Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No.4 Prelight
Romeo y Julieta is a pre-revolution Cuban marca that was established in 1875 by Inocencio Alvarez and Manin García. The name is borrowed from Shakespeare’s classic, which was read to the torcedores while they were rolling cigars at the factory.
The Exhibición No.4 was introduced in the mid 1980’s. The vitola is the legendary Hermosos No. 4 at 5″ x 48, the same vitola as the Vegas Robaina Famosos, H. Upmann Connoisseur 1, and the El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme.
This specific example has a milk chocolate looking wrapper. It was dry boxed for 16 hours prior to smoking. A punch cut showed a draw that was a notch too snug, I’m really hoping this draw opens up a bit after lighting. The cold draw is not showing much outside of a bit of barnyard. I carefully lit this one with a torch lighter.
Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No.4 First Third
Classic Romeo y Julieta notes right from the beginning- medium roast coffee, milk chocolate, and cherry wood. The palate is coffee with milk, tea crackers, and some sweet cherry wood. The retrohale is showing milk chocolate, and a touch of rosewater. The draw has opened up a bit, but it’s still on the snug side. Smoke texture is a bit thin, but that’s likely due to the draw. There’s a long finish of rosewater and cherry wood. Outside of the snug draw, construction, burn, and ash are great so far. The smoke is slowly developing a creamier texture as the draw opens up. There’s a definite ramp up in the rose and some sweetness developing as we get to the end of the first third.
Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No.4 Second Third
The flavor profile is developing right as expected. Biscuits, milk chocolate, and cherry wood on the palate. The retrohale is showing under ripe cherries, and rose hips. The profile reminds me a lot of a cherry/rose tea with the coffee, biscuits, and milk chocolate in the background. The flavors are clear and present, but not in your face at all. Very smooth and elegant so far.
Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No.4 Final Third
The cherry note is now front and center as a tart cherry flavor. Tea biscuits, medium roast coffee, and milk chocolate on the palate. The retro is the tart cherry note, and rose hips. I was ready to write this cigar as more interesting than tasty in the second third, but the profile really found it’s stride here in the final. The richness has significantly ramped up. The tart cherries and rich chocolate has taken over the flavor profile. Past the band the cherry, coffee and chocolate notes are continuing to grow in strength. I put this one down with about half an inch left.
Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No.4 Conclusions
Romeo y Julieta is one of the more unique flavor profiles in the modern Cuban portfolio. Notes of cherry, rose, and milk chocolate always come to mind. The Exhibición No.4 was unlike any other Romeo y Julieta in the sense that it didn’t just have one take on that classic profile, but it seemed to have all of the takes. The first third was light, the second third was floral, and the final third was rich. The smoothness, and lack of pepper throughout the cigar was remarkable. I picked up this Exhibición No.4 at a an La Casa Del Habano on a recent trip to Mexico City, and the date stamp was covered so I don’t have a good idea of how old this stick might be. The cigar didn’t taste young, but it was very dynamic so I’m curious as to how an aged example would taste. This cigar can be found for $17-$20 USD per stick online, and while that’s not a bargain by any means, it’s on the cheaper side for a Cuban these days. If you like smoother, floral flavors, or if you’re pairing with wine or food the Exhibición No.4 would be a great pick. If you’re like me and prefer something with a little more character I’d tell you to stick to a Juan López No. 2 or a H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 instead.
