Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas EMA Jun 07

[soltino]

I read Taino's get review of this little cigar and suddenly remembered that I had a box of these tucked away in the humidor as well! I dug it out and lo and behold, it was the same box code too. So I decided to have one with my Sunday morning coffee

The construction was pretty good but I have to admit that the girth of these cigars does tend to vary - in my box I had some that look more like minis, and then some that were bordering on a 32 ring gauge! I chose one 'pin the tail on the donkey' style and away we went.

Draw was a touch on the tight side but revealed some nice, clean, mild tobacco flavours. She took to flame perfectly and the first few draws were very welcoming - milk coffee, hints of chocolate, and a mildly nutty aftertaste. Very enjoyable.

The first half kept up the same profile, but became a little tough on the draw. A few rolls between the fingers and thumb resolved this and I advanced past the half way mark. The second half picked up in strength a little but the core of mild tobacco, nuts and gentle cocoa remained through to the end. A build up of tar was also relieved by another snip with the clippers.

All in all a very enjoyable cigar and I totally agree with Taino's comment that this is a morning cigar to have with your coffee. A little twenty minute treat first thing, what could be better!

[Taino]

...well Soltino it looks like next time I go Beijing we are going to have to join for breakfast...

[El Presidente]

Nice work Soltino

Another good reminder that great things come in small packages

[Guest rob]

I havent yet tried these. By your description I am going to have to give them a go. I'm looking for a morning cigar that matches that description.

[soltino]

...well Soltino it looks like next time I go Beijing we are going to have to join for breakfast...

Sounds like a plan to me

[soltino]

Another good reminder that great things come in small packages

Couldn't agree with you more El Pres. I like to try and fit a cigar in at lunchtimes so I never really have time to smoke anything larger than a petit corona or a perlas. More often than not I usually only manage a 30min break at lunch so I end up having one of these Petit Julietas, an ERDM Demi Tasse, or an HDM du Maire.

Of the three I think the Petit Julietas is probably the mildest, but it also seems to have more complexity at a younger age. I love the '98 HDM du Maire that I picked up in the 2008 PCC Vintage release, they have a much stronger flavour, easily medium strength, with strong cocoa overtones.

I remember Ken saying that he didn't really like the small format of these cigars as they reminded him of cigarettes, and cigars should be a celebration. I can see his point, but you don't need to celebrate 'big' every time, a small celebration every lunchtime suits me just fine!

[frenchkiwi]

A build up of tar was also relieved by another snip with the clippers.

This is interesting, I also have some Petit Julietas from 07 and their main fault is the tar in the last third. I usually just put them out at that point. Are you saying that a cut further up (above the cap or ...?) sorts this out?

[Tampa1257]

The build up of tar can come from several issues, but a second cut just slightly above where the build up is will revitalize the cigar and the flavor will return.

[soltino]

Are you saying that a cut further up (above the cap or ...?) sorts this out?

Exactly as Tampa says, a snip just a touch above where you can see the tar will help no end. I try not to cut past the cap, as the cigar is likely to unravel then, but in extreme cases I have had to (not with the Julieta though) and it usually works okay, as long as you keep hold of the cigar from then on!

[frenchkiwi]

thanks for the tip, i will try this with my next one!