Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchill

This is my second Romeo Y Julieta and based on the other reviews that one can find on the web my expectations are high. Unfortunately my previous experience with a R&J is not particularly good, admittedly that was a machine made cigar and this is hand made, but this is going to be interesting!

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 50

Length: 4 7/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 1 month

Construction: Very good at first but fell apart towards the end

Draw: Easy, mild aniseed dry draw that firmed up after toasting

Strength: medium to full

Flavour: Nutty, coffee, pepper

Burn: From bad to worse

Guy's rating (70-100): 87

General comments:

Very nutty off the bat with some oiliness and some spiciness coming through. In addition the first 1/3 had some smokey barrel flavours coming through. Second third had the espresso coming through with perhaps some light earthy sweetness. The last third coffee and peppery spice were coming through stronger but the construction was starting to fail miserably. All in all the flavour is not too bad - but expected more, maybe that's a bit unfair, it's really solid. Maybe it's a personnel preference type taste, but it's just not for me. I wouldn't recommend this to a first time smoker. It will be some time before I get another R&J in my humidor.

 

Mowing the lawn with a Monte 4

This is a test run of posting from my mobile phone. And how brilliant - while I'm mowing the lawn. I don't think I've done an official review of a MonteC 4 before but they're just excellent so will do one soon.

Anyway, let me get back too it.

Later!

Cohiba Robustos

This was my second Cohiba and I think I may have set my expectations a bit high before smoking it, because I was a little disappointed. Compared to the Siglo I it just didn't quite have the sweetness and creaminess in the flavour and the flavour didn't develop into anything much. Still a great smoke but just not quite as dynamic as I had expected - and if you check out the other reviews online it's a very highly regarded cigar.

Cigar summary

Origin: Cuba

Ring gauge: 50

Length: 4 7/8

Manufactured: Hand made

Maturity: 1 month

Construction: Not great, veiny, a bit flackey

Draw: Easy draw with a fruity dry draw

Strength: medium "ish"

Flavour: Espresso, grass and mild spice dominant with hints of cream and sweetness

Burn: Fair

Guy's rating (70-100): 90

General comments:

Off the bat there was a light oiliness and sweetness, coffee, cream, peppery spice were all present. These flavours became slightly richer after the first third but really didn't move anywhere. At this pointed I would have easily swapped it for an HDM Ep2. After the first half possibly some earthy tones coming through but nothing significant. Flavour wise it may be a good cigar to occupy you while you do something else like cut the lawn or watch the game with a few beers because it's not really complex and doesn't require attention to appreciate the smoke, but then again you could have something half the price and smoke a Punch Coronation or something like that instead. I think this one is probably worth another go - purely based on it's reputation, so I'll buy 3 for the Humidor and see how they go. But for the price - sorry this just didn't cut it!