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RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine Cigar Review

RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine Cigar Review

RoMa Craft Tobac Cigars launched in 2012 as a premium boutique cigars brand and in the past decade, the company has put its name to some of the hottest selling handmade cigars on the market. RoMa Craft CroMagnon is one of their highest-rated, earning a #15 ranking on the Best Cigars of 2016 list.

RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine is an extension of that line, switching out the original Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper for a medium-brown Ecuador Habano leaf. The result is a zesty, peppery sequel that's pleasing to a wide range of palates. Read on below for my full RoMa Craft Aquitaine review.

A little background to the Aquitaine line

The original RoMa Craft CroMagnon cigar was named after Cro-Magnon Man, one of the earliest human settlers in mainland Europe. Remains of this prehistoric community have been found in south-western France in the Dordogne department.

Dordogne is in the historical region of Aquitaine - and that's where the CroMagnon sequel gets its name. With no fewer than eight vitolas introduced under the Aquitaine line, you have plenty of choice over size, shape, and smoking time. Here I've selected the 4.5 x 60 Mandible, so please keep that in mind as you read through the rest of my RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine Mandible cigar review.

Cigar Specs

A look at the Aquitaine Mandible's construction

CroMagnon Aquitaine Mandible is a 4.5 x 60 stick at the smaller to middling end of the Aquitaine range of vitolas. In terms of construction, it is an expertly handmade cigar with carefully controlled veins and tight seams finished with an artisan triple cap.

The finishing touch is a high-contrast band bearing embossed 'Aquitaine' lettering, with a bright white edge. The overall aesthetic is extremely attractive, with the bright white tan lines really popping against the medium-brown tobacco and band.

What I thought about the cold draw

The cold draw is excellent, with a surprising sweet aspect to it. There's chocolate and nougat, combined with an overall earthy aroma. It's rich and powerful, which makes RoMa CroMagnon Aquitaine a great after-dinner smoke, paired with an Old Fashioned made with your favorite bourbon.

Flavors enjoyed from the cigar

Coffee is the primary flavor throughout the CroMagnon Aquitaine, which again works well as an after-dinner cigar. The sweetness will also help you to pair this smoke with a rich dessert, or just to enjoy it on its own. Savor the retrohales, which serve to enhance the smokiness of the whole experience.

First third

Out of the gate, coffee is the leading flavor in CroMagnon Aquitaine. The natural tobacco flavors are also very apparent, which is pleasing to the palate. Expect a sweetness of caramel which also brings richness and depth to the blend. Retrohales offer cedar smoke, increasing the overall complexity even further.

Second third

That woody smoke is not only on the retrohales now, as it comes through increasingly on the palate. Coffee is still present in abundance, and there's a delicate flavor profile developing as more herbal tastes start to come through.

Final third

Herbs transition into spices in the final third, peppering like fireworks over the earthy, woody base. As CroMagnon Aquitaine draws to a close, the lingering flavor is that of coffee, which is ever-present throughout this smoke, but always in a pleasant and perfectly balanced way.

How strong is the Aquitaine Mandible?

From the cold draw throughout the entire smoking journey, RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine Mandible is a strong cigar. I rate it as strong body and full strength. But there's subtlety in that strength too, with the herbs in the middle third and the spices toward the end - just be sure to eat a good meal before you light up.

Final thoughts

Medium strength is often seen as the 'dependable' choice for the mass market, so it's always great to see a boutique cigar that pushes that envelope. RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine Mandible is a heady mix of Nicaraguan tobaccos and that delicious Ecuador wrapper. Smoky, peppery, and rich with fresh-ground coffee flavors, it's a handmade cigar that you'll want to hold for a long time to come.

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