The Romeo y Julieta Aniversario cigar was the 92-rated #19 cigar of 2007, according to Cigar Aficionado. With its lush flavors of cedar, leather, licorice, and roasted spiced nuts, the smoke captured the palates of the judges, making it one of the most well regarded cigars in the Romeo y Julieta portfolio (exceeded by the Romeo by Romeo y Julieta stick and the Cuban-made Short Churchill, each of which scored 94s).
The Aniversario was released in 2005 to celebrate the company’s 130th birthday. Romeo y Julieta was founded in Cuba in 1875, and has been rolling up high quality smokes for well over a century. In fact, the signature gold medallions on the band are awards earned by the company in the late 1800s at cigar judging events. So whatever the 1800s equivalent of Cigar Aficionado was, Romeo y Julieta was getting its stamp of quality. The smokes are still enjoyed all around the world, and even though production is split into two companies now (one in the Dominican Republic and one in Cuba), the same commitment to classic cigar flavors and methods is still demonstrated in each smoke.
In the Romeo y Julieta Aniversario, you’ll encounter a stylish Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, which is concealing a surprise Connecticut Broadleaf binder. Those familiar with Broadleaf wrappers will know that they’re in for a flavorful treat in this blend. The fillers are comprised of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian tobaccos. If you haven’t encountered it before, Peruvian tobacco is a somewhat rare and underused kind of leaf, and this is a great opportunity to enjoy a blend that includes it. It’s something new to celebrate something so very, very old.
