Today’s post features another Cuban cigar on Polski Aficionado. Below, I share my tasting impressions of the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills.
From the moment I smoked the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills, I knew that sooner or later it would be time for the cigar reviewed today. In fact, had I been choosing purely on my own, this is probably the one I would have reached for first. The Short Churchills left a very strong impression on me, and I found myself expecting similar qualities from its bigger brother. As is often the case, expectations rarely align with reality – and despite being fully aware of that, I keep falling for the same trick. Well… I’m only human.
Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills
The Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills made its debut back in 2010, which, in cigar terms, already gives it a bit of history. Among the brand’s regular production offerings, it stands out primarily for its generous ring gauge. While researching this cigar, I came across the factory name of the format – Montesco. I have to admit, factory designations (vitola de galera, as they’re known in Spanish) have never meant much to me. I simply haven’t been immersed in the world of Cuban cigars long enough to feel fluent in that terminology. I’m far more accustomed to the broader, more familiar size names – Robusto being a personal favorite.
Getting back to the cigar itself, the Wide Churchills is entirely handmade using Cuban tobacco. One of the visual details that sets it apart from other Romeo y Julieta offerings is the additional band bearing the line’s name, placed just below the main band. Over the years, the cigar has earned recognition among cigar smokers around the world, a fact underscored by its inclusion on the list of top cigars published by one of the industry’s most widely read cigar magazine.
A Few Technical Notes
The cigar is produced in the Montesco vitola, though returning to more familiar territory, it sits somewhere between a Robusto and a Gordito. It measures 5 1/8 inches in length with a 55 ring gauge – solid dimensions that suggest, to borrow a phrase from Piotr Siwiński, a longer date rather than a brief encounter.
Visually, the cigar leans toward the lighter side. It’s hard to say whether this is purely the wrapper itself or the presence of the gold secondary band beneath the main one, but the overall impression is slightly golden. The Wide Churchills is made entirely from Cuban tobacco sourced from the Vuelta Abajo region in Pinar del Río, an area widely regarded as the benchmark for premium tobacco cultivation.
The presentation is completed by two bands: the primary band bearing the Romeo y Julieta name, and a secondary band identifying the specific line. The latter, rendered in gold with black lettering, adds a touch of elegance and sets the cigar apart visually.
The Cut
I decided to open the cigar with a straight cut, but before doing so, I spent a moment paying closer attention to its aroma. The wrapper scent immediately caught my attention, presenting itself as distinctly sweet. With a deeper nosing, that sweetness develops into something I would best describe as creamy and milky, almost cheese-like, supported by a touch of cedar.
Once cut, the draw proved to be very good. Even before lighting, the cold draw delivers clear notes of cedar wood along with a hint of earthiness.
The Light
I thoroughly warmed the foot with a torch lighter before bringing the cigar to life with a series of short, gentle puffs. After setting it down briefly to let it settle, I moved on to the actual tasting. The opening flavors were led by leather, with a touch of earth lingering in the background. I also picked up a citrus note that came across most clearly as orange peel. Soon after, a cinnamon-like spice joined the profile, giving the overall flavor a character reminiscent of warm baking spices. Overall, the profile is quite enjoyable.
Strength & Body
In terms of strength, the cigar sits comfortably in the medium range.
Aroma & Smoke
The Wide Churchills produces a generous amount of aromatic smoke, dominated by cedar with a subtle earthy undertone.
Construction & Burn
The burn line remains mostly even and requires no touch-ups, while the ash holds on surprisingly well.
A word from Piotr Siwiński
Romeo y Julieta holds a special place in my cigar-loving heart. Every cigar bearing this name tends to evoke positive associations, though I won’t hide the fact that it was the Short Churchills that left the strongest impression on me. It was with that cigar that my senses truly opened up, giving me the feeling of uncovering successive layers of flavor hidden within the blend.
I came to the Wide Churchills later on, already having heard that it is the most popular format within the line. I accepted that information with a certain degree of surprise, as my experience with the Short Churchills made it difficult to see the Wide as a natural favorite. Comparing the two made me realize just how significantly size and format can alter the perception of a blend – even when the name and band are exactly the same.
Much like Mateusz, I also found the Wide Churchills to express itself differently. In my case, it came across as drier, more cedar-forward, and noticeably more restrained. I didn’t encounter the citrus notes that Mateusz mentioned in his impressions. While this is a solid, well-balanced cigar that will undoubtedly appeal to many smokers, it lacked the spark I experienced with the Short Churchills. For that reason, despite the Wide’s popularity, the shorter sibling remains, in my view, the fuller and more engaging experience. For those looking to experience the essence of Romeo y Julieta in a more concentrated form, the Short Churchills strikes me as the more obvious choice.
Final Thoughts on the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills
This is a very enjoyable cigar, though I have to admit that once again, my intuition didn’t quite lead me in the right direction. The Short Churchills mentioned earlier simply resonated with me more. That’s not to say the Wide Churchills is disappointing – rather, when placed side by side with its more compact sibling, it comes up slightly short.
The cigar is visually appealing, offers an excellent draw, and what I like to call its burning culture only reinforces that impression. Add to that an engaging and well-defined flavor profile, and the overall experience remains a positive one. It’s a cigar I can confidently recommend, even if – given the choice – I would personally reach for the Short Churchills again.
The cigar for this review was provided by Szymon Kwiatkowski of Premium Cigars
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
