Pre-light Experience

Visually, this is a very inviting cigar. The seams are tight with minimal veins visible. The double banded wrapper has a little tooth to it and gives up an earthy barnyard along the length with a bit of chocolate at the foot. The cold draw produces a nice mature cedar and leather.

First Third

Muted cedar mixes well with the leather from the cold draw. Also noticeable is some sweet tobacco while a peppery cedar hits the nose on the retrohale. From the start, the profile achieves a near perfect balance. Midway through, a nuttiness develops and moves the cedar into the background. The leather works to keep the flavors smooth as the tobacco adds a touch of sweetness. The flavors are not particularly special, but good none the less.

Second Third

The wood notes shift to a mixture of oak and cedar. The hardwood provides some depth and pairs well with the tobacco. Leather remains in the background and keeps the cedar from overpowering the profile. There is not much change for most of this third until near the end. Grasses begin to develop and elevate the cedar. The oak eventually fades, taking the richness with it. Again, the balance is spot on.

Final Third

The grasses developing in the previous third ramp up noticeably. Unfortunately, it adds a dryness to the smoke and is not one of my wheelhouse flavors. Some toast makes an appearance and offers the promise of an added dimension, but it is short lived. Eventually the leather fades and cedar overtakes the profile. It’s a disappointing end to an otherwise flavorful cigar.

Burn

This one went out on me once which required a re-light, plus an additional touch-up. Otherwise it performed nicely on a rather breezy day. A nice flaky ash and decent smoke production.

Draw

A near perfect consistent draw with the right amount of resistance for my liking.

Overall

While the first two thirds were good, the flavors were pretty basic, albeit well balanced. I appreciated the transition from cedar to oak but the development of the grasses didn’t work particularly well with the ever present tobacco and leather. The final third was a let down for my palate. Had the toast developed more, it would have created some richness to offset the dry grass and cedar flavors.

Gregg Kramer

SCORE

5.93

Cost/Point

N/A

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Edición Limitada 2004