Smoked: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Twisted

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

Always on the lookout for medium-mild morning coffee cigars, my tobacconist recommended trying the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Twisted – a barber poll of Connecticut shade & a habano wrapper. Looked interesting. I trust Jay’s suggestions on cigars. So let’s put it to the morning coffee test.

Pairing it with a Costa Rican, the RyJ Twisted comes charging out of the gate with creaminess, chocolate, spice, serious cedar, cashews, touch of light coffee notes and a slight hint of pepper. There is more general sweetness to the stick as you wind through the final third as well as the cashew taste giving way to a more almond taste. The retrohale is unusual - toast, bread dough, mild spice (maybe nutmeg) and a touch of pepper.

The burn line was lopsided throughout the smoke. My torch got a workout with touchups. The grey ash was a little flaky but not a big problem. This stick had ample smoke output.

I hadn’t smoked a barber pole in many years. You would think you’d get a slight change in the flavors as you alternate between the shade and the habano on the barber pole but the wrappers sort of work in tandem to add complexity instead. It remains a medium-mild bodied and strength cigar. The Twisted is interesting and enjoyable. It’s not complex but includes very nice flavors that just work quite nicely together. The Romeo y Julieta Twisted is a good coffee cigar and a good beginner’s cigar.