Cigar Reviewed: Romeo y Julieta Aniversario

Smoked at: Minnesota

Romeo y Julieta has been one of my favorite legacy cigarmakers since I first started enjoying cigars about 25 years ago. Their lineup has always been top choice, with beautiful construction, outstanding flavor profiles, and luxurious branding. This guy is a great example of that commitment to quality.

Inside a gorgeous Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper is a complex, bold, and slightly peppery blend with plenty of earthtones, a little liquorice, and cedar. The construction is perfect and the heavy white ash clings to the end of the cigar like an outstretched finger.

The cedar and spice picks up a bit in the middle third, melding nicely in a swirl of buttery cream and nicotine. The ash hangs on to the halfway point. The aftertaste is pronounced but does not command a quenching sip of refreshment. Finally, the heavy ash pile takes a tumble as we approach the label.

The pepper lightens down the stretch, the buttery draw getting woodier. There hasn't been a harsh note to speak of. This is a fantastic blend. The smoke is majestic and lingers just a bit without billowing. As an anniversary edition, this is an outstanding representation of RyJ craftsmanship.

Hints of sweetness give way to earth and a return of pepper in the last third. A little spice comes in, but does not attack the palate. This cigar was not made to overwhelm. Pure enjoyment from foot to cap.

This is a smoke I will definitely go back to.