I just enjoyed a Romeo y Julieta Petite Churchill. Created back in 2012, this cigar is known for offering a brief yet delightful 20-minute smoke, a tribute to one of Romeo y Julieta’s most famous patrons, Winston Churchill. These cigars are carefully stored in a specialized humidor to maintain the perfect environment, ensuring an exceptional smoke every time.
I was immediately impressed by the look and feel of the cigar. Its neat roll and firm structure, combined with an inviting aroma, set the stage for a pleasurable experience.
Lighting up, the flavors evolve beautifully through each third of the smoke, making it a unique and enjoyable journey from start to finish.
Key Takeaways
- Romeo y Julieta Petite Churchill offers a short, yet rich smoking experience.
- Storing at the right humidity is crucial for enhancing flavor and airflow.
- The cigar’s flavors transform intriguingly through each smoking phase.
Overview
The Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill is a cigar I find delivers a quick yet fulfilling experience. It debuted in 2012 and is sometimes called a ’20-minute Churchill.’ The cigar is crafted using a distinct Cuban method called entubar, where several leaves are rolled and twisted together to ensure smooth airflow. As with any Cuban puro, all the tobaccos in this blend are from Cuba.
The cigar’s impressive construction demonstrates skill, with a wooden color that shines under light. Its bouquet reveals layers of aromas like cinnamon, yeasty brioche, and a touch of boozy brandy butter. Despite a slight wave in the burn, the cigar maintains a rich palette of flavors.
In the earlier stages, I noticed a blend of sweet and savory notes, with hints of spices and creamy elements. As the journey progresses, it gets more savory, with coffee grounds and a nutty presence taking the stage.
Despite being small in size, this cigar offers a robust smoking experience, evolving from sweet to a more savory profile as you smoke through its thirds. It’s a dynamic and engaging smoke, full of character and intriguing complexities.
Romeo y Julieta Petite Churchill Origins
Launch Details and Cigar Type
The Romeo y Julieta Petite Churchill hit the scene back in 2012. People often call it a “20-minute Churchill” because it’s a shorter smoke. This cigar was named after Winston Churchill, who is probably their most famous fan. They first chose the Churchill style for their cigars in 1946.
Made in Cuba, these cigars are most likely crafted at the H. Upmann factory, but their production is spread out across several places in Cuba.
Time Period
In 1946, after World War II, Romeo y Julieta decided to create the Churchill vitola. This move was a tribute to Winston Churchill, given his popularity and love for their cigars. It was a time when Cuba was thriving in its cigar-making reputation, and this vitola quickly became a big hit.
How It’s Made and Bunching Style
In making these cigars, the entubado method is used. This special technique involves rolling up individual leaves and then twisting them. This creates better airflow and an impressive experience when smoked. It’s a typical way for Cuban cigars, which is different than how they do it in countries like Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic.
Cuban Puro Details
Since this is a Cuban cigar, all the tobacco is from Cuba, making it a Cuban puro. This means you’re getting a piece of Cuba in every puff, adding to its unique flavor and aroma.
The perfect blend of Cuban-grown leaves gives it that renowned quality people expect from a puro.
Cigar Size and Shape
When it comes to size, this cigar measures 4 inches by 50 ring gauge. It’s almost like a robusto but just a bit shorter. Even though it’s small, it still has a good size, which is perfect for a brief yet satisfying smoke session. The make and look of it are strong with no soft spots, and it shines nicely when the light hits it.
Appearance and Feel
Build Excellence
When I checked out the Romeo and Julieta Petite Churchill, I noticed how perfectly straight the roll was. There weren’t any soft spots, unlike the H. Upmann Magnum 54. Even though it’s firm when you press it, there’s a small give that’s noticeable.
Visual Appeal
The wrapper has a wood-like color with a light sheen that catches the eye nicely. When it comes to smell, the cigar features delightful scents like cinnamon, brioche, and a hint of brandy butter.
The veins are minimal, though you might spot a couple on one side. When I tried the pre-light draw, the airflow was just right. There was a spicy note, kind of like cardamom, with a subtle touch of cinnamon. Additionally, there’s a buttery presence and a dry, earthy scent similar to terracotta.
