Let's cut straight to the chase with this 6 1/8" x 52 figurado from Romeo y Julieta's non-Cuban line. The 1875 Belicoso rolls in at $8.35 per stick (box of 25 for $208.61), packing a medium-strength Dominican blend under that creamy Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. What really grabs me? That perfect box-press shape and the factory-fresh scent of tea leaves from the Boveda-packed box.
The cold draw teases sweet hay and cashew - classic Connecticut vibes. Initial puffs deliver a cedar-forward profile with that signature Dominican twang, burning razor-straight. Keep it slow though - the tapered head heats up quick if you rush through. Pair this with black coffee and thank me later.
At the 20-minute mark, the nicotine creeps up to low-medium territory. Baking spices emerge behind the cedar - think nutmeg and cinnamon sugar. Draw stays effortless, but watch the burn line in humid conditions. Unlike the fuller-bodied Montecristo White Belicoso, this won't punish newbies with nicotine.
Last third brings toasted almond and black pepper whispers. The Dominican filler shows its teeth here with some mineral bitterness - common in mid-tier Altadis blends. Unlike the Ashton Classic's persistent creaminess, this prefers early retirement before heavy tar buildup at the nub.
Dry-box for 4-6 hours before smoking - the oily wrapper tends to canoe in 65%+ humidity. Storage-wise, keep these separate from full-bodied sticks; that Connecticut wrapper absorbs surrounding aromas like a sponge. Last pro tip: retrohale through the nose at mid-point to catch the hidden honey sweetness.
