Fresh from Havana the 17th Habano Festival is underway and we’ve just heard that one of the announcements was the Romeo y Julieta Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009
This Wide Churchill vitola, has had all its leaves (filler, binder and wrapper) go through a long and thorough five-year aging process.
Production is limited to 5,000 numbered boxes so will be a highly sought after cigar among enthusiasts – ourselves includes
To make these Romeo y Julieta Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009, the finest tobacco leaves were harvested in 2009 in Vuelta Abajo, from Pinar del Rio Cuba, and completely hand-rolled with a long filler, featuring leaves selected by expert blenders and checked by over 50 seasoned tasters during joint tasting sessions organized by the Tobacco Institute.
Those expert tasters included members of the National Tasting Commission from Cuba’s most prestigious cigar factories, plus specialists from the Cuban tobacco industry and Habanos S.A.
The origin of the brand name – dates back to 1875 stems from the homonymous literary tragedy penned by English writer William Shakespeare.
The brand quickly reaped acclaim worldwide in the early 20th century, thus becoming one of the first ever to sport distinctive cigar bands.
Winston Churchill was one of the most devoted smokers of this brand. Since his 1946 Havana visit, his name was not only used in the habano bands, but it also gave birth to the brand’s best-known vitola: Churchills of Romeo y Julieta.
In the 21st century, two vitolas were added. Firstly, Short Churchills got its big break in 2006 –the missing Robusto within the brand’s vitola portfolio; and secondly the Wide Churchills in 2010, which is the size that is based on the Gran Reserva.
This new vitola brings a meaty 55 ring gauge that you are used to with the wide Churchill but with an extra 5 years already on it, it should make for a well-balanced and aromatic blend.
Boxes are limited as mentioned before and will be available in boxes of 15.
It will be interested to see how these cigar compare to a 2010 Wide Churchill which will also have 5 years aging already, but as soon as we get our hands on some we’ll be sure to review them.
Here’s the specs:
Brand: Romeo y Julieta
Cigar Name: Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009
Factory: Montesco
Ring Gauge: 55
Length: 5 1/8 inches