Description
Why the Romeo y Julieta Capuletos EL 2016 Deserves Your Attention
Look, I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’97, and I can tell you with complete confidence – limited editions are tricky territory. Half the time they’re just marketing smoke and mirrors. But here’s the thing: the Romeo y Julieta Capuletos EL 2016 isn’t one of those pretenders. This is a cigar that actually earned its special release status, and I’m going to tell you exactly why it stands out in the Romeo y Julieta lineup. We’re talking about a vitola that captures everything great about RyJ while adding layers of complexity you won’t find in the regular production stuff. Whether you’re already a Romeo fanatic or you’re looking for something special to celebrate with, what you’re about to learn might just change how you think about this classic brand.
What Makes This Limited Edition Special
Romeo y Julieta – and yeah, I know you’ve heard the name a thousand times – has been rolling cigars in Havana since 1875. But don’t let the familiarity breed contempt here. The Capuletos, released as a 2016 Edición Limitada, represents something different from your standard Romeo fare. Thing is, when Habanos SA decides to create a limited edition, they’re not just slapping a fancy band on regular production tobacco. These cigars use leaves that have been aged for a minimum of two years before rolling, which is double the standard aging period.
The Capuletos was designed specifically for aficionados who find the regular Romeo y Julieta line a bit too mellow but don’t want to jump ship to something like a Partagás. It’s that sweet spot – medium to full in strength – with all the creamy, elegant characteristics that made Romeo famous in the first place. I’ll be honest with you: this is the cigar I reach for when I want people to understand that Romeo y Julieta isn’t just your grandfather’s golf course smoke. It’s got backbone. The tobacco comes from the Vuelta Abajo region, which – if you know anything about Cuban tobacco – is basically the Napa Valley of cigar leaf. Premium doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Who’s this for? If you’re smoking Churchills and Coronas Gordas regularly, if you appreciate a cigar that takes its time revealing itself, and if you’ve got about two hours to really sit with something special – this is your cigar. Not gonna lie, beginners might find this a bit much. But if you’ve been around the block a few times, you’re going to appreciate what’s happening here.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Petit Edmundo |
| Length | 4.3 inches / 110 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 52 |
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Long Filler Blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 60-90 minutes |
The Smoking Experience – What You’re Actually Getting
Okay, so let me walk you through what happens when you light one of these up. And I’m not going to give you that generic “notes of earth and spice” nonsense. I’m talking about the real deal, what I actually experienced the last time I smoked one of these – which was, let me think, about three weeks ago on my back porch.
The cold draw hits you first with this beautiful cedar aroma. It’s not subtle. You know that smell when you open a well-maintained humidor? That’s what you’re getting, mixed with a slight sweetness that reminds me of dried fruit. Maybe figs? The construction on these is typically flawless – we’re talking perfectly packed, no soft spots, wrapper that’s got this slight oil sheen to it. That Colorado wrapper is gorgeous, by the way. Reddish-brown, minimal veins.
First third comes alive with a creamy pepper note that’s more refined than aggressive. Here’s what gets me: there’s this underlying sweetness that keeps the spice from overwhelming everything else. You’re getting cedar for sure, but there’s also this coffee note – not bitter espresso, more like a medium roast with cream. The retrohale brings out leather and maybe a touch of cocoa. The burn line stays razor sharp if you’re not puffing like a freight train. The ash holds for a solid inch before dropping, nice and white with that characteristic layered look that tells you the filler blend is spot-on.
Second third is where this cigar really earns its reputation. The flavors get richer, deeper. That coffee note I mentioned? It morphs into something closer to roasted nuts – almonds maybe, or hazelnuts. The cream stays consistent throughout, which is classic Romeo territory, but now you’re getting these waves of white pepper that come and go. It’s dynamic, you know? Not just sitting there being pleasant. And the strength builds. If you started this thinking it was going to be a mellow afternoon smoke, you’re realizing by now this has some muscle behind it. The aroma – and I remember my wife actually commented on this – fills the room with this rich, woody smell that’s honestly just beautiful.
