Pre-light Experience

The unique cone shape of the RoMa Craft CRAFT 2018 is the first thing you notice about the cigar followed by the candela accents covering the foot and running up about a quarter inch along with the thin strip that is present about a half inch from the head. The primary wrapper is dark brown with a slight red hue and has a few slightly raised veins present. The seams are smooth and really only detectable due to the vein layout. The head is finished off with a well applied double cap.The aroma from the wrapper is a slightly damp wood along with a faint white pepper. The aroma from the candela covered foot is a nearly non-detectable grassiness. The pre-light draw is tight due to the covered foot, but I’m able to get some wood along with some sweet hay and a mild pepper spice on my lips.

First Third

The initial draws bