VINTAGE CIGAR CORNER- Romeo Y Julieta No. 3 from 2000

Romeo y Julieta No. 3, 2000 Vintage Cigar

This Romeo Y Julieta “coronitas” cigar has two histories.  It was originally released prior to 1960, presented in a sleek, silver tube.  This first edition of the cigar was machine-made, up until 2002.  After that, they were made completely by hand.  Further, the tube design changed to the more colorful white and red version in 2008.  That was the year that most of the Romeo y Julieta “tubos” made the transition from the older silver tubes, to the more modern version that we still see today.  A needed changed, however it does feel nice whenever we come across those older silver tubes!

As for this exact Romeo No. 3, it was part of a box of 25 that was kicking around in the humidor since it’s release.  Throughout the years, I made a decision to slowly go through the cigars every few months and years.  Some of those cigars were fantastic.  After some years of ageing, I had the chance to try them over time and compare notes.  For a period of about 4 to 5 years, around 2012 to 2017, there was a very noticeable “dormant” period.  Each cigar had nearly zero flavor.  Hence, I decided to let them rest longer to see if any life came back to them.  Which brings us to this cigar, the last one from the box, a full 21 years since they were original inserted in the tubes, and in the 25-count box.

ABOUT THE CIGAR –ROMEO Y JULIETA :: No. 3 TUBOS from 2000.

BOX DATE: 2000

SIZE:  40 x 4 5/8 inches.

FACTORY NAME: Coronitas

1st Part

For starters, it’s a nice change to cut and light this smaller size cigar.  Many of the new releases are wider and longer cigars, giving this vitola an automatic old school feeling right from the get go.

The cigar is very rich, and surprisingly, very full bodied.  There are pronounced notes of peanut peel which is a flavor I personally pick up on oftentimes.

2nd Part

The strength is gaining in intensity, it is way stronger than I anticipated given the age and the brand.  It also feels like that the cigar became more full bodied over the years.  I am aware that is not what is supposed to happen, however, it is not the first time an aged Romeo shocks me with its power.  The last one I can remember was an Exhibicion No. 3 from 2009.  My collegue Danilo Bulatovic gave his take on it which you can read here:

3rd Part

To cap off this unpredictable cigar, it is milder at the final stage compared to the first 2 parts.  By no means is it a mild cigar, however, it has certainly dropped in intensity.  Perhaps because of the cigar is now a little milder, there is a beautiful cashew type flavor that is coming through.  Kind of reminds of how the same happens with a stout beer, or a red wine; you pick up on a lot more flavors from a less cold liquid than when it is very cold.

SUMMARY

It is always a pleasure tasting old cigars.  The most rewarding, is when you have the chance to age the box yourself, and give them a try every few years.  That was the case with this one, and the experience lasted two decades, and was well worth it.  The individual also evolves throughout those years, with your knowledge and palette have had time to taste different cigars.  Buying aged cigars by the unit is a fun hobby, but it does not come close to the satisfaction of beginning and ending the journey with a box you’ve been nurturing for many years.

SCORE

Construction:  9 on 10.

Flavor:  9 on 10.

Evolution: 8 on 10.

Overall:  8.5 on 10

PAIRING SUGGESTION: 

Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon Aged Single Malt Whisky

Innis and Gunn Bourbon Aged Scottish Beer

Rich Espresso

Boulevardier Cocktail

….and yes, I think this cigar goes well with Bourbon Whiskey in different forms as clearly stated above!