CA Review Panel: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua

Video: RyJ Reserva Real Nicaragua—full Cigar Advisor panel review.

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua backstory

Made in partnership with Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez, Romeo Reserva Real Nicaragua is a masterclass in modern cigar blending. And the recipe takes puro to a level few cigarmakers have accomplished. Not only are the cigars all made in Nicaragua, but they’re also entirely comprised of tobaccos grown exclusively on AJ’s farms. The result is a premium of epic possibilities. At least on paper.

Lip service is one thing; we wanna know if it brings home the bacon Romeo and AJ’s pedigrees would suggest. Spoiler alert: of course it does.

Read our reviews and see why we think Romeo Real Nicaragua is must-have for your humidor!

Cigar Details:

Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Sizes Reviewed: 6” x 54 Toro
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Construction: Well-rolled 6x54 with an oily, satiny milk chocolate-colored wrapper. Firmly packed with some noticeable veins. Triple cap slightly off. Perfect draw.
Cold Draw: Sweet tobacco, barn, leather, cocoa, cedar, and a hint of citrus and spice.
Base flavors: Cedar, leather, earth, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, buttery-sweet notes, peppery spice.
Aroma: Rich, even burn from beginning to end. Ash ranges from light to dark grey, firm, and holds well.

Presented in boxes of 21

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Cigar Reviews

John’s Tasting Notes…

Summary: First few rips offer loads of cedar, along with a hearty spice that coats the tongue. Once it settles, some tasty notes stand out: spice, cedar, and leather. The smoke is thick and chewy, and by halfway, it’s making a lump in my throat as it goes from medium to full strength. Toasty and sweet taste; the aroma is, too.

The second half has less spice, and more earth; the smoke has a buttery feel. Overall, it’s a very savory profile – complex, yet very well balanced. By the end of the smoke it’s nice and full, with all the core flavors (earth, leather, cedar, spice) showing up.

If this Romeo Reserva Real Nicaragua wasn’t on your radar, it should be. Admittedly, that’s hard with 17 other Romeos on the humidor shelf next to it – so it’s easy to overlook. That’s why you need someone who will tell you, “Yo, try this.” It’s a nice, slow burner that will treat you to an easy 90 minutes (again, the benefit of that 6x54 size) with a really enjoyable profile. If you like to explore hidden gem cigars, you’d be disappointed if you missed out on this one.

Gary’s Tasting Notes…

Summary: I reviewed this cigar several years ago, and the cigar hasn’t changed all that much, including its elegant veneer. Once lit, the cigar revealed some short-lived red pepper out of the gate. Black pepper followed, but it didn't take much longer for the cigar to settle in, and by the time the first ash nugget fell it was mostly earthy and leathery with a fair amount of residual spiciness.

Between the first third and the midsection, the Toro really found its lane. Medium in body, the smoke was creamy, well-rounded and more layered as nutmeg, oak, and dried fruit arrived. Even the earthy layer was complemented by notes of leather, nuts, and raisin. From there it developed a consistently rich and full-bodied character with a woody-spicy flavor profile.

So, if the cigar hasn’t changed, perhaps my tastes have, because I found this Romeo Nicaragua Reserva Real earthier, spicier, and fuller than I remember. Fortunately, it never goes full throttle. This Toro is also what I call “a real cigar smoker’s cigar” - meaning, it’s cut out for experienced smokers who like AJ’s own full-flavored blends, or who just prefer cigars that promise a hearty, meaty smoke with a good whiskey.

Paul’s Tasting Notes…

Summary: AJ Fernandez and Rafael Nodal provide a Nicaraguan twist on a classic.

From the first puff, it's clear this isn't any old Romeo. The initial profile greets you with a harmonious blend of roasted nuts and cedar, underpinned by a subtle sweetness that dances on the palate.

As we move into the second portion, the cigar really stretches its legs. The sweetness evolves into a rich dark chocolate note, perfectly complementing the now moreprominent cedar. There's a pleasant spice that begins to build – not overwhelming, but enough to keep things interesting. It's like the cigar is slowly revealing its Nicaraguan pedigree but doing so with grace and restraint.

The finale brings it all home. The flavors intensify without becoming harsh, a testament to the tobacco and the skill of the blenders. The nuttiness returns, now more like toasted almonds, mingling with the established flavors in an increasingly complex conclusion.

What strikes me most about the Reserva Real Nicaragua is its balance. It balances the robustness we've come to expect from AJ Fernandez while maintaining the smoothness and refinement that Rafael Nodal is known for. It's a medium to full-bodied smoke that never overwhelms, making it accessible to a wide range of palates.

In a market flooded with Nicaraguan cigars, the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua manages to stand out. It offers a unique experience that both honors the brand's heritage and embraces the bold flavors of its new terroir. Whether you're a long-time Romeo y Julieta fan or a devotee of Nicaraguan blends, this cigar is worth seeking out. It's a reminder that even the most established names in the cigar world can still surprise us – and in this case, that surprise is a delightful one.