Romeo y Julieta Churchill

[oakalley]

Well folks here is my first stab at a review post. Please be gentle!!

At any rate, I've been smoking cigars seriously since the late 80's, so well over 20 years. I remember picking up the first edition of Cigar Aficionado , and reading the magazine from cover to cover. At that time purchasing genuine Cubans was just a fantasy for most of us in the USA, but I read all the reviews of Cubans, hoping to be able to get my hands on some eventually. Well ,several years later my wife and I traveled to Switzerland, and of course Cuban Cigars were available everywhere. I was able to bring home a box of Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas as well as a box of Romeo y Julieta Churchills. As I remember both of those cigars were rated in the high 90's in Cigar Aficionado ratings. I treasured those cigars, and savored every last puff. They were both excellent cigars, but I was particularly impressed with the Churchills. they were wonderful, easy to smoke, great rich flavor and were good down to the last bit. i was sad to see the last of those great cigars disappear, but, alas ,as with everything, they were finally gone. Over the years, I got a few Cubans off and on, but they were never as good as the Romeo y Julietas. In fact I strongly suspect that some were counterfeit, as they were awful.

Two weeks ago, while on a Southern Caribbean cruise, we had a land day in St. Marteen. my wife, brother and his wife were walking down Front Street, looking at all the Jewelry stores when we came across a Cigar store. We went upstairs to the humidor and sure enough quite a nice selection of Cuban cigars. I bought a box of Romeo y Julieta Churchills, which my brother and I split. I smoked two on the ship and one since We got home, and I can truthfully say these were every bit as good as the ones from the early 90's. They are as smoothas silk, very even burn, nice draw and like the early ones, just get better and better as they smoke. You wish that the last bit would last forever.

I have read lots about the inconsistency of Cuban Cigars, ands I'm sure when the cigar "craze was at it's peak in the late 90's, the demand was so great, the pressure was really on to produce more and more. Aging got accelerated, inferior tobbacco was used and inexperienced rollers, all combined to produce some pretty unimpressive cigars. I suppose I was fortunate to be able to smoke these wonderful cigars before the Cigar craze took off, and then later after things settled down. Now Cigar smokers are folks who smoke cigars because thye truly love cigars, and not because smoking a big stogie is the "in thing". Try the Romeo y julieta Churchills, i think you'll like them.

Arthur

[thechenman]

Thanks for the review Arthur, and the background story. It always makes it more interesting to hear the story behind the cigar, if there is one.

[MontrealRon]

Hi, Arthur -

Many thanks for the great intro/review.

R&J Churchills were also one of my first loves among Cuban cigars.

Just looking at one evokes good memories.

Was your recent purchase the dress box, or the tubos?

Do you remember the box date?

These clues can help those of us who would like to replicate your positive experience.

It's great to have you on board!

[hoyopr]

Really enjoyable review of a cigar I've yet to try but is on the list. Especially like that you found the recent ones as good as your first box.

[suprluper]

Good review, Arthur.

Truly a classic cigar, and one you can depend on. It's always great to re-discover a smoke that you truly enjoyed!