Description
Why the Capuletos EL 2016 Deserves a Spot in Your Humidor
I’ll be honest: when Romeo y Julieta announced the Capuletos as a 2016 Edición Limitada, I wasn’t expecting much. The brand had been playing it safe for years, releasing solid but predictable cigars that rarely made me sit up and take notice. Then I smoked one at a shop in Miami’s Little Havana – actually, it was during a particularly humid afternoon when I was killing time before a flight – and it completely changed my perspective on what this historic marca could still achieve. This isn’t your grandfather’s Romeo y Julieta. The Capuletos takes everything you think you know about the brand’s mild, creamy profile and adds layers of complexity that keep you guessing through every third. If you’ve written off Romeo y Julieta as too beginner-friendly, this cigar will make you reconsider.
What Makes the Capuletos Stand Out in the Romeo Lineup
Romeo y Julieta has been around since 1875, which means they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their craft – and also plenty of time to fall into predictable patterns. The Capuletos breaks that mold. Named after the Capulet family from Shakespeare’s tragedy (Romeo y Julieta has always had this theatrical naming convention), this Edición Limitada was released exclusively in 2016 using tobacco from the 2014 harvest. That two-year aging process before even rolling the cigars? You can taste it in every puff.
The vitola they chose – a Geniales format measuring 5.6 inches with a 54 ring gauge – sits in that sweet spot between a Corona Gorda and a Robusto. It’s substantial enough to give you a good 60 to 75 minutes of smoking time, but not so massive that it becomes a chore to finish. The wrapper is classic Vuelta Abajo leaf with this gorgeous reddish-brown hue that catches the light just right. When I first handled one, the oil on that wrapper left a slight sheen on my fingers – that’s the kind of quality we’re talking about.
This cigar targets the intermediate to advanced smoker who appreciates nuance. If you’re someone who gravitates toward medium to full-bodied smokes but still wants that traditional Cuban elegance, the Capuletos delivers. It’s got more backbone than the standard Romeo lineup – closer to a Wide Churchill in character but with its own distinct personality.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Geniales (Factory Name: Dalias) |
| Length | 5.6 inches / 143 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 54 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Long Filler Blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 60-75 minutes |
The Smoking Experience – A Journey Through Three Acts
Cold draw on the Capuletos gives you hints of what’s coming – leather, a touch of barnyard, maybe some dried fruit sweetness. The construction is typically excellent; I’ve smoked maybe a dozen of these over the years and never had a single draw issue. The pre-light aroma has that classic Cuban hay scent mixed with cocoa.
Light it up, and the first third opens with smooth, creamy smoke that’s deceptively mild. There’s earth and cedar dominating initially, with this underlying sweetness that reminds me of toasted almonds. The retrohale – and you absolutely should retrohale these – brings out white pepper and a touch of cinnamon. What surprises people is how balanced everything feels. The strength builds gradually rather than hitting you all at once. Around the halfway mark of the first third, you start getting coffee notes, not espresso but more like a medium roast with cream.
The transition into the second third is where the Capuletos really shows its personality. The creaminess from the opening fades slightly, and you get this beautiful leather note – quality leather, like a well-maintained saddle or an expensive jacket. The earth becomes more pronounced, mixing with hints of dark chocolate. Some spicy elements emerge on the palate, nothing overwhelming, just enough to keep things interesting. The smoke production is generous without being excessive, and the ash holds solid for about an inch and a half before dropping. That dark gray ash with those clean horizontal lines? Chef’s kiss. The burn stays razor-straight if you’re not smoking in heavy wind.
Final third is where opinions split among my smoking buddies. Some find it gets a bit strong for their taste; personally, I think this is where the cigar earns its Edición Limitada status. The strength ramps up to a solid medium-full, and you get these robust flavors of roasted nuts, more pronounced pepper, and this interesting mineral quality that I associate with aged Cuban tobacco. The leather note persists through to the nub. If you’ve been pairing it with a drink, this is where a strong coffee or aged rum really shines. I’ve smoked these down to the point where I’m burning my fingers – they’re that good to the very end. No harshness, no bitterness, just a smooth, full-flavored finish that leaves you wanting another one.
How the Capuletos Compares to Similar Smokes
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo y Julieta Capuletos EL 2016 | Medium-Full | 60-75 minutes | Evening relaxation, special occasions |
| Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill | Medium | 60-80 minutes | Afternoon smoke, beginners to intermediate |
| Montecristo Dantés EL 2016 | Medium-Full | 75-90 minutes | Experienced smokers, long sessions |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Full | 50-65 minutes | Bold flavor lovers, after meals |
Perfect Pairings for the Capuletos
I’ve paired the Capuletos with everything from single malt scotch to craft beer, and honestly, it’s pretty versatile. My go-to pairing? A Cuban coffee with a splash of añejo rum – that combination amplifies the chocolate and coffee notes in the cigar beautifully. If you’re more of a whiskey person, go for something with a bit of sweetness, maybe a Speyside scotch like Glenfiddich 15 or a bourbon with caramel notes. The cigar has enough body to stand up to strong spirits without getting overwhelmed.
