Technical Data
Size : Parejo
Ring Guage : 50
Length : 5 inches
Country : Dominican Republic
Color : medium-brown (Colorado)
Wrapper : Java (Indonesian)
Filler : Long cut Dominican & Brazilian

Okay, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m a Romeo Y Julieta fan, specifically the 1875 Cedaro #1 and #2. For a non-Cuban version, these smokes do pretty good. At least that’s what I thought until last night. I’ve notice the RyJ Rothchilde before, but just never got around to try one. So, when the humidor in my favorite cigar bar was out of MX2 and RyJ 1875, I noticed the shiny silver tube of the Rothchilde hiding in the lower corner.

Grabbing a couple, and ignoring paying premium pricing (hey, what can I say, I was out to party) I settled back in my chair at the bar to enjoy my Glenfiddich and a nice smoke.

What a surprise when I opened the tube! The construction was flawless, the wrapper was a bit toothy, but had a nice oily sheen you would expect from a Java grown leaf. Minimal veins were visible. The initial smell was vaguely familiar, like an old friend’s voice from a distance. Using a double bladed cutter, I trimmed the end, which cut clean and took a pre-light test draw. That’s where I suddenly remembered where that smell came from. It was from my past, when I could get Cuban Romeo Y Julietas! Although not dead on, this was the closest I’ve come in years. The draw was light, and after toasting, the foot lit even. The burn was consistent all the way to the stub, a nice slow, even burn. The light grey ash held well, and the with the large, clean cut, the smoke never got too hot. The flavor was milder the expected, but very distinct. Here’s where I fail to paint as colorful a picture as this smoke deserves. The first draw had a mocha and nutty flavor, quite creamy, with hints of woodiness, like cedar or oak. As I drew down on this stick, all those flavors matured and got more intense, even with a couple of purges. Toward the end, the nutty & mocha flavors were almost overpowered by the woodiness, which matured into a full oaky taste and smell. This cigar never got bitter nor harsh.

Okay, CA gives this smoke an 89, but I don’t believe in their rating system, mainly for smokes just like this. This is best RyJ I’ve had in a long time and does come damn close, in my opinion, to a “true” RyJ.

Now, I guess I’m on a quest to find these at a better price then I paid. But it was damn well worth every dime.