Stogie Reviews: Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 4 (Cuban)

With a ratings ranging from 92 to 90 in recent issues of Cigar Aficionado, the Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 4 has made the magazine’s not-so-short list of “All-Time Top Cigars.” Worldwide, the stogie is a top-selling handmade habano with a reputation as an aromatic smoke with good combustion.

This five inches by 48 ring gauge Cuban can be found for anywhere from $8 to $11 apiece on the internet. Its sepia-colored wrapper is a bit bumpy with a rustic appeal, though certainly not unattractive.

Unlike the Cuban Partagas Serie D No. 4, the Romeo y Julieta band is very similar to its Dominican-made, completely unrelated counterpart that’s legally available in the U.S.. Looks like Altadis went to great lengths to bear as many similarities to the Cuban-manufactured Romeos as possible.

My smoke began with satisfying flavors of spicy cinnamon and pepper. Delicious but definitely on the salty side, so I recommend a complimentary drink.

During the first third the flavor is not overwhelming, likely because the draw is so loose. Each puff pulls through tons of air, giving the spicy flavors a light and fluffy appeal – a phenomenon that’s not uncommon among spongy-feeling stogies.

Right before the midway point some notes of sweet molasses join in, and this is where the Exhibición No. 4 is truly at its best. Plenty of balance on the profile.

But just when I was really enjoying these flavors, the final third brings tons of heat and more spice. The same spongy characteristic that kept the smoke light and fluffy in the beginning comes back to make it powerful and harsh towards the end.

My advice? Make sure to take your time with this one, and enjoy it on a full stomach.

On construction, this cigar isn’t exactly a thing of perfection. The burn requires some touch-ups to stay lit and even, and the ash is a bit flakey. I also had trouble removing the tightly sealed band without tearing the wrapper.

While the physical properties leave much to be desired, this is one heck of a treat up until the final third. It would take someone with taste buds of steel to nub it, though.

All things considered, I’m giving the Cuban version of the Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 4 three and ½ out of five stogies.

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-Patrick A