ROMEO Small Batch F25
Editor’s Note: Each week, our friends at the Smooth Draws Radio Show, based in Atlanta, GA, do a review of ‘The Cigar of the Week’ on their radio show, which can be heard Saturday mornings on AM1230 ESPN the Fan 2 (WFOM radio) from 9AM to 11AM. That review is printed (in its entirety) here on Cigarweekly.com, usually on the Monday following its broadcast.
The Smooth Draws Radio Show Pick of the Week
THE CIGAR
This week, we selected the ROMEO Small Batch F25 by Romeo y Julieta Aging Room – a cigar that represents a collaboration between Altadis USA and Boutique Blends.
BACK STORY
Recently, we reviewed the ROMEO by Romeo y Julieta, and stated that the brand first appeared on the market in 1875 in Cuba. We added that the brand has been revered for its excellence ever since.
(Following the Cuban revolution and subsequent nationalization of the tobacco industry there, an offshoot of the brand was moved to La Romana in the Dominican Republic, where production of Romeo y Julieta cigars for the American market has continued under the direction of Altadis.)
This new ROMEO is the result of a collaboration between Rafael Nodal of Boutique Blends (well known for his Aging Room cigars) and the Grupo de Maestros of Altadis U.S.A.
The cigar merges two of the better known brands from each company involved. The ROMEO by Romeo y Julieta has become a focal point for Altadis USA in recent years, while Boutique Blends’ Aging Room line has garnered its share of critical acclaim. This collaboration draws from the brand that produced Cigar Aficionado’s 2012 Number 3 Cigar of the Year (the ROMEO by Romeo y Julieta) and the brand that produced Cigar Aficionado’s Number 2 Cigar of the Year (the Aging Room Quattro F55).
THE CONSTRUCTION
The ROMEO Small Batch F25 is immaculately fabricated at Jochy Blanco’s Tabacalera La Palma in the Dominican Republic. It is handcrafted with 100% Habano Dominican tobaccos. This medium to full-bodied cigar is a Dominican puro, with the wrapper, binder and filler all incorporating Dominican Habano tobacco. These rare leaves are carefully grown in the Cibao valley, one of the most fertile tobacco growing regions on earth. The tobaccos come from two farms in that valley, La Canela and Jacagua.
A total of 250,000 cigars, each one adorned with three bands, have been produced. The cigars are available in three sizes, and come packaged in beautiful boxes, 20 cigars to a box. Nationwide release was on May 21, 2015 at the Tinder Box in Charlotte, North Carolina. The F25 designation on the band refers to ‘Friday, the 25th day of the year’, a reference to when the blend was originally created, and a designation often seen throughout the Aging Room Cigars portfolio.
THE DRAW
The draw was outstanding. The smoke that this cigar produced was easy and smooth, delivering tasty white clouds for my note taking and making for an unforgettable experience.
THE CIGAR TASTE PROFILE
We found the ROMEO F25 to be perfectly balanced, and highlighted by subtle and complex nuances of flavor. I tasted a dominant coffee bean core with notes of oak, chocolate, leather and earth. Hints of cinnamon and a vanilla sweetness played with my senses as notes of black pepper teased me. I also found occasional notes of Jalapeño pepper and dried fruit. ‘Creamy’ and ‘satisfying’ came to mind.
DOES IT GET A BUY RECOMMENDATION?
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