Smoke Inn Blog
Romeo y Julieta Since 1875
Even people who don’t smoke cigars are familiar with the Romeo y Julietav brand. Certainly one of most recognized names premium cigar brands, Romeo y Julieta is also one of the elder statesman of cigar houses, having been founded in 1875. This makes it one of only a handful of classic brands that were founded in the 19th century and still live on today. Like several of the other vintage cigar brands, Romeo y Julieta is part of the Altadis USA stable these days. The Altadis USA legacy cigar brands includes H. Upmann, founded in 1844 and Montecristo founded in 1935.
Romeo y Julieta Cigars are Born
Inocencio Alvarez and Manin García founded Romeo y Julieta in 1875. However Jose ‘Pepin’ Rodriguez-Fernandez, former head of the Havana Cabañas factory was the man who gave the brand it’s memorable name. There was a long-standing tradition of lectores who would read aloud to the torcedores (cigar rollers) as they worked. Many of them had favorite novels as a result and it was a great way to pass the time. As a result, several cigars and companies got their names from classic literature. Montecristo, from Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo and Romeo y Julieta from the Shakespeare work, of course.
So, the story says that Pepin was so obsessed with the story of Romeo and Juliet that he actually attempted to buy the Palazzo Capuleti, which was Juliet’s ancestral home in Verona, Italy. His plan was to turn it into a cigar lounge! As much as we would have loved to have seen that happen, the local town council wasn’t having it and shot the idea down immediately. Undaunted, Rodriguez-Fernandez had a near-exact replica of the Palazzo Capuleti built in Havana
Romeo y Julieta Cigars Legendary Benefactor
Romeo Y Julieta produced quality cigars from the beginning and gained serious recognition in the late 1800s to early 1900s, winning many awards at numerous prestigious cigar tasting exhibitions. In fact, you may have noticed that the Romeo y Julieta logo still proudly bears the gold medals it won today. But, by all accounts, it was Pepin Rodriguez, the man who bought the company early on and named it who really put them on the map.
When Pepin stepped into the captain’s chair, he got Romeo y Julieta cigars into high gear and garnered them global attention, which was no small feat around the turn of the century. There were no social media influencers back then, so Pepin Rodriguez influenced on horseback, literally riding across Europe and the Americas to promote Romeo y Julieta cigars and entering his horse (Julieta, of course) into races.
Romeo y Julieta Among the Rich and Famous
Pepin Rodriguez’ charisma and his presence at prestigious events around the world help turn the company into a phenomenon. Romeo y Julieta cigars became particularly popular with wealthy patrons and barons of the early 20th century, like the Getty’s and Rockefellers.
Aside from many of the most well-known tycoons and robber barons of the roaring 20s, Sir Winston Churchill was perhaps the brand’s most famous fan. In fact, Romeo y Julieta’s flagship vitola is named in his honor, a long 7″ by 47 ring gauge cigar known as the Churchill.
Romeo y Julieta designed the long-lasting (and just plain long) Churchill cigar after Churchill himself paid a visit to the Cuban factory in the 1940s. To this day, Winston Churchill is considered their “most famous customer,” and the flagship vitola Churchill is the longest-standing item in their catalog.
A New Era for Romeo y Julieta
After Rodriguez’s death in 1954 at 88 years of age and the Cuban revolution, Castro began the nationalization of the tobacco industry. This led to Romeo y Julieta cigars undergoing the same sort of split as many storied brands from old Cuba. They left behind what they couldn’t carry and the Cuban government continued the brand as a nationalized entity.
The leadership, however, emigrated to the Dominical Republic. La Romana, to be exact. Production of Romeo y Julieta cigars for the American market continues there to this day, under the purview of Altadis U.S.A. The Cuban government still produces its version of Romeo y Julieta cigars and distributes it worldwide as one of its top-selling global brands.
Exploring Romeo y Julieta Cigars
Whether you’re new to Romeo y Julieta, or the brand is an old favorite, we figured you might like to see our picks some of our favorites are from the house Pepin Garcia built.
Romeo Y Julieta Reserve Churchill
Handmade at the highly acclaimed La Flor de Copan factory in Honduras, the Reserve marries the legendary smoothness of Romeo y Julieta, with the rich, hearty coffee bean flavors of the most prized, hand-selected Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos. It is perhaps the most full-bodied Romeo y Julieta ever and since it’s a Churchill, it’s as long as a Cadillac Fleetwood 75.
