Let's cut straight to this Dominican puro - the Romeo Añejo Robusto brings a 5x54 parejo shape packing aged tobacco from the Grupo de Maestros rollers. At $9.33 per stick in 20-count boxes, it's positioned as an affordable daily smoke with maduro swagger. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper shows decent oil sheen though some veins pop up. Construction feels solid - no soft spots detected during my Tuesday afternoon test drive.
Straight off the punch cut, expect heavy molasses sweetness - almost cloying if you're not ready. Earth tones emerge around the 1" mark, blending with black pepper that tingles the nostrils. Smoke output feels medium, needing occasional touch-ups despite the triple cap.
At the band point, the sweetness drops back letting leather and espresso come through. Noticeable nicotine buzz kicks in here - this ain't your grandfather's mild RyJ. Burn line gets razor-sharp when paced slowly, though hasty puffs cause canoeing.
Last two inches amp up the intensity with charred oak and dark chocolate bitterness. Tar buildup requires a 3/4 nub dismissal unless you enjoy ashtray mouth. Total smoke time clocked 68 minutes with paired cola.
This Añejo iteration works for maduro lovers wanting heavy sweetness without breaking the bank. While construction inconsistencies hold it back from elite status, the flavor punch satisfies at this price tier. Keep Bovedas handy - the broadleaf wrapper tends to dry fast in low humidity.
