I’m in my garage, the evening sun casting a warm glow over my workbench. My Les Paul rests there, with its new strings ready for tuning and its body shining with polish. I’m revisiting the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Churchill, a 7-inch, 50-ring-gauge cigar I smoked years ago. Its Nicaraguan wrapper gleams chestnut, crafted at AJ Fernandez’s Estelí factory. At ~$9.30 a stick or $232.50 for a box of 25, this puro offers a 120-minute journey. I clip the cap, settle in, and let my workspace’s hum set the rhythm.
Let’s light it up and see if its long burn still hits.
The Roots
Cigar Playlist
The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy” (2011): Raw grit for the peppery opening.
Norah Jones – “Come Away With Me” (2002): Silky jazz for the creamy wheat vibe.
Soundgarden – “Black Hole Sun” (1994): Dark depth for the coffee notes.
Wilco – “Impossible Germany” (2007): Twisting riffs for the gin-like finish.
Tom Waits – “Closing Time” (1973): Gritty close for the earthy fade.
What the Pros Say
Cigar Aficionado gave the Churchill a 93, praising its creamy caramel, spices, and coffee over a leathery core. Halfwheel scored the line 88, noting consistency but minor burn issues. Its #9 spot on Cigar Aficionado’s 2022 list seals its reputation.90
The Smoke Stats
- Name: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Churchill
- Length: 7 Inches
- Ring Gauge: 50
- Wrapper: Nicaragua
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Origin: Nicaragua
- Release Date: May 2020
The Experience: From Start to Finish
First Look: Pre-Light Impressions
The Churchill feels solid in my hand, its Nicaraguan wrapper a deep, oily chestnut with fine veins and a silky sheen. AJ Fernandez’s Estelí craft shines, promising a 120-minute smoke. The band carries Romeo’s classic style, and the cigar’s firm roll has a perfect cap and tight seams. Before lighting, the wrapper smells of cedar and tobacco. The foot adds a sweet, dried fruit note, like warm figs. The cold draw is smooth, with a sharp white pepper zing, softened by creamy hay and toffee, hinting at a complex ride.
I light it, adjusting a guitar string’s pitch, ready for the groove.
Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey
The first third surprises. Instead of black pepper, I get a crisp wheat cracker note, toasty and light, mixed with damp earth. A creamy texture fills the palate, offering a medium-to-full body with thick smoke. However, a white pepper spark on the retrohale adds vibrancy. The burn wavers once, needing a lighter’s nudge, but it’s a minor quirk in a smooth start, richer than my Robusto memory.
In the middle third, the wheat fades into a creamy latte richness, velvety and warm. White pepper pops now and then. Cedar and toasty earth anchor the profile, evoking fresh-baked bread. The body grows fuller, and the smoke stays smooth. The burn steadies, with light-gray ash holding an inch, showing AJ’s skill. Yet, the pepper’s fleeting nature keeps the groove lively.
The final third shifts to a gin-like juniper and pepper burn, with smooth espresso and a salty wheat echo. Black pepper adds edge, but the burn slows, resisting quick puffs. This extends the 120-minute smoke, needing patience. The retrohale blends bread, lavender, and creamy pepper, like floral toast. Still, a faint bitterness softens the close, ending a long ride.
Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship
AJ Fernandez rolls the Churchill with precision. Its Nicaraguan wrapper is smooth and oily, with tight seams and no soft spots, showing Estelí’s top craft. The draw is perfect, with slight resistance, producing creamy smoke that stays cool for 120 minutes. The burn is mostly even, though needed a touch-up. It slows in the final third, asking for a slow pace. The light-gray ash holds firm, flaking little, delivering a solid performance.
Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking
The Churchill starts with crisp wheat cracker and damp earth, sweetened by creamy cedar and toffee. White pepper sparks the retrohale, giving a vibrant, medium-to-full start, perfect for a long smoke. Next, the middle third shifts to latte-like creaminess with toasty minerals and black pepper surprises. The retrohale offers bread, lavender, and cream, contrasting the palate’s warmth. Finally, the final third brings gin-like juniper, espresso, and a salty edge. A faint bitterness tempers the close, but it’s complex and deep in this size.
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Strength & Body: The Power Within |
The Churchill’s strength is medium-to-full, building a steady nicotine buzz, balanced for seasoned or intermediate smokers seeking depth without a punch. It stays stable over the 120-minute smoke. The body is silky, like a rich cortado, carrying dense flavors—wheat, cedar, espresso. These blend vibrancy and smoothness. However, a late bitterness slightly softens the impact.
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Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience |
These pairings lift the Churchill’s 120-minute ride, making it even better:
- Drinks: Aged bourbon (enhances wheat, cedar); dark rum (boosts espresso); black coffee (grounds earth); dark chocolate hot cocoa (matches creamy latte).
- Foods: Smoked gouda (complements toffee); bittersweet chocolate (pairs with pepper).
Enjoy these after dinner for a long, relaxing session.
Value: Worth the Price?
The Churchill costs ~$9.30 per stick or $232.50 for a box of 25. It offers strong value with AJ Fernandez’s craft, complex flavors, and a 120-minute burn. This price competes well with other Nicaraguan puros. Minor burn quirks and a slight bitter close don’t dim its quality. It’s a smart pick for regular smokes or sharing with friends.
Our Rating:
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The Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Churchill earns a Refined. Its wheat, cedar, and espresso notes craft a complex experience. A slow final burn and faint bitterness temper the high notes. At ~$9.30, it’s a steal for AJ’s craft, ideal for a long, flavorful session, solo or with friends. |
Final Thoughts
Revisiting the Churchill is like retuning my new guitar strings. Each note feels familiar yet reveals new depth. The wheat cracker start, creamy latte middle, and gin-like finish weave a rich journey. AJ Fernandez’s Nicaraguan puro shines with cedar, pepper, and espresso. A slow final burn and slight bitterness don’t outweigh its value and complexity. My playlist hums, the guitar gleams, and this smoke remains a soulful groove worth savoring.
Own the Smoke: Make It Yours
The Churchill suits intermediate to seasoned smokers craving a medium-to-full smoke with wheat, cedar, and peppery kicks. It’s perfect to unwind after dinner. Widely available, it’s an easy grab. Light it up, play your tunes, and let Nicaragua’s soul roll.
