This month’s review by Mr. Clay the Cigar Guy from The Cigar Society, is the 1875 Bully (5 x 50) by Romeo y Julieta. Since I do not smoke many cigars with Indonesian wrappers, I would be lying to you if I said this cigar is always present in my humidor of go-to cigars. I had a few left over from an event and thought I would reacquaint myself with it. To be true, when I first started smoking this cigar in early 2020, I was surprised at how often I would pick one up to smoke. I developed an appreciation for it, and when I want or need a lighter to mild cigar, this is it for me. This early Saturday morning, I am enjoying this cigar at home with a hot cup of coffee from a locally owned coffee company, Dirty Duck Coffee.
Today, I am once again going to smoke indoors, because these Texas summers are a total joke, but not a funny one. Also, a cigar “buzz” hits different in the heat, but not in a good way. I grab the Bully from my personal humidor, placing it between my fingers as I grab my cigar punch, which is a rarity for me. A cigar punch is just that. You place the punch on the cap of the cigar (top) and gently push it down. The result is a nicely formed circular hole that streamlines all of the flavor onto your palate. I flip the top of my refillable Firebird Triple Torch, push the button, and wait for the flame to appear. Once it does, I slightly move my torch forth and back, toasting, then whitening the end of my cigar. Picture in your mind getting coals to turn white before throwing a ribeye on the grill. Once that is complete, I take a deep draw of this cigar made by one of the giants of the industry, Romeo y Julieta.
I taste coffee and a tad bit of cinnamon, but I am a bit confused because I have not even taken a sip of my Cinnamon Teal Snickerdoodle coffee from Dirty Duck Coffee yet. However, that is what I taste. Then after a few minutes, I start to taste hazelnut, making it a sweeter, more savory cigar. I smoke this cigar at my own pace, as it is Saturday morning with a great book and a wonderful cup of coffee. The draws are long, drawn-out affairs for me, as usual. I want to taste every note on every pull. As the minutes start to add up, I begin to taste the leather and wood notes that this cigar is known for. As I get into the middle third of this cigar, I’m drinking my coffee, and I notice a slight change in the flavor profile. For me, I started to taste the coffee notes more, and gained a small hint of citrus, which was different. As this happens, I am reminded of how many times a well-matched pairing between a quality cigar and a great cup of coffee can change your entire tasting experience. The final third of this cigar reminds me why this is a cigar to smoke any time of the day. The grand finale hits with a creamy finish, really pushing that coffee profile forward. In my opinion, the coffee, hazelnut and creamy notes make this cigar a wonderful dessert and coffee cigar. It really ties everything together, putting a picture-perfect finish on an exceptional meal. Pairing a great coffee with a cigar from a powerhouse cigar company worked out amazingly. Do yourself a favor and pick up a Romeo y Julieta 1875 Bully from Free Roam Brewing, Roc n Rita’s, and either the Fair Oaks or Comfort locations of Spotted Deer Coffee. Remember, the drink you decide to pair your cigar with can make or break your whole tasting and pairing experience.
The 1875 Bully is widely regarded as a classic and fairly priced cigar from one of the cigar industry’s big boys, Romeo y Julieta. The 1875 line is one of, if not the most famous cigar lines from Romeo y Julieta. The Bully is a light to medium-bodied smoke that offers a flavorful experience with a focus on coffee, creamy smoke, nuts, and a hint of cedar. Personally, I like the transitions from one note to another. Overall, I think the 1875 line is the flagship of the Romeo y Julieta brand.
Key Points from Reviews:
Flavor Profile:
The Romeo y Julieta 1875 Bully is known for flavors like cedar, coffee, cream, leather, and occasionally hints of hazelnut, citrus, or spice.
Body and Strength:
It’s generally considered a light to medium-bodied cigar.
Construction:
Some reviewers have reported construction issues, such as draw problems. I found the burn and draw to be excellent.
Pairing:
Scotch, Bourbon, Rum, IPA, Lager, Coffee or Espresso.
More from the TKG cellar: Romeo y Julieta has been earning its reputation for over a century. For another Altadis benchmark worth lighting, see our review of Espada Ricasso by Montecristo. And when you’re ready to talk about what’s in the glass, Mashbills: The Agricultural Recipe for Whiskey connects grain to glass.
