Taste Test
Reviewed by Joe Gellman - 8th May 2004
Romeo y Julietta Hermoso 2003 Edicion Limitada - I was almost afraid to prepare tasting notes for this cigar. At 6½ x 48, it looks challenging and awesome. The cigar has a matte finish, true Cuban Maduro in color, is smooth to the touch, but it is a bit veiny. It reminded me of an 8-9-8, one heck of a strong cigar. The cigar was very firm, leading me to believe it would be a tight draw. It wasn't; it was a great and easy draw from start to finish.
Before lighting, the cigar has a faint salty taste, one which was constant, but not prominent. The cigar cut with a "snap" in keeping with its firmness. My first surprise came when I lit the cigar. It tasted faintly vegetal, but that sense quickly dispersed.
I was having my Sunday coffee when preparing this tasting note, at the local coffee house. A lady sitting next to me remarked on the pleasant aroma of the smoke and asked if she could taste the cigar. I was not going to pass up this experience. She said her name was Shegar, but people called her 'cigar.' She said she was from Iran and had tasted "women-sized" cigars in the past. She looked barely old enough to smoke however, and I thought the cigar would cause her to cough. I was wrong. She took the cigar firmly in her grip and without any hesitation, placed it between her lips.
On her first puff she removed the cigar and had a nice smile on her face. "Gosh" she said, "this is really tasty, it goes great with my espresso." She was 100% right on! We talked for a bit and then I had to go back to my notes. When she left she asked me if we could meet and smoke a few cigars, together, if I supplied them. As soon as I returned to my office I placed an order with Mitchell for some more cigars!
The cigar is a throwback to the great, full-bodied cigars which Cuba was famous for, in the 50's and early 60's. The blend is not for the weak of heart, and a novice might find the cigar too rich. Regardless, it is one which must be bought, now, before they are all gone. Many people complain that the Cubans are blending cigars for the American Market, meaning softer, less strength, and simply mediocre. Not this cigar. Not any of the Edicion Limitadas. These cigars are for the true connoisseur of the leaf.
The ash was a dark gray and firm and fully smoked, to the last. As I noted, the draw was quite easy and there was plenty of cool smoke on each draw. It burned evenly and there was not a hint of unevenness.
The flavors are of aged leather, dark, unsweetened chocolate, and fully roasted coffee bean. Although strong and full-bodied, the cigar mellowed out about 1/3 of the way down, and the flavors never waned.
There was no explosive finish, only complete satisfaction at having been able to spend more than an hour smoking a grand cigar. As with many great cigars, I was left with memories of my smoke, on my palate, for more than one-hour.
I opined, last year, that the biggest drawback for the E.L.s was the fact that, once gone, they will never be produced again. Considering this fact, I marvel at the reasonable prices the cigar can be fetched at. Please don't miss out on this perfect example of Cuba from the past.
