The Expert Review Library
-
Romeo505-Tim06/08/2017Romeo y Julieta is a brand that needs no introduction. It’s had staying power in a crowded field, simply because its cigars are timeless blends that enthusiasts have flocked to for over 130 years. The brand wanted to appeal to enthusiasts who prefer bolder flavors, so it branched out a few years ago with its Romeo line-up. Which brings us to its newest release: Romeo 505
Named for Nicaragua’s country code, 505 is distinct among the brand’s portfolio for a couple of reasons. First, it’s the only Romeo blend that is primarily sourced in Nicaragua. Secondly, it’s a lot bolder than any of the brand’s offerings to date. A combination of rich fillers from Jalapa, Esteli, and Condega are wrapped in a dark and oily Habano Jalapa leaf, which is smooth to the touch and has rich a aroma with sweet notes of leather and cedar.
I tend to gravitate toward bolder cigars, so this seemed right up my alley from the start. After taking a few puffs, it was clear that this cigar stands out from Romeo’s other cigars. It definitely lives up to the hype with ample sweetness, spice, and earthiness. This is not a cigar you would want to enjoy on an empty stomach, because as promised, it packs the punch you would expect from a full bodied cigar.
I enjoyed the hell out of 505 and I can say with certainty that it appeals to anyone who prefers full bodied cigars with tons of flavor and quality construction. Hats off to Romeo y Julieta, this is a cigar that I can see myself lighting up again in the very near future.
-
Michael - Lucious Lyon No.305/10/2017From the hit television series, Empire, comes Lucious Lyon! This cigar is a classic Connecticut-wrapped gem with an expertly detailed mixture of Dominican, Honduran, Mexican, and Nicaraguan long-leaf fillers. This handmade is gentle, smooth, and mellow.
-
Dave - Rocky Patel Cri-ojo05/10/2017This is Rocky Patel's aptly dubbed Cri-ojo, a unique hybrid wrapper leaf featuring a mix of both Criollo and Corojo seed offering a one-of-a-kind experience. I never thought such a balanced, medium-bodied cigar could pack so much flavor from an earthy spice up front to a touch of natural sweetness on the finish.
-
Andrew - Graycliff Professionale PG Robusto05/10/2017
Graycliff is one of the highest quality cigars on the market and the Profesionale line is no exception. Fillers from four countries are wrapped in an Ecuadorian Sumatra Intermedio leaf. The overall experience is smooth with tasting notes of leather, earth, cedar, and hints of spice.
-
Bella - La Herencia Cubana CORE Toro05/10/2017
Made by AJ Fernandez, this cigar is a box-pressed, full-bodied beauty! The Habano Ecuadorian Sun Grown Ligero wrapper appears marbled and smooth. This cigar offers notes of pepper, balanced with earthiness and coffee. It was a fantastic cigar that I would recommend to any enthusiast who prefers a full-bodied experience.
-
Daniel - CAO Italia Ciao05/10/2017
This 90+ rated CAO is a one-of-a-kind blend packed with Italian, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian long-fillers. It's wrapped with a dark chocolate, oily Habano leaf. This first draw surprised me when strong notes of pepper hit my palate, but then opened up with dark chocolate, earth, peat, leather, and spice. All of these flavors melded together beautifully.
-
Tim - Viaje Full Moon Collector’s Edition04/27/2017I’ve been a Viaje fan for some time now. The brand’s Exclusivo is among my favorite cigars on store shelves right now. Despite my affinity for Viaje, Full Moon Collector’s Edition somehow went under my radar. Yes, I know this is a Halloween-themed cigar, so call me late to the party but, I just wanted to share my delight in finally giving this cigar a go. Let’s start with aesthetics - the cigar is wrapped in a gorgeous deep brown Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper that has an earthy and spicy aroma. The pigtail cap is a nice detail that I’m a total sucker for, so this experience is already off to an amazing start. Upon first light, Full Moon has a ton of flavor. Thick mouthfuls of pillowy smoke exude intense flavors of spice, earth, and cocoa. I was expecting an extraordinary cigar and somehow my expectations were blown out of the water throughout the burn. Full Moon is fantastic from top to tail, with a beautiful creaminess reserved for the very best cigars. Is it a surprise that I enjoyed this cigar as much as I did? Not really. The only surprise here is that spring has sprung and it somehow took me this long to sample Full Moon Collector’s Edition.
-
Dave - HC Series Gran Limitado03/30/2017A must-have in my humidor, a Nicaraguan wrapper drapes five-year-aged ligeros and barrel-aged Nicaraguan long-leaves. Offering subtle hints of coffee and earthiness, HC Series Gran Limitado will satisfy even the most complex of palates. Add this to your rotation today or keep it around as a special treat for guests!
-
Andrew - Gurkha Governor's Private Blend03/30/2017
This is one limited edition Gurkha that you want to get your hands on. With a deluge of various flavors, this medium-bodied blend offers some exotic spices up front with a mellow backbone of coffee, wood, and touch of natural sweetness. The double perfecto is easily my favorite vitola within the line and makes for a great mid-day indulgence.
-
Michael - CIGAR.com Signature Habano03/30/2017This chunky robusto is rich and complex while remaining very balanced. There is a nice amount of sweetness and spice that lingers on the front of the palate, not to mention a one-of-a-kind flavor from its Honduran wrapper, unique Peruvian fillers, and filler leaf from the Pueblo Nuevo region of Nicaragua.
Our Experts