Romeo y Julieta Réplica de Humidor Antiguo Romeo (2008)

In 2006, Habanos S.A. introduced the Réplica de Humidor Antiguo (Replica Antique Humidor) series, which consists of extremely well-made and expensive replicas of antique humidors. Inside are usually cigars rolled in vitolas within specific marcas that are either discontinued, never released or previous special editions.

Here is the press release from Habanos when the Romeo y Julieta Réplica de Humidor Antiguo was released in 2008:

Habanos s.a. will launch a Replica of an Ancient Romeo y Julieta Humidor this year, of which, only 250 cases will be produced and will be exclusively aimed to Casas del Habano worldwide.

Now, Romeo y Julieta is bringing back an astonishing size: the Romeos (Girth 52 x 162 mm long) which is a  Doble Figurado or Fancy shape, exclusively manufactured for this release and comprising 50 of them in each Humidor. This size was discontinued in the 70´s but brought back for the 125th anniversary of the brand in a Commemorative Humidor in 2000.

These humidors are totally manufactured by hand and made up of cedar and mahogany, by the renowned Cuban goldsmith Ernesto Aguilera who was also the artisan responsible for the Partagás and H. Upmann replicas that were commercialized by Habanos s.a. in 2006 and 2007 respectively.  He is the author of some unique masterpieces auctioned at the past editions of the Habanos Festivals as well.

Here is a photo of the Romeo y Julieta Réplica de Humidor Antiguo:

There have been a total of six releases in the Replica Antique Humidor series since 2006. They are:

• 2006 — H. Upmann — Tacos Imperiales — 200 Humidors of 50 Cigars (10,000 Total Cigars)
• 2007 — Partagas — Sobresalientes — 200 Humidors of 50 Cigars (10,000 Total Cigars)
• 2008 — Romeo y Julieta — Romeos — 250 Humidors of 50 Cigars (17,500 Total Cigars)
• 2009 — Montecristo — Double Corona — 350 Humidors of 50 Cigars (17,500 Total Cigars)
• 2011 — Hoyo de Monterrey — Monterrey — 350 Humidors of 50 Cigars (17,500 Total Cigars)
• 2012 — Ramón Allones — Imperiales — Not Announced

• Cigar Reviewed: Romeo y Julieta Réplica de Humidor Antiguo Romeo (2008)
• Country of Origin: Cuba
• Factory: Undisclosed
• Wrapper: Cuba
• Binder: Cuba
• Filler: Cuba
• Size: 6 3/8 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Perfecto
• Est. Price: $135 (Humidors of 50, $6,750)
• Release Date: 2008
• Number of Cigars to be Released: 250 Humidors of 50 Cigars (17,500 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 1

The Romeo is a great-looking large Perfecto with a dark reddish brown wrapper that is smooth to the touch. Some veins are present, but they do not stick out or distract, and the wrapper smells faintly of barnyard, chocolate, manure and generic wood. It has the perfect amount of give when squeezed, and the cigar feels hefty in the hand when held.

The first third of the Romeo y Julieta starts off with immediate flavors of rich aged creamy oak, hay, leather and a tiny amount of cinnamon. The profile is creamy overall and there is a nice but small amount of spice on the tongue that sticks around for the entire first third. I am surprised to note that there is a saltiness on my lips from this cigar and I really hope that continues. The draw is perfect from the first puff, but the burn is off and on at times. Strength slowly builds to a mild medium by the end of the first third, and while I think it will get stronger—I doubt it will be a powerhouse.

Coming into the second third of the Romeo and the profile is pretty much the same throughout. Still very creamy with oak, leather and hay. I am noticing some slight sweetness in the far background, but it is not strong enough to really pick out a specific flavor. The spice from the first third is still around, as is the saltiness on my lips, but both are much reduced and I don’t see them lasting much longer. The draw is still perfect, but the burn is still a bit wavy. Strength is a medium at best, and if it gets any stronger, I will eat the nub, literally.

The final third of the Romeo y Julieta is an almost carbon copy of the second third. Very creamy and woody with just a tad bit of generic sweetness that reminds me of plum. There are some other flavors of leather, earth and chocolate that come in and out, but none are very strong at any point. As expected, the spice and saltiness from the second third has all but disappeared and the strength remains at a solid medium until the end of the cigar. Burn and draw are wonderful to the end, but the flavors of this cigar go out with a whimper, not a bang.

Final Notes

• Interestingly, there is no current regular production Romeo y Julieta vitolas that matches the size of the Romeo. There is however a regular production Cuaba that has the exact same dimensions, the Distinguidos.
• Having said that, there have been three previous releases of the Romeo vitola in the Romeo y Juliet marca: the regular release version which was discontinued in the late 1970’s, the Siglo XXI Millennium Humidor in 1999, and the 125th Aniversario Humidor in 2000.
• The total numbers of cigars in each humidor release has steadily been increasing over the years. The first Replica Antique humidor in 2006 had 200 humidors of 50 while there were 350 humidors of 50 in 2011.
• According to reports, the old El Rey del Mundo factory in Cuba, which until 2005 was where the El Rey del Mundo brand and the now discontinued Status de Luxe, Troya, and Gispert brands were rolled has been converted into a factory to produce all of the humidors for the Antique Replica series.
• While each of the Replica Antique Humidor releases are extremely limited, each of the five cigars released so far have sported the standard marca bands, with no indication that they are special in any way, other than the sizes.
• The smoke production for the Romeo is excellent, white and billowy, while the ash is a dark gray and black combination.
• Although the Hoyo de Monterrey Replica Humidor was shown off at the 2011 Festival del Habano, and was scheduled to be released in 2011, it sill has not reached retailers shelves as of yet, as far as I can determine. That really does not bode well for the 2012 release, the Ramón Allones Imperiales.
• While the flavors and profile were fairly boring, the major bright spot of the cigar was the construction. The burn and draw were as close to perfection as you could ask all things considered.
• The only place I could find these for sale is on the secondary market. Be prepared to pay out the nose for them like I did.
• The final smoking time was just over two hours.