Description
The Robusto That Changed My Mind our story and passion for cigars Romeo y Julieta
I’ll be honest with you – I used to think Romeo y Julieta was playing it too safe. Reliable? Sure. Consistent? Absolutely. But exciting? Not exactly the first word that came to mind. Then someone handed me a Short Churchill at a lounge in Miami during a poker game, and I had to eat my words. This cigar proved that sometimes the “safe choice” is safe for a damn good reason.
What makes the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill special isn’t some revolutionary blend or marketing gimmick. It’s the fact that this stick delivers exactly what it promises – a refined, approachable authentic Cuban cigar experience experience that never tries to be something it’s not. For newcomers to handmade Cuban cigars, this is your gateway drug. For veterans? It’s that dependable friend who shows up right on time with exactly what you need. The Short Churchill format gives you all the classic Romeo character in a manageable size that won’t eat up your entire afternoon.
What You’re Getting Into
Romeo y Julieta has been around since 1875, which means they were rolling properly stored premium cigars before most of our great-grandparents were born. The brand built its reputation on consistency and elegance – not the flashiest qualities, maybe, but the ones that keep people coming back for decades. Winston Churchill himself was famously attached to the brand, though he preferred the larger vitolas. This Short Churchill is a nod to that legacy while acknowledging that not all of us have three hours to spend on a single cigar.
The Short Churchill sits in that sweet spot between a quick smoke and a proper session. At around 50 minutes of smoking time, it’s perfect for that late afternoon break or an after-dinner smoke when you’ve got somewhere to be but still want the full authentic Cuban cigar experience experience. The blend showcases tobacco from Vuelta Abajo – the Napa Valley of Cuban tobacco, if you will – and the construction quality is what you’d expect from a marca that’s been doing this for 150 years.
This is a cigar for people who appreciate subtlety over power. If you’re the type who wants a cigar to knock you on your ass, go find a Partagás. But if you want something smooth, creamy, and genuinely pleasant to smoke while you’re actually trying to enjoy other things – conversation, a good drink, the sunset – then pay attention.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Short Churchill (Robusto) |
| Length | 4.9 inches / 124 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 50 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend |
| Strength | Mild to Medium |
| Smoking Time | 45-60 minutes |
How This Cigar Actually Smokes
The cold draw gives you hints of what’s coming – cedar and a touch of that classic Cuban hay aroma. Nothing aggressive, just pleasant. The wrapper on these usually has this silky quality to it, not oily exactly, but smooth to the touch. I’ve smoked dozens of these over the years, and the construction has been consistently solid. Not always perfect – we’re talking handmade Cuban cigars here, not Swiss watches – but reliable enough that I don’t hesitate to recommend them to people.
Light it up and the first third comes at you with cream and cedar notes. That’s the Romeo signature right there – smooth, almost buttery texture to the smoke. There’s a subtle sweetness underneath, not like sugar but more like… hmm, how do I put this… like the smell of fresh tobacco leaves drying in a barn. Some people pick up cocoa notes early on. I get it maybe one time out of three, depends on the stick and probably on what I ate that day. The burn line usually stays pretty even if you’re not smoking it in a windstorm, and the ash holds on for a good inch before dropping.
Second third is where things get interesting – and by interesting, I mean the flavors develop rather than hitting you over the head. You start getting these leather notes coming through, and the earth tones become more pronounced. The smoke stays creamy though, which is what keeps this from being boring. Some spicy notes peek through on the retrohale, nothing that’ll clear your sinuses, just enough to remind you this is actual tobacco and not vanilla-flavored air. The strength builds slightly here, moving from mild into proper medium territory. Still won’t knock you down, but you know you’re smoking something substantial.
Final third – and this is important – doesn’t turn harsh on you like some properly stored premium cigars do. I genuinely appreciate that. The leather notes intensify, the earth comes forward, and you get a bit more of that spice I mentioned. If you’ve been aging these in your humidor for six months or more, this final third becomes even smoother. The nicotine level stays manageable throughout. I’ve smoked these on an empty stomach (not recommended, but sometimes life happens) and never felt like I needed to sit down and put my head between my knees.
One thing worth mentioning – the ring gauge at 50 means you’re getting a decent amount of smoke volume without it being overwhelming. The draw is usually just right, maybe slightly firm but never tight enough to make you work for it. And that wrapper? Rarely see any issues with it. The occasional vein here and there, but nothing that affects the smoke.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill | Mild-Medium | 45-60 min | Daily smoke, beginners, afternoon sessions |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium | 40-50 min | Quick refined smoke, experienced palates |
| Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 | Medium | 50-70 min | Leisurely afternoon, balanced complexity |
| H. Upmann’s limited edition vitola Half Corona | Mild-Medium | 25-35 min | Short break, morning smoke |
What to Drink With It
Coffee works beautifully with this cigar, especially in the morning or early afternoon. I’m talking the real thing actual coffee though, not that over-roasted burnt stuff from chain shops. A medium roast with some body to it complements the creamy texture perfectly. Cuban coffee if you can get it – seems appropriate, right?
