The Romeo y Julieta brand was established in 1875 by Inocencio Alvarez and Mannin Garcia. The brand is named after the famous Shakespeare tragedy which has undoubtedly contributed to its popularity. Between 1885 and 1900 Romeo y Julieta won several awards at different tasting events with the gold medals still displayed on the logo today. The brand really blossomed after it was acquired by Jose “Pepin” Rodriguez Fernandez in 1903. Rodriguez constantly travelled across Europe and the U.S. heavily marketing the brand, this included entering his horse, the suitably named Julieta, in races around the world. Sir Winston Churchill is known as the brand’s most famous aficionado with the flagship vitola of the brand named in his honour; the Churchill.

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Juan Cano Sainz and his wife lived above their warehouse on 39 Bernaza Street in Old Havana, Cuba. Their three children were all born in this house and after a while shifted to a town house on the corner of Teniente Rey and Bernaza Street; the birthplace of La Flor de Cano. In 1932 Juan hired a cigar maker to roll cigars on his kitchen table. Sales increased quickly and a second cigar maker was hired to keep up with growing demand. As his customer base continued to grow Juan established his own company and created a brand under his family’s name; La Flor de Cano. The brand gained its esteemed reputation in the 1980s by offering brilliantly crafted cigars made from the finest tobacco.

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Made exclusively by Habanos SA for the The Pacific Cigar Company, the Por Larranaga Robustos LE 2007 will be exclusive to the Asia Pacific region for the next two years. The robusto size was undoubtedly chosen as the 2007 regional edition due to the current trend of shorter, thicker gauge cigars. Por Larranaga has never released a robusto cigar in its portfolio making this regional release unique. The Por Larranaga Robusto has a length of 124mm with a 50 ring gauge size (19.8mm diameter) and looks majestic with its gold and silver double bands. The impeccable construction and appearance will also impress with its dark and oily wrapper.

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The Montecristo No.4 Reserva 2007 pays tribute to the Montecristo No. 4; the worlds most popular Havana cigar. Since its launch in 1935 the Cubans have produced the unfathomable amount of over one billion Montecristo No.4 cigars - more than 7500 tons of first class tobacco. Manufactured with tobacco leaves specially selected and carefully aged for three years gives the Montecristo No.4 Reserva 2007 a unique quality which sets them apart from other Montecristo releases. These cigars come packaged in luxury black lacquered cases and are a special release of only 5000 numbered boxes. The 20 double banded cigars look regal in both the Montecristo and Reserva specific ring bands. 

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The Punch Super Robustos is a regional edition originally released by Habanos in 2006. This new vitola from this prestigious brand is exclusively handmade for Habanos lovers in Asia Pacific markets only. The Punch Super Robustos are issued as a limited release of 2140 numbered cases of both 25 and 50 cabinet boxes. A beautiful hand rolled cigar with a rich, oily wrapper with the unique limited double band confirming; Exclusivo Asia Pacifico. The construction of this cigar is absolutely perfect and the drink accompanying this gorgeous vitola for the review was a Heineken Draught served from the 5 litre mini keg.

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The Hoyo de Monterrey Regalos Limited Edition was released by Habanos in 2007 and is presented in an unvarnished slide lid box of 25 cigars in two layers. The Regalos, as with all limited edition Habanos cigars, are not part of the usual range of the Hoyo de Monterrey brand. The careful selection of a two year aged wrapper from the upper level of the Cuban plant gives this release a darker colour which sets them apart from other HDM cigars. Binder and filler leaves used for the making of these limited edition cigars have also been aged for two years adding to its character. Having said that we had certainly looked forward to reviewing the HDM Regalos and partnering the Regalos for the review was ’The Yearling’ 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon from Rymill. 

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In 2003 Habanos S.A. released the Combinacciones Selección Piramides 5s case. This case contains five piramides of the most well known Habanos brands including Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey.

This vitola measures 156 mm in length with a ring gauge of 52 and is currently available under the Montecristo banner as the Montecristo No.2. For the other four brands however this vitola is only available in the Combinacciones Selección Piramides case which incidentally also contains a humidifier to help maintain optimal storage conditions. For the review we’ll focus on the Cohiba Piramide which as previously mentioned is only available in the Combinacciones Seleccion Piramides 5s case.

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We recently reviewed the Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos which left us impressed and definitely wanting more! I could hardly wait to sit, smoke and review the Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios; the largest of the three Maduro 5 sizes at 140mm x 52 ring gauge. The construction of the Genios is also tip-top and the defiant dark shade certainly enhances the cigars appeal. This special dark colour and texture is obtained through a natural, five year process that apparently is chemical free. The traditional Cohiba ring adorns the Genios with the addition of a black band along the bottom featuring “Maduro 5″ in gold type. The anticipation of a great Cuban cigar prompted me to open a bottle of the delicious 2005 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

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This new release from Montecristo is the little brother of the reknown Montecristo Edmundo. The Montecristo Petit Edmundo measures 110mm in length with a ring gauge of 52. The Petit Edmundo is classified as a petit robusto and measures exactly an inch shorter than the Montecristo Edmundo. Hoyo de Monterrey released the Petit Robusto in 2004 which was the first release of this size. This vitola is consistent with the current trend of thicker gauged and shorter Cuban cigars. The concept being a full, complex smoking experience in a shorter amount of time. It guess that’s the way of the world! Partnering the Petit Edmundo for the review was the equally creamy Kilkenny Irish Ale.

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The Cohiba Maduro 5 incorporates a new concept for Habanos as it utilises the highest grade Cuban grown maduro wrapper leaf. With a stunning dark shade the character of this tobacco is achieved during its five year aging process. This unique colour and texture is obtained through a process that is chemical free. This of course can’t be said for many of the non Cuban maduro brands. The tobacco used in the making of all Cohiba cigars comes from the five best tobacco farms of the Vuelta Abajo region. In addition Cohiba is the only Cuban brand in which two of the three types of leaves used to make them (seco and ligero) are given a third fermentation.

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