Romeo y Julieta Unveils Aged Short Churchills Reserva & 150th Anniversary “Amantes” Release

Romeo y Julieta continues to strengthen its position as one of Cuba’s most iconic cigar brands with two highly anticipated new releases arriving in Switzerland this month: the Short Churchills Reserva Cosecha 2019 and the commemorative Romeo y Julieta Amantes.

Both cigars represent the premium direction Habanos S.A. has taken in recent years, focusing on limited production, luxury packaging, and aged tobacco releases that appeal to collectors and experienced aficionados alike.

Short Churchills Reserva Cosecha 2019: Aged Tobacco from the 2019 Harvest

The Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills Reserva Cosecha 2019 has been on collectors’ radars since it was first previewed in early 2024. It is based on the standard Short Churchills vitola, measuring 4 7/8 x 50, a format widely appreciated for delivering a full smoking experience in a manageable time frame.

For this Reserva edition, all tobacco comes from the 2019 harvest grown in the famed Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río, considered the most prestigious tobacco-growing area in Cuba. According to Habanos S.A., the tobaccos used in this release were aged for three years, followed by extended aging of the finished cigars—one of the defining characteristics of the Reserva series.

The cigar is also distinguished by its black and silver Reserva banding, which is reserved only for Habanos’ aged releases.

Production will include 5,000 boxes of 20 cigars, along with an additional 5,000 three-count gift boxes, which are expected to be the primary format delivered to retailers first. In Switzerland, each three-count gift box is priced at CHF 534, placing this release firmly in the ultra-premium category.

At this time, there has been no confirmed timeline for when the 20-count boxes will reach retail shelves.

Romeo y Julieta Amantes: A New Vitola Celebrating 150 Years

Also arriving this month is the Romeo y Julieta Amantes, a cigar originally previewed during the XXV Festival del Habano.

The Amantes is produced in the Sobresalientes vitola, measuring 6 inches (153mm) x 53 ring gauge. This size has previously been used for several notable limited releases and is regarded as a balanced format capable of delivering both elegance and complexity.

The cigar is presented with a unique band design featuring the number 150, honoring the 150th anniversary of the Romeo y Julieta brand, which was celebrated in 2025. It also includes a distinctive secondary band at the foot displaying the name Amantes, giving it an unmistakable identity in any humidor.

Pricing is set at CHF 372 per box of five cigars, translating to just over CHF 74 per cigar, positioning it as a luxury commemorative release intended for collectors and enthusiasts.

There are also plans for a future 20-count packaging format, though a release date has not yet been announced.

Swiss Release Timeline

Both the Short Churchills Reserva Cosecha 2019 and Romeo y Julieta Amantes are scheduled to debut first at Swiss La Casa del Habano locations on February 17, followed by availability at Habanos Specialist retailers beginning February 24.

It is expected that both cigars will reach additional markets beyond Switzerland in the near future, though no official global distribution schedule has been confirmed.