Final third doesn’t fall apart like some cigars do. The spice kicks up a notch, I won’t lie about that. You’re getting more pronounced pepper now, both black and white varieties playing together. But that creamy, smooth character that defines Romeo never disappears. There’s an earthiness that emerges, almost like wet tobacco leaf, and the coffee notes circle back but darker this time. Think espresso grounds. The finish is long, coating your palate with cedar and leather that lingers for a good ten minutes after you set it down. I smoked mine down to the nub – couldn’t help myself – and it stayed cool and flavorful right to the end. No harshness, no bitterness. That’s quality construction right there.
How It Stacks Up Against Similar Cigars
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo y Julieta Capuletos EL 2016 | Medium-Full | 60-90 minutes | Aficionados wanting elegant power |
| Montecristo Petit Edmundo | Medium | 60-75 minutes | Classic Cuban experience, lighter touch |
| Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 | Medium | 75-90 minutes | Traditional flavors, more approachable |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Full | 60-75 minutes | Bold smokers wanting intensity |
Real talk: if you’re trying to decide between the Capuletos and something like a Montecristo Petit Edmundo, the Romeo gives you more complexity and strength. The Monte is smoother, sure, but it doesn’t have that same depth. And compared to a Partagás D4 – which I love, don’t get me wrong – the Capuletos is more refined, less in-your-face. It’s sophisticated power versus brute force.
What to Pair It With
Here’s where I get opinionated. This cigar deserves a proper pairing – don’t waste it on whatever’s convenient. My go-to? A nice añejo rum, something like Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva or Ron Zacapa 23. The sweetness and vanilla notes play beautifully with that creamy smoke. If you’re a whisky person – and I usually am – go for something with some age on it. A 15-year Glenfiddich works wonders, or if you want to go Scotch, a good Speyside like Macallan 12. The fruit and oak notes complement rather than compete.
Coffee works too, believe it or not. A proper Cuban coffee, strong and sweet, during the first half of the cigar. And look, I know some purists will hate me for this, but a good espresso martini after dinner with this cigar is absolute perfection. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Occasion-wise? This is an evening cigar, full stop. After a good meal, preferably with at least an hour or two before you need to be anywhere. It’s too substantial for morning, too demanding for casual afternoon smoking. This is celebration territory – promotion at work, anniversary dinner, or just a Friday night when you want to treat yourself right. Fall and winter are ideal seasons. Something about smoking this with a slight chill in the air just works.
What does EL mean and why does it matter?
EL stands for Edición Limitada, which is Habanos SA’s limited edition program. Here’s the thing – these aren’t just marketing gimmicks. Limited editions use tobacco aged for a minimum of two years before rolling (double the normal aging), they’re only produced for one year, and they feature unique vitolas you won’t find in regular production. For the Capuletos, this means richer, more developed flavors and a complexity you won’t get from standard Romeo y Julieta offerings. Once they’re gone, they’re gone, which is why vintage years matter for collectors and why you’ll see people hunting for specific EL releases years later.
How long should I age the Capuletos before smoking?
I’ll be honest with you: these were released in 2016, so by now they’ve got plenty of age on them already. That said, if you’re buying them fresh from release – which you’re probably not at this point – I’d give them at least six months to a year to settle down. The extra aging mellows out any rough edges and lets those complex flavors marry together. But between you and me, I’ve smoked these both young and with several years on them, and the aged versions are noticeably smoother with more integrated flavors. If you’ve got the patience and proper storage, another year or two in your humidor won’t hurt them at all. Just keep them at 65-68% humidity and around 65-70°F.
Is this stronger than regular Romeo y Julieta cigars?
Yes, significantly. Most Romeo y Julieta cigars sit firmly in mild to medium territory – that’s kind of their signature. The Capuletos pushes into medium-full strength, which catches some people off guard if they’re expecting typical RyJ mellowness. It’s not going to knock you over like a Bolivar or anything, but it’s definitely got more power than a Churchill or a Wide Churchill from the regular line. If you’re new to Romeos, this probably isn’t where you should start. But if you love the brand and wish it had more oomph, this is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
What’s the shelf life of these limited editions?
