Few cigars embody a fascinating chapter in the storied history of one of Cuba's most celebrated brands quite like the Romeo y Julieta Excepcionales. This machine-made vitola, known by its factory name "Petit Coronas," served as an accessible entry point into the Romeo y Julieta portfolio for decades before its eventual discontinuation.
History and Background
The Excepcionales made its debut prior to 1960, positioning it among the earlier releases in the brand's extensive catalog. For more than four decades, this cigar maintained its place in regular production, offering smokers a consistent and approachable smoking experience. The cigar's long production run finally came to an end in 2002, when it was officially discontinued from the Romeo y Julieta lineup.
Specifications
| Cigar Name | Excepcionales |
| Factory Name | Petit Coronas |
| Ring Gauge | 42 |
| Length | 129 mm (5⅛″) |
| Official Weight | 8.46 g |
| Construction | Machine-made |
| Band | Standard band A |
Construction and Presentation
As a machine-made cigar, the Excepcionales was produced using automated manufacturing processes rather than traditional hand-rolling techniques. This method of construction allowed for greater consistency across production runs while keeping costs accessible for everyday smokers.
The cigar featured Romeo y Julieta's standard band A, the classic presentation that has become synonymous with the brand's identity throughout the years.
Packaging Options
Throughout its production lifetime, the Excepcionales was available in several packaging configurations:
- Dress box of 10 cigars, each wrapped in cellophane
- Dress box of 25 cigars, each wrapped in cellophane
- Dress box of 25 cigars without cellophane
This variety of presentation options gave retailers and consumers flexibility in purchasing, whether seeking smaller quantities for personal consumption or larger boxes for aging and collection purposes.
Legacy
Though no longer in production, the Romeo y Julieta Excepcionales remains a point of interest for cigar historians and collectors of discontinued Cuban vitolas. Its four-decade-plus production run speaks to the enduring appeal of the Romeo y Julieta brand and the demand for quality machine-made cigars during the twentieth century.