Romeo y Julieta Churchill A/T Circa 2005

[Colt45]

More of an overview / observation...

Preface: I acquired a half dozen of these a few years back, and have smoked a few - the last being

roughly a year ago. In general, I've found them enjoyable enough, but rather dry, woody, and tannic -

at times bitingly so - with a very dry finish.

Today's Sample: What a difference a little time can make. A very earthy core, still showing wood

and tannin, but now smoother and more integrated. Overall much fuller, with a much richer finish,

which while still of wood with some tannin, is much thicker with a creamier mouth feel.

Lots of black pepper, some showing of fruit, and an overlay of anise / licorice. Overall it is smooth,

though there is always the structural tannin. In the middle section, there is a strong showing of thick,

spicy mole sauce, which I really enjoy. It fairly full bodied with an underlying power.

With about two inches to go, it turned into an earthy black pepper monster - almost unbearably spicy.

I hope more time will further smooth and integrate this cigar - I'll try another next year.

Overall, in a blind tasting, I doubt this could be confused with any other churchill. A great cigar.

I'm shown once again that starting with a high quality cigar, and allowing it time to mature, often

leads to a rewarding experience.

Last but not least, this cigar was very wll constructed, with no anomalies. A nearly flawless colorado

wrapper which was silky to the touch, had minimal veining, and a very nice uniform sheen. Luxurious

draw, excellent burn, and fantastic smoke volume.

A beautiful cigar to all the senses.

[anacostiakat]

Surprising review. Because of the profile not the review. :-D

The last tubo of these that I smoked were from a 3 pack bonus. So I dont know the box code. But they were a shadow of the late nineties releases that I have enjoyed so much.

I have never gotten that profile from one of these. Definitely interesting. . .

Thanks!

[havanaclub7]

» Surprising review. Because of the profile not the review. :-D

»

» The last tubo of these that I smoked were from a 3 pack bonus. So I dont

» know the box code. But they were a shadow of the late nineties releases

» that I have enjoyed so much.

»

» I have never gotten that profile from one of these. Definitely

» interesting. . .

»

» Thanks!

I agree with you completely. The last few RyJ Churchills I've had were very dull and bland cigars. Not the flavor bombs Colt describes. Very interesting review!

[tigger]

Very nice review!

Makes me think I should try mine from the same timeframe again. The few I've tried so far have been dogs.

Not my favorite cigar by far, but this particular box has been boring and tannic.

Yep, I'll hafta give them another shot. :-)

[El Presidente]

Very good Colt

I was a tad disappointed with my 05 R&J Ch but you have given me cause for hope and the excuse to revisit.

[greenpimp]

Great review. Very interesting. I have most of a box left from 04. Gorgeous, perfectly constructed, very boring cigars.

Of course I haven't had one for a couple years. May have to revisit.

[Colt45]

I'm with you guys - I thought that once I was finished with this batch, I would not bother with

this cigar again. I may have to reconsider, but we shall see.

For those who care about such things, the tube had a screw on cap at the foot, and eight

segments at the head.

[tigger]

» For those who care about such things, the tube had a screw on cap at the

» foot, and eight

» segments at the head.

[Tampa1257]

Very nice review. I too was surprised by the tasting, the RyJ Churchill for me has been a disappointment for the last few years, (Basically since 2003), to find earth, and especially black pepper along with the spice is what I found surprising. I have a couple of A/T RyJ Churchills stashed away in the humidor (Off the top of my head I do not remember the dates) and I think I need to re-visit them for a comparison now.

Thanks for the review Colt!

[cohiba]

I have several 05 A/T tubes i think i will visit them also. Would love to hear from others how they are coming along.

Anyone had some aged examples from 2001? Your input experience would be nice to hear. I think my first one was a tubed version from 2001. Several years ago they were awesome! How are they now?

[Colt45]

I hope if you guys do decide to try one that you'll post your thoughts - I'd be interested

to hear what others think.

[cohiba]

Well Colt i wand to follow through with my 2005 RyJ Churhill.

Smoked it last saturday night SVF DIC05

When i receive tubed cigard i typically write the box code information on the bottome and then rate them with a dot or two depending on what i notice while looking at them. Makes for a quick pick without opening all the tubes. This one had 3 dots (mean something good is inside)! Opening it,this was the perfect dark oiling redish wrapper i have come to love in this cigar.

Wow it smoked well from start to finish slightly tannic but overall excellent RyJ qualities with excellant tobacco taste. The aroma made me settle into my patio chair and RELAX. I havent had a good RyJ churchill in a long time, i actually gave up on them, till your review. I have some 2001 aged stock heading my way and hope for the best from these as well. I will let the other 8-10 sticks rest another 6 months or so then dive back in. Thanks for your review that lead me to a wonderfu; evening of music, drink and a Wonderful cigar!

[greenpimp]

Well Colt I had one of my 2004's yesterday. And overall I was surprised by how much it didn't suck.

The smoking performance was exemplary, perfect draw, burn, combustion, even though I was busy for the first half. Of course this was never the issue, the others I've had were quite well constructed.

The flavor has improved considerably, with good notes of milk chocolate, some roasted coffee bean, a bit of floral action in the middle and some actual pleasant earthiness in the second half. Strength had increased to medium, and the harshness noted a couple years ago had morphed into the earthiness, it seems.

All in all quite pleasant, I would say an 88 or so. Some room for improvement still, though I don't think these will ever be great. Perhaps a couple points nudge upwards in a couple years time. But overall improved and enjoyable. Quite surprising, considering how angry they made me every other time I had smoked them.

[Colt45]

Hey guys, thanks for the follow-ups. I'm glad you found these latest samples to be enjoyable.

These seem to be a cigar that needs to be put away and left alone for some time.

[Shooter]

» » These seem to be a cigar that needs to be put away and left alone

» for some time.

I picked-up a 10-pack of tubed RyJ Churchills ('04 production) and vowed I'd open the box on my daughter's wedding day--to share with friends. Being she's only 5 now I figure they'll either be "Heavenly" or past their prime 15-20 years from now!!

Is that too long--even for a tubed cigar??

[shrink]

Hey, Colt...

Are you sure that someone didn't slip a Cazadore in there?

[Colt45]

» » » These seem to be a cigar that needs to be put away and left

» alone

» » for some time.

»

» I picked-up a 10-pack of tubed RyJ Churchills ('04 production) and vowed

» I'd open the box on my daughter's wedding day--to share with friends.

» Being she's only 5 now I figure they'll either be "Heavenly" or past their

» prime 15-20 years from now!!

»

» Is that too long--even for a tubed cigar??

Shooter, I just caught this while doing a search. While purely conjecture on my part,

if well made to begin with, I feel they'd probably hold for that long.

Shrink, given how this one finished, you might be right :-)

[monte d]

» had a box of may 07 tubos recently....with the new style tubes.

quite strong yet rich and enjoyable.

never got to age any due to friends coming over all the time.

i prefer the untubed actually, because they seem a little smoother although a bit milder and less spicy.