For alcohol, I lean toward rum with Romeo y Julieta. A good aged rum, nothing too sweet or spiced. Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Zacapa 23 if you want specific recommendations. The rum’s sweetness plays nicely against the earthier notes in the cigar without overwhelming the subtler flavors. Alternatively, a lighter Scotch works – something like Glenlivet 12 or Glenfiddich. You don’t want anything too peaty or smoky competing with the tobacco.
Wine people might enjoy this with a medium-bodied red – maybe a Rioja or a not-too-heavy Merlot. I’m not a huge wine-and-cigar guy myself, but I’ve seen it work. And honestly? Sometimes just water is perfect. Lets you taste the cigar without any interference.
Time of day? This is an afternoon cigar for me, though I know people who smoke them in the evening. Too mellow for after a heavy dinner in my opinion – you want something with more oomph then. But for a lazy Saturday afternoon on the patio? Perfect.
How does the Short Churchill compare to other Romeo y Julieta vitolas?
It’s milder than the Churchill and more approachable than the Wide Churchills. The Short Churchill gives you that classic Romeo smoothness in a compact format that’s easier to fit into your day. If you like Romeo’s style but find the larger vitolas too time-consuming, this is your answer. The flavor profile is similar across the line – creamy, smooth, refined – but the Short Churchill concentrates it into a more manageable smoking time.
What strength level should I expect from this cigar?
Starts mild and builds to medium by the second third. It’s not going to overwhelm you with nicotine, even if you’re relatively new to cigars. I’d put it at about 30-40% on the strength scale if we’re being specific. Experienced smokers might even find it on the lighter side, but that’s part of its charm – it’s a cigar you can actually enjoy without battling it.
Do these cigars need aging, or can I smoke them right away?
You can smoke them fresh, but they definitely benefit from some rest time in your humidor. Give them at least three months if you can manage the patience, six months to a year is even better. The flavors mellow out and integrate more smoothly with aging. That said, I’ve smoked plenty straight from the the humidor and never regretted it – they’re good either way, just different.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing these?
I keep mine around 65-67% relative humidity, which seems to be the sweet spot for most Cuban cigars. Too much higher and they get spongy and burn unevenly. Too much lower and they dry out and lose that smooth character. If you’re in a drier climate, aim for the higher end of that range. Just avoid the old-school 70% that people used to recommend – too wet for my taste.
Is this a good cigar for someone new to Cuban cigars?
Absolutely, probably one of the best actually. It won’t beat you up with strength, the flavors are approachable without being boring, and the construction quality means you’re unlikely to have technical issues that’ll ruin the experience. Plus, if you decide Cuban cigars aren’t for you, at least you gave them a fair shot with a well-made example rather than some random stick that might not represent the category well.
How does the ring gauge affect the smoking experience?
The 50 ring gauge gives you a good amount of smoke and a cooler burn than thinner vitolas, which helps maintain those smooth, creamy flavors throughout. It’s thick enough to give you complexity but not so thick that you’re getting jaw fatigue by the end. Some people prefer thinner ring gauges for more concentrated flavor – that’s valid – but I find the 50 hits a nice balance for this particular blend.
Can I smoke this cigar down to the nub, or does it get harsh?
You can take it pretty far down if you want to. It doesn’t turn bitter and harsh like some cigars do in the final inch. That said, once you get to where you’re burning your fingers, just let it go. No cigar is worth singed fingertips, and you’ve gotten the full experience by that point anyway. I usually set mine down with about an inch left, not because it’s bad but because I’m satisfied and don’t need to squeeze every last puff out of it.
Final Thoughts From the Lounge
The Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill isn’t trying to reinvent anything or blow your mind with revolutionary blending. It’s doing something arguably harder – delivering a consistently excellent, genuinely enjoyable smoking experience that you can come back to again and again without getting bored. Some cigars are special occasion smokes. This one can be, but it’s also happy being your regular companion.
If you’re building a humidor and want something reliable that you won’t regret buying a box of, this should be on your list. It’s refined without being pretentious, flavorful without being aggressive, and well-constructed enough that you can trust it not to fall apart on you. Those might not sound like thrilling qualities, but spend enough time with cigars and you’ll realize they’re exactly what you want most of the time.
Add a few to your collection. Let them rest if you can. Pair them with something you enjoy drinking. And see if this doesn’t become one of those cigars you find yourself reaching for more often than you expected. It happened to me, and I’m still slightly surprised about it.