Before Lighting Experience
Cutting and Drawing
I gave the cigar a clean cut above the triple cap with a guillotine cutter. The airflow turned out great, feeling just right. Cuban cigars are sometimes tricky with airflow, but the humidity level in which I stored this cigar helps a lot.
This particular cigar has a good draw, thanks to the storage conditions.
Smells and Initial Thoughts
The scents from the cigar before lighting are quite inviting. There’s a hint of cardamom spiciness and a touch of cinnamon. A creamy butteriness makes it extra enticing.
On top of that, there’s a musty, earthy aroma that reminds me of dry clay. The whole experience of taking in these aromas and savoring the draw is pleasant and full of character.
My First Experience with the Initial Third of a Cigar
So, I’m just about finished with the first third of the Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill and, to be honest, it’s been quite the experience. The ash is holding on nicely, but there’s some unevenness, kind of a wavy look to it. I’m not too worried yet, but I’ll keep an eye on it as I move on to the next thirds to see if it needs any fixing.
Talking about the flavors, they’re really something special. It’s a rich mix and very well-balanced. There’s this savory umami character mingled with a hint of sweetness and saltiness. Every now and then, I get a little kick of sweet spice. The taste hints toward some herbal notes, and charred bay leaf is the standout for me.
There’s also a nutty touch, like fresh walnuts, and a touch of turmeric spice that leaves a bit of a coating on my lips. The first third is quite fleeting and delightful, though I doubt this will last just 20 minutes as they say. I’m already around 10 minutes into it, eager to see how the rest unfolds.
Second Third Smoking Experience
Shifts in Taste
As I reached the second third of the Romeo y Julieta Petite Churchill, the taste really shifted. The sweetness and that delightful umami faded away. Now, I’m getting more savory notes.
There’s a strong taste of coffee grounds, kind of like espresso after it’s made. The spiciness changed too, reminding me of nutmeg, with a touch of yeastiness.
Earlier, the cigar had a buttery and sweet brioche aroma. Here, it’s heavier, resembling rye bread or a Danish loaf. It’s an interesting change but feels connected to the first third’s flavors.
Build and Burn
The construction of the cigar stayed impressive throughout this part. The draw remained smooth, ensuring a good flow of air with each puff.
Early on, there was just a bit of waviness with the ash, which I noted, but by this stage, it held steady without needing much attention. The cigar felt well-made, offering a consistent and enjoyable smoking experience without any major issues.
Final Part of the Smoking Experience
Strength and Fullness
In the last part of the smoke, the body becomes more noticeable. It’s still medium, but it feels heavier on my palate. The flavors are meatier, and there’s an earthy taste like damp soil. It doesn’t have the dry Cuban earth taste I’m used to.
The coffee grounds taste still sticks around, adding a deep, almost bitter savoriness, but without a strong bitterness or pepper.
Tasting Notes
Throughout the final part, the cigar maintains a savory profile. There’s a distinct herbal flavor that reminds me of toasted rosemary. This adds a thick mouthfeel and a bit of a rough, pleasant texture.
It’s unique how, within its short length, this cigar offers such an interesting flavor journey. The smooth and somewhat weighty finish rounds out the experience nicely.
General Thoughts
I recently had a chance to enjoy the Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill, using the Bespoke Cigar Formula for my review.
Released in 2012, the Petit Churchill comes from the storied tradition of Romeo y Julieta, who introduced the Churchill vitola in 1946. I was pleased with its clean roll and lack of soft spots, though it felt a bit softer than some cigars I’ve tried before. Its color reminded me of rich wood and showed a nice oily shine under light.
This cigar had rich aromas on the nose—cinnamon, yeasty brioche, and creamy brandy butter that added an interesting depth. On the palate, spiciness like cardamom mixed with buttery notes and a hint of terracotta dryness. Even the initial draw was smooth and provided good airflow.
As I progressed through the cigar, the flavors evolved.
In the first third, I noticed a mix of savory, sweet, and salty flavors with herbal undertones and a nutty essence. The second third leaned more towards savory with notes of espresso and nutmeg. By the final third, it developed a deeper, meatier flavor with herbal nuances that left a lasting impression.
Overall, the Petite Churchill delivers a complex journey with an intriguing mix of aromas and flavors that evolve throughout the smoke, making it a memorable experience.