For non-alcoholic options, a quality espresso works wonderfully, or even a dark roast coffee with minimal cream. I’ve also had success pairing it with aged port – the sweetness plays really nicely against the earthy, leathery flavors. Time of day matters too. This isn’t a morning cigar unless you have a serious nicotine tolerance. Late afternoon or evening is ideal, preferably after a meal when you’ve got an hour or more to dedicate to it. Special occasions, celebrations, quiet evenings on the patio – that’s where the Capuletos shines. It’s contemplative without being demanding.
How does the Capuletos EL 2016 compare to regular Romeo y Julieta production cigars?
Night and day difference, honestly. The Capuletos uses tobacco from a specific harvest year with extended aging, giving it more complexity and strength than standard Romeo offerings. Where most Romeo y Julieta cigars stay firmly in the mild to medium range, the Capuletos pushes into medium-full territory with more pronounced earth, leather, and spice. If you find regular Romeos a bit too gentle, this is your gateway to what the brand can really do.
Should I smoke these now or age them further in my humidor?
They’re smoking beautifully right now – I tried one fresh and one with three years of additional aging, and both were excellent. That said, if you have the patience, another 2-3 years will mellow some of the spice and let the earthy flavors develop even more depth. I’d say smoke one now to establish a baseline, then revisit them annually if you’ve got a box. There’s no wrong answer here; these cigars were already aged before release, so they’re not going to taste green or harsh no matter when you light them up.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing Capuletos?
I keep mine at 65% relative humidity with a temperature around 65-68°F. Some people go higher, around 69-70%, but I find that can make the draw a bit too loose on these thicker ring gauges. The Capuletos has excellent construction, so it’s pretty forgiving, but keeping it on the drier side helps maintain that nice resistance on the draw and prevents any burn issues. Just make sure you’re not going below 62% or you’ll start losing some of those delicate flavor oils.
Are Capuletos hard to find since they’re an Edición Limitada from 2016?
Yeah, they’re getting scarcer every year. Most of the original production has been smoked or is sitting in collectors’ humidors aging. When you do find them, grab what you can afford because they’re not making any more. The good news is that proper retailers who stored them well will have boxes that are even better now than they were at release. Just make sure you’re buying from reputable sources – there are fakes out there, especially for popular Edición Limitadas.
What strength level is the Capuletos really – I’ve heard conflicting reports?
It sits firmly in the medium-full range, though it starts medium in the first third. I think the confusion comes from people comparing it to other Romeo y Julieta cigars, which are generally milder, so the Capuletos seems strong by comparison. But stack it against a Partagás Serie D or a Bolívar, and it’s definitely not full-bodied. If you regularly smoke medium cigars, you’ll find the Capuletos approachable but with more punch than you’d expect from the Romeo marca.
Can this cigar handle outdoor smoking, or is it too nuanced?
I’ve smoked these on patios, at outdoor lounges, even during a golf round – they hold up fine. The flavors are distinct enough that you won’t lose them just because there’s a breeze. That said, if it’s super windy, you might have some burn issues just because of the ring gauge. For the full experience, yeah, a calm environment is better, but don’t baby these. They’re not so delicate that you need perfect conditions to enjoy them.
How does the flavor profile change as the cigar ages in your humidor?
The spice mellows out considerably – that pepper on the retrohale becomes more of a gentle tingle than a sharp kick. The earth and leather notes become more integrated, almost like they blend together into this unified flavor rather than distinct components. Some people report picking up honey sweetness after extended aging, though I haven’t experienced that personally. The cream from the first third becomes silkier. Basically, it trades some of its youthful vibrancy for a more refined, cohesive smoke. Both profiles are excellent; it’s really about personal preference.
Final Thoughts on the Capuletos
The Romeo y Julieta Capuletos EL 2016 represents what happens when a historic brand takes risks and delivers something beyond its comfort zone. This isn’t just another mild Romeo – it’s a complex, medium-full smoke that rewards attention and patience. The construction is flawless, the flavor progression keeps you engaged throughout, and the overall experience justifies its Edición Limitada status. Whether you’re new to the Romeo marca or you’ve been smoking them for decades, the Capuletos offers something special.
If you’ve got access to these, don’t hesitate. They’re only getting harder to find, and the ones that have been properly stored are smoking at their peak right now. Set aside an evening, pour something you enjoy, and give the Capuletos the time it deserves. You won’t regret it.
