2020 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #19: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro

“The sweetness early on is going to start as a nice gateway to the cigar experience, but as you get deeper into the smoke, there will be more boldness and more spice – giving the cigar the Nicaraguan edge.”

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A
Toro: 54 x 6
Price: $9.03

Sponsor: Yes
Samples Provided for Initial Review: Yes
Review: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro (10/19/20)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 5 (2010, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020)

Coming in at #19 is the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro by Altadis USA. In recent years, those who have followed Altadis USA’s portfolio have seen several Nicaraguan-produced versions of the company’s iconic lines developed. Romeo y Julieta has been no exception. Earlier this year, it was announced that a Nicaraguan made version of the popular Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real line would be made and known as the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua.

The blend of the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua line is produced at AJ Fernandez’s factory out of Nicaragua. The AJ Fernandez and Plasencia Cigars factories have been the two factories Altadis has teamed up with for its Nicaraguan cigars. As for the blend, the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua features 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos that come from Fernandez’s farms in Nicaragua. The Toro size, which lands on the Countdown measures 54 x 6.

The Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro delivered notes of natural tobacco, caramel, earth, fruit, orange rind, pepper, and baker’s spice. The cigar started out medium-bodied, but the boldness quickly kicks in and by the second third progressed to medium to full.

While this is the fifth Altadis USA Cigar to land on a Cigar Coop Countdown, it marks the first time the Romeo y Julieta brand has secured a spot on a Cigar Coop Countdown.