Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill – Modern Robusto Cuban Cigar

Description

You know how sometimes you crave the depth of a legendary Cuban blend but simply cannot spare two hours to nurse a Churchill? That is exactly where this cigar fits into my rotation. I find myself reaching for the Short Churchill more often than almost anything else in the Romeo y Julieta lineup lately. It manages to pack all that famous history and flavor complexity into a format that fits a modern schedule, and honestly, it smokes better than many of its longer cousins.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: Before you even light up, take a moment to appreciate the cold draw. I usually get a distinct mix of damp hay and sweet spices that tells you the tobacco has been aged well. Once you toast the foot and take those first few puffs, the smoke output is surprisingly generous for a Robusto. You get hit immediately with a savory, slightly salty note that wakes up the palate. This quickly settles down into a dominant core of cedar and dry earth. It is not an aggressive start, but it is certainly present. The draw on these tends to be open and easy, allowing you to pull thick clouds of smoke without overheating the cherry. You might notice a faint mineral quality on the retrohale, which balances out the initial woodiness nicely.

Mid-Section: As you burn past the first inch, the profile shifts gears. This is where the “Short” Churchill really shows its character. The initial saltiness fades away, replaced by a surprising sweetness that reminds me of toffee or sometimes even a tangy orange peel. It is a strange but pleasant combination to find alongside the continuing leather notes. The strength stays firmly in the medium range, so it never feels like it is trying to knock you out. I often pick up a nutty flavor here, something close to roasted hazelnuts, which adds a creamy texture to the smoke. The ash usually holds on well, dark grey and solid, proving the construction is up to par. You can really taste the influence of the Vuelta Abajo leaves here as the flavors become more cohesive and round.

Final Third: Heading into the home stretch, the cigar drops the sweetness and leans into darker, richer flavors. That cedar from the beginning returns, but now it is joined by a robust espresso bean note and a touch of bitter chocolate. The body feels fuller now, bordering on medium-full, but it keeps its composure. You might get a bit of red wine tannin sensation on the tongue, drying the mouth slightly and making you reach for your drink. The pepper spice, which was barely there in the beginning, finally shows up to provide a little kick on the finish. Even when you smoke it down to the nub, it tends to stay cool and avoids turning harsh, provided you do not puff too rapidly.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind Romeo y Julieta

This brand has been around since 1875, and it is impossible to talk about it without mentioning Winston Churchill. He was so devoted to the brand that they eventually named his favorite large vitola after him. The Short Churchill is a relatively new addition, released to acknowledge that modern smokers do not always have the time for the massive formats of the past. It was a bold move to attach the famous “Churchill” name to a Robusto, but it paid off. Habanos S.A. created a blend that honors the heritage of the marque while adapting to the reality of today’s smoking laws and time constraints.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Ron Zacapa 23 – The natural sweetness and molasses in this Guatemalan rum latch onto the toffee and hazelnut notes in the cigar perfectly.
• Whiskey: Lagavulin 16 – The heavy peat smoke of this Islay scotch cuts right through the leather and earth of the cigar, creating a very intense savory combination.
• Coffee: Jamaican Blue Mountain – This coffee is famous for its lack of bitterness, which pairs beautifully with the creamy mid-section of the cigar without overpowering the delicate fruit notes.

Ideal For

This is the perfect cigar for a lunch break or a pre-dinner smoke when you want high quality without a massive time commitment. It suits intermediate smokers who understand Cuban flavors but do not want a nicotine bomb. If you enjoy identifying specific flavor transitions like fruit to espresso, this stick will keep you entertained for forty-five minutes.