Look, properly stored Cuban cigars don’t really have an expiration date – they just keep getting better for decades. I’ve smoked Cubans from the 1980s that were phenomenal. The key is proper storage: stable humidity around 65-68%, temperature around 65-70°F, and keeping them away from light and temperature swings. The Capuletos from 2016 are already approaching premium aged territory. In another five to ten years, if stored properly, they’ll develop even more complexity and smoothness. Some collectors are sitting on boxes waiting for that ten-year mark. Thing is, you’ve got to actually smoke them at some point, right? They’re meant to be enjoyed, not just admired in a humidor.
How does the Petit Edmundo vitola affect the smoking experience?
The Petit Edmundo format – 4.3 inches by 52 ring gauge – is interesting because it’s short but fat. That thick ring gauge means you’re getting a lot of filler tobacco, which translates to complexity and strength. But the shorter length concentrates those flavors, making them more intense than you’d get from, say, a Churchill. It’s a format that delivers a full smoking experience in about 60-90 minutes rather than two-plus hours. The draw is typically very open and easy, and the burn tends to be excellent because of that generous ring gauge. Honestly, it’s become one of my favorite vitolas because you get all the flavor development without committing your entire evening to it.
What makes Vuelta Abajo tobacco special?
Vuelta Abajo is the Pinar del Río region in western Cuba, and it’s considered the absolute finest tobacco-growing region in the world. The soil, the climate, the generations of expertise – it all comes together to produce tobacco with unmatched complexity and flavor. When a cigar says it uses Vuelta Abajo tobacco for the wrapper and filler, you’re getting the best Cuba has to offer. That’s what creates those rich, layered flavors you taste in premium Habanos. The Capuletos uses exclusively Vuelta Abajo leaf, which is part of why the flavor profile is so developed and sophisticated. You can literally taste the difference compared to tobacco from other regions – there’s a smoothness and depth that’s hard to describe but impossible to miss once you know what you’re looking for.
Can beginners smoke the Capuletos or is it too advanced?
Hear me out: technically anyone can smoke it, but I wouldn’t recommend it as your first Cuban or even your first premium cigar. The strength level alone might be overwhelming if you’re not used to medium-full cigars, and honestly, you might not appreciate the complexity if you haven’t developed your palate yet. It’s like jumping straight to 18-year-old single malt when you’re just getting into whisky – you’ll miss half of what makes it special. Start with something milder from the Romeo line, maybe a Churchill or Exhibición No. 4, then work your way up. That said, if you’re an experienced smoker of non-Cuban premiums and you’re ready to explore Cuban territory, this could work. Just make sure you’ve eaten something substantial first and you’re not rushing through it. The last thing you want is getting nicotine sick on a premium limited edition.
Why You Should Add This to Your Collection
So here’s where we land. The Romeo y Julieta Capuletos EL 2016 isn’t just another limited edition cash grab. This is a legitimately special cigar that showcases what the Romeo brand can do when they push beyond their comfort zone. You’re getting aged Vuelta Abajo tobacco, expert construction, and a flavor profile that balances elegance with power – something that’s harder to achieve than it sounds. The vitola is practical, giving you that full experience without requiring half your day.
Between you and me, these are getting harder to find as the years go by. That’s the nature of limited editions – once they’re gone, you’re hunting on the secondary market and hoping previous owners stored them properly. If you appreciate Cuban cigars, if you want something special for meaningful occasions, or if you’re just tired of smoking the same regular production stuff everyone else has, this deserves a spot in your humidor.
Is it the absolute best cigar I’ve ever smoked? No, and anyone who tells you any single cigar is “the best” is either lying or hasn’t smoked enough cigars. But it’s damn good, it’s distinctive, and it represents excellent craftsmanship from one of Cuba’s most historic brands. Sometimes that’s all you need. Light one up properly, give it the time and attention it deserves, and I think you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about. And if you don’t? Well, more for the rest of us.
