Cigar Aficionado

There is no cigar better suited to Valentine’s Day than Romeo y Julieta. The brand was born in Cuba nearly 150 years ago, and today, this most romantic of cigars is available in many different blends from several different countries. The options and styles are numerous, and each captures a different mood, whether you decide to go classic Cuban, new-world Nicaraguan or maybe something else entirely. Here are six different Romeos sure to tickle your tobacco fancy and capture your heart. 

Romeo y Julieta Churchill (Cuba)
For many, this particular cigar was their first love when it came to Churchill-sized smokes, and why not? It’s become the benchmark Cuban Churchill and has also been a survivor. In the past 20 years, Habanos has deleted many Churchills from its portfolio. Like true love itself, this one has endured. Called Julieta No. 2 in Cuban factories, the format was a favorite of Winston Churchill, and the name has stuck ever since.

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro (Nicaragua)
Altadis U.S.A. is the company that owns the U.S. rights to non-Cuban Romeos, and it continues to keep the brand fresh and relevant with new interpretations. The Reserva Real Nicaragua, an offshoot of the original Dominican Reserva Real line, is a perfect example. This version is made in Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez and conceived through the creative, loving lens of Altadis’ Rafael Nodal. We loved it too, as the all-Nicaraguan smoke was Cigar Aficionado’s No. 22 cigar of 2020, with a score of 92 points. 

Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill (Cuba)
Sometimes you only have time for a quickie, and few cigars can satisfy that ionate Cuban Romeo craving like the Petit Churchill. This four-inch firecracker was specifically created for those who want the sumptuous smoke of the full-size Churchill but don’t want the long commitment. 

Romeo y Julieta 1875 Nicaragua Bully (Nicaragua)
For the longest time, there was only one non-Cuban Romeo brand available in the U.S. market, so it was easy to be faithful. Today, it’s more of a polygamous affair, as more and more Romeo blends have come onto the scene. The 1875 Nicaragua is made by the Plasencia family in Nicaragua and gives a distinctly Nicaraguan accent to the Dominican 1875 line. And if your heart is bigger than your wallet, this Bully size retails for much less than $10.

Romeo y Julieta Línea de Oro (Cuba)
The Cuban Cohiba brand has its Línea de Oro, an even more expensive iteration of an already pricey cigar brand. It was introduced at the 2020 Habanos Festival to celebrate the brand’s 145th anniversary and only started to reach markets late last year. Habanos S.A. calls this the most “exclusive and elegant of the Romeo y Julieta lines” and created three completely new sizes just for this release. 

Romeo y Julieta 1875 Deluxe No. 1 (Dominican Republic)
You might be nostalgic for this old flame if you haven’t lit one up in a while, but they’re still on the market and still quite tasty. Made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera de Garcia, this Churchill-sized smoke has a tried-and-true blend of Dominican tobacco enveloped by an Indonesian wrapper. It’s perfect for that romantic walk down memory lane, or just a change of pace in general. And who knows, you might just rekindle a forgotten love affair.

Have you ever been struck by Cupid’s arrow for a particular Romeo? Let us know which one in the comments section.