The Romeo y Julieta cigar is one of the oldest and most familiar names in Havana. Founded in 1875, the brand is best known for one size, the Churchill, and for a balanced, medium-strength style. This profile covers its history, its key vitolas, its flavour in general terms and how it fits into the Malaysian scene.
Two brands with one name
First, the trademark question. The Cuban Romeo y Julieta belongs to the Cuban state and is sold worldwide by Habanos S.A. After the revolution, however, a non-Cuban version appeared for the American market. Today Altadis U.S.A. makes it in the Dominican Republic.
These are different cigars with different tobacco. Since 2020, Altadis U.S.A. and a half share in Habanos have sat with companies backed by the same investor group, yet the products stay separate. This page covers the Cuban brand.
History of the Romeo y Julieta cigar
Inocencio Álvarez and Manín García registered the brand in 1875. They took the name from Shakespeare’s tragedy, a popular choice in an era of literary cigar names.
Then, in 1903, José “Pepín” Rodríguez Fernández bought the company. He was a natural promoter. According to Habanos, he was among the first to see the cigar band as a selling tool, and he offered personalised bands to important clients. He even raced a horse named Julieta.
The brand’s most famous fan was Winston Churchill. After his 1946 visit to Havana, his name appeared on Romeo y Julieta bands. As a result, the long 178 × 47 size became known as the Churchill, a name the whole industry later adopted. Rodríguez died in 1954, and the Cuban government nationalised the business after the revolution.
How it is made
Habanos says the blend uses filler and binder leaf from the Vuelta Abajo in Pinar del Río. The long-filler sizes are rolled entirely by hand. In addition, many sizes come in aluminium tubes, a packaging style closely linked with the brand. Tubes protect cigars in transit, although they do not replace proper storage.
Well-known sizes
The range is large. Habanos lists the Short Churchill (2006), the Wide Churchill (2010) and the Petit Churchill (2012), all spun off from the flagship. In 2020 the Línea de Oro added three fuller cigars: Dianas, Hidalgos and Nobles.
| Cigar | Length × ring gauge | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Churchills | 178 mm × 47 | Churchill |
| Short Churchills | 124 mm × 50 | Robusto |
| Wide Churchills | 130 mm × 55 | Short gordo |
| Petit Churchills | 102 mm × 50 | Short robusto |
| Belicosos | 140 mm × 52 | Belicoso |
| Mille Fleurs | 129 mm × 42 | Petit corona |
For a closer look at the flagship, read our Romeo y Julieta Churchill review. Our guide to types of cigars explains these shapes in more detail.
House style and flavour
In general terms, the brand sits in the middle of the Cuban range. Habanos calls it a classic medium-flavoured Habano. Smokers commonly describe cedar, light cocoa, floral notes and a gentle sweetness, with less pepper than Partagás or Bolívar.
That balance makes it a common choice for long, relaxed smokes. Still, flavour depends on age and storage, so treat any description as a rough guide rather than a promise.
Strengths and criticisms
On the plus side, the brand offers an easy, aromatic profile and a size for almost every occasion. Its history also gives it a strong sense of place in Cuban cigar culture.
By contrast, critics point to its sheer scale. Romeo y Julieta is one of Cuba’s biggest-selling brands, and some smokers find quality uneven across its many sizes. Others feel the milder sizes can taste thin, especially when young.
Romeo y Julieta in Malaysia
Outside the US, the Romeo y Julieta cigar you will meet is normally the Cuban one. In Malaysia, Habanos cigars come in through The Pacific Cigar Company, the official Habanos distributor for the Asia-Pacific region. Real boxes carry the Habanos warranty seal, and our guide to counterfeit cigars explains what else to check.
Remember, too, that Act 852 limits tobacco advertising and bans online sales; see our page on Act 852 and cigar law. Malaysia’s humidity can also soften cigars fast, while air-conditioning dries them out. Our cigar storage guide covers both, and our page on cigar health risks explains why no cigar is safe.
Where to read more
- Cuban cigars: the pillar guide to Habanos
- Cuban cigar history: how the old brands passed to the state
- Cigar sizes: how the Churchill compares with other shapes
- Cigar brands: every profile in our directory
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Romeo y Julieta?
Inocencio Álvarez and Manín García founded the brand in Havana in 1875. In 1903 José “Pepín” Rodríguez Fernández bought it and made it famous abroad.
Why is a Churchill cigar called a Churchill?
The size is named after Sir Winston Churchill, a devoted Romeo y Julieta smoker. Habanos says his name appeared on the bands after his 1946 visit to Havana.
Is Romeo y Julieta a mild cigar?
Habanos rates it medium. It is fuller than a mild Dominican cigar but gentler than Partagás or Bolívar. The newer Línea de Oro is rated medium to full.
Are Romeo y Julieta cigars made outside Cuba?
Yes. Altadis U.S.A. makes a different Romeo y Julieta in the Dominican Republic for the US market. It shares the name but not the tobacco or the blend.
