» » with an intent to age. The prices Habanos SA is setting for the ELs

» and

» » RRs are getting insane, but it is a business. All of the great

» Regionals

» » and all of the fair ELs (and the once fireproof wrappers) tells me

» where

» » to spend my money. There seems to be a turnaround but am not sure that

» » reality matches public perception, even for a cigar meant to be aged a

» » half decade.

»

» I know Habanos s.a would point to the US market as to prices of OPUS,

» Padron Anni 1926, even Greycliffe. Many have no problem forking out coin

» for $15, $20, $25, $30 cigars in the US but scream at Habanos prices.

»

» HSA wold say you have other options (both Cuban and non Cuban). Feel free

» to pursue them but the math doesn't make sense. LE and RR (and Cohiba

» Maduro 5)should be worth the same or more than OPUS X and Padron Anny

» 1926.

I don't doubt the market (and the math) fully supports the decisions, and I've never had a problem with either paying for quality product nor with HSA running the business as they see fit. The prices of limited-run cigars is getting higher, and I'm happy the quality and value is there. For me, there is more need now to judge the value, and your straight forward reviews, along with those of other experienced lovers of the leaf, are a very good tool in the tool box allowing those decisions. I thank you once again, Rob.

[El Presidente]

I don't doubt the market (and the math) fully supports the decisions, and

» I've never had a problem with either paying for quality product nor with

» HSA running the business as they see fit. The prices of limited-run

» cigars is getting higher, and I'm happy the quality and value is there.

» For me, there is more need now to judge the value, and your straight

» forward reviews, along with those of other experienced lovers of the leaf,

» are a very good tool in the tool box allowing those decisions. I thank you

» once again, Rob.

I have to say that I do not keep all EL in my personal humidor. Some just suck.

I think Habanos s.a initially mispriced the LE. They positioned it as a % higher than standard lines and not as an item positioned against the best fof the best of global greats. The price correction has been painfull for all.

If the cigar justifies it...I will pay. If it doesn't I will tell them to lift their game and move on.

[Colt45]

» I know Habanos s.a would point to the US market as to prices of OPUS,

» Padron Anni 1926, even Greycliffe. Many have no problem forking out coin

» for $15, $20, $25, $30 cigars in the US but scream at Habanos prices.

»

In my opinion, a great analogy - I feel the high end Padrons, and especially the Opus

X are over-hyped and over priced. I smoked my last perfecxion No.2 a month or so

ago, and I'm glad to be done with them - I'll never buy another.

I think the Padrons are better, but still not worth the premium. But they do show great

quality of construction. But then again, I've had two dollar NC cigars that are equal

construction-wise.

So what's my point? I guess that for some, price will always be irrelevant, while for

others the ceiling keeps getting closer.

[El Presidente]

» So what's my point? I guess that for some, price will always be

» irrelevant, while for

» others the ceiling keeps getting closer.

Bloody well said. I have stated time and again within HSA that the headlong rush with high priced LE and RR is fine but there needs to be other releases which are for the average man.

They point to the R&J Short Churchill, Monte Edmundo, Monte Petit Edmundo etc.

I think most of you know what my impressions were regarding the Cohiba Behike. It was a disgrace and a slap in the face to all who support Cohiba. When stated at a meeting in Havana, there was some heated discussion.

HSA understand the point being made. They don't agree with it entirely as they point to the sales no's. However there is an acceptance that they need to keep their existing zealots.

[pnutbutrsangwich]

» » I know Habanos s.a would point to the US market as to prices of OPUS,

» » Padron Anni 1926, even Greycliffe. Many have no problem forking out

» coin

» » for $15, $20, $25, $30 cigars in the US but scream at Habanos prices.

» »

» In my opinion, a great analogy - I feel the high end Padrons, and

» especially the Opus

» X are over-hyped and over priced. I smoked my last perfecxion No.2 a month

» or so

» ago, and I'm glad to be done with them - I'll never buy another.

» I think the Padrons are better, but still not worth the premium. But they

» do show great

» quality of construction. But then again, I've had two dollar NC cigars

» that are equal

» construction-wise.

» So what's my point? I guess that for some, price will always be

» irrelevant, while for

» others the ceiling keeps getting closer.

I think that one of the reasons why people gnash teeth and wring hands at the prices is primarily because there are additional costs to US smokers if they're interested in smoking Habanos. Not only are international shipping rates very expensive (unless your vendor is nice enough to throw it in gratis :-D ), but also there is the risk that you'll be caught doing something illegal. When the monetary costs of the cigars themselves even out more, justifying the risk becomes more difficult. I don't necessarily subscribe to this school of though, but it's just a thought that crossed my mind in this regard.

