Meet the Romeo y Julieta Reserve Churchill - a hefty 7"x54 parejo wrapped in oily Nicaraguan leaf that'll make Dominican-made R y J fans do a double take. This Honduran-crafted dark horse packs Nicaraguan binder and Honduran/Nicaraguan filler tobaccos in boxes of 21 or 27. Priced around $270/box, it's the black sheep of the family with fuller body than typical R y J blends. Warning: newbies might find its strength overwhelming, but seasoned smokers craving intensity will appreciate the upgraded ash stability.
Initial draws serve roasted coffee beans with black pepper sparks. The tight ash holds through 1.5" before revealing earthy cocoa notes. Watch for slight tunneling if humidification drops below 65%.
Leather and charred oak emerge as the burn line approaches the golden "RESERVE" band. Honduran tobacco's signature mineral twang surfaces - reminiscent of Cuban soil profiles. Retrohale brings caramelized sugar flashes.
Nicotine strength peaks at the 45-minute mark. Dark chocolate bitterness balances the lingering sweetness, though some find the charred wood notes overpowering. Pro tip: purge every 10 puffs to maintain flavor clarity.
The box-pressed parejo shape feels substantial in hand. Obsessive QC shows in razor-straight seams and flawless cap application. During testing, 8/10 samples maintained perfect burn alignment without touch-ups. Heavy oil spots on the wrapper correlate with more intense flavor output - look for mottled patches when selecting your stick.