If you appreciate a hearty and flavorful Churchill, the Romeo y Julieta Reserve Churchill will not disappoint you.
Buy Romeo y Julieta Reserve Churchill HERE.
If you’re after the full flavor of the Habana Reserve but want something a bit more abbreviated than a Churchill, you are in luck because the Reserve comes in a variety of forms.
Buy Romeo y Julieta Reserve in other vitolas HERE.
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real
Not to be confused with Habana Reserve above, the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real offers a notably milder flavor experience that is likely to appeal to a wide range of smoker’s palates. The Reserva Real is cloaked in a gorgeous Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, lending it a subtle sweetness. The binder is Nicaraguan and holds a filler blend of tobaccos from both Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The complete recipe results in an eminently smokable and mild cigar that doesn’t sacrifice complexity and depth of flavor.
Drop a box in your cart and look forward to dollops of creamy, smooth smoke, well balanced by notes of wood and spice. Some time into the smoke and flavors of leather and nuttiness are introduced, leaving you with a tantalizingly intricate arrangement of flavors that still manages not to overwhelm the senses at any point. One of the calling cards of the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real cigar is its impeccable construction that lends it its excellent draw resistance. The cigar is expertly rolled at the Dominican Republic’s famed Tabacalera de García factory providing an excellent draw resistance. If you’re only going to choose one Romeo y Julieta on our list, we think this one probably has the broadest appeal.
Buy Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real HERE.
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Twisted
If you like the sound of the Reserva Real, but are in the mood for something a bit out of the ordinary, we have just the thing. Stepping up the flavor meter to medium strength, but remaining quite civilized, Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Twisted is a barber pole variant that’s sure to the a topic of conversation at your next herf. This tasty stick hails from the Tabacalera de García factory as well. The Twisted blend is based on the original Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real cigar, including a Nicaraguan binder and fillers of Nicaragua and the DR.
It’s the exotic wrapper that sets the Twisted apart though. Utilizing both Ecuadorian Habano and Ecuadorian Connecticut leaves, which are carefully interwoven in a spiral form down the length of the cigar body. The delicious result is a classic flavor profile that shifts between notes of earth and pepper to that of rain-soaked hardwoods, barnyard hay, and a touch of sweetness through the finish. As mentioned, the strength is kicked up just a bit from the mild Reserva Real, but still very manageable. We’d put it just a tick below the medium line, which makes it accessible to a wide range aficionados.
Buy Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Twisted HERE.
Romeo y Julieta Romeo San Andrés
Finally, on the deeper and darker side we have a pick for those of you who favor the mahogany brown wrappers and rich cocoa and espresso-like flavor profiles. It’s Cigar Aficionado’s # 3 Cigar of the Year for 2012. Born of a unique collaboration between master blenders A.J. Fernandez, and Rafael Nodal, it’s ROMEO San Andrés by Romeo y Julieta.
The very first Romeo y Julieta with a Mexican wrapper is rolled at A.J. Fernandez’s acclaimed factory in Estelí. The blend incorporates a Nicaraguan and Dominican filler recipe, bound in a Nicaraguan leaf and wrapped in the cigar’s decadently rich Mexican San Andrés wrapper leaf. The blend uses aged tobaccos and was expertly crafted to deliver enchanting complexities with superb balance.
Anticipate medium-plus body and strength, defined by rich flavors of earth, cocoa, mocha, Commandaria (raisin wine), and nice kick of freshly ground black pepper.
Buy Romeo San Andrés by Romeo y Julieta HERE.
Smoke Inn is Your Cigar Shop
We hope you enjoyed reading our look at the storied Romeo y Julieta cigar brand’s legacy and heritage. Remembering the history and heritage of premium cigars is an important part of cigar culture to us and we imagine you, too. The reverence we have for tradition is part of what makes premium cigars and the time we spend enjoying them such a treasured commodity in this ever-changing world.
Check out the new Cigar of the Month Club section, which offers a snapshot of the month’s selections. As always, if you’re local or happen to be visiting South Florida, be sure to reward yourself with a visit to one of the country’s best cigar shops in person. We’d love to see you.
Our South Florida Locations:
- Smoke Inn Palm Beach Gardens
- Smoke Inn West Palm Beach
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