[Colt45]

» I think that one of the reasons why people gnash teeth and wring hands at

» the prices is primarily because there are additional costs to US smokers

» if they're interested in smoking Habanos.

»

First, I don't mean to sound like I'm having a whinge with this - I understand that

prices go up, supply and demand, return on investment, etc.

Second, though I know I don't need to make the disclaimer, I just want to be clear

that I'm not, in any way, shape, or form, taking aim at our malevolent host.

That out of the way, I've not given much thought to the U.S. aspect with regard to

prices. Even taking ELs and REs out of the equation, it just seems that the

difference in the price of a box of cigars from two years, or even a year ago,

compared to that same box today, is a bit dramatic - we light these things on fire!

The ELs and REs are another chapter. We can and have had discussions on their

value, effect on regular production, etc.

[El Presidente]

Coly, in no way have I taken offence at anything you have said. Hell, you make some valid points.

Keep this in mind however. Over the past 24 months,The US$ has dropped 19% in value against the AUD and similarly against the Euro. Over the past 4 years it has dropped 35% against the AUD. The USD had been the benchmark currency for international pricing for all goods.

[El Presidente]

Romeo y Julieta Escudos Edicion Limitada 2007

OEB MAY 07

50 x 141 mm

***note. I have smoked three of the Escudo's. Initially one out of the box and then two which I dry boxed for 48 hours. The dryboxing made all the difference. The review is from the first Escudo I smoked, the following two were certainly more enjoyable in the opening two thirds but my point score and comments remain applicable.****

Opening the box of these R&J you first notice the oiliness of the wrappers. The other thig you notice is the patchwork nature of the wrappers...they are not super smooth....slighlty chunky with some showing more vein than others. There is an intense cherry/cocoa sweetness emanating from the box.

Big weight in the hand. Wondering on the moisture content of these. No doubt a month or so at 65% RH will benefit them enormously. Clipped the cap and took a prelight draw. Almost a cherry cordial note to them. Draw is spot on requiring a small pull.

Torched the foot, lots of white smoke. Soft opening, good spice through the nose but not overwhelming. The palate senses some light cocoa note, a hint of cherry but little else. Body is light medium at the opening.

Meandering slow burning cigar. The aroma is excellent if hard to describe. Sweet toasted tobacco. Ash is flaky and grey white. Power increasing to solid mid body. Pepper spice through the nose is softer now, more elegant.

Into the second third and there are more distinct coffee cocoa notes but they are muted in that you really have to search for them. In no way are the flavours in this cigar making a statement. At the same time the cigar is as smooth as smooth can be. No harshness, no ammonia that I can detect.

Into the last third and the body kicks into a slightly fuller than medium format. More woody notes acompanied by malt. Elements of cocoa persist. This is now a more balanced cigar, more complex and satisfying. I am enjoying the interplay between the drier wood characters, the mid palate malt and the sweeter edge of the cocoa. Similar to the introduction of a quality subwoofer (wood) to accompany decent speakers (malt) and high end tweeters (cocoa).

The Romeo y Julieta is now "meaty" has a solid core of serious flavours and has gone from an "OK" cigar to a "Very Good" cigar.

The question is...where will it go from here? I think part of the answer comes from two previous Romeo y Julieta releases in the Edicion Limitada Hermoso No 1 and Hermoso No 2. When they first appeared they were very similar in profile to the current Escudo. They were a little muddled, a little muted in flavour and overall a little confused. They both improved immensely with a little age although I still think that the Hermoso No 2 is superior to the Hermoso No 1 in terms of flavour complexity. The Hermoso No 2 has developed into a hedonistically rich flavoured cigar, cherry, raisins, cocoa and it is one cigar that I wish I had retained more of for personal consumption. I misread the ageing capability/potential of that cigar and it is a mistake that I do not want to repaet again. Based on the remarkable flavour similarities between the initial Hermoso No 2 and the Escudos, I will keep three boxes in deep storage for myself. I know it will take three years for the Escudo to commence reaching its zenith...but I would rank the Hermoso No 2 a 94 cigar today and see the same for the Escudo in the years to come.

Today I would rank it a solid 88 4/6 smokerings. It took way too long to reach a point where it commanded my sensory attention. However I know it is a sleeper and I will not be caught out again.