The Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Twisted Love Story offers a creamy 90-minute smoke in its unconventional figurado shape. Measuring 4 1/4" with 46 ring gauge, this Nicaraguan-Dominican blend features a striking barberpole wrapper combo that actually impacts the smoking dynamics. At $7.24 per stick, it's positioned as a special occasion smoke with better construction than their regular 1875 line.
The spiral construction creates two distinct burn phases. Initial puffs through the twisted head deliver concentrated sweetness (think brown sugar crust on crème brûlée) with almond undertones. Once the burn line passes the spiral junction at 15 minutes, the Habano wrapper takes dominance - expect black pepper sparks and roasted coffee beans. The final third surprisingly develops a mineral tang akin to licking sea-salted dark chocolate.
Rolled at Tabacalera de García using their "dual cap" technique - spiral wrapper ends tucked under traditional triple cap. The barberpole effect isn't just cosmetic; thinner Connecticut strips burn faster than Habano portions, creating natural ventilation. However, this demands 65% RH storage - any drier and the wrapper differential causes uneven burns.
Use a punch cut rather than guillotine. The spiral head's varied wrapper thickness causes standard cuts to tear the delicate Connecticut leaf. Punching through the center maintains structural integrity for that crucial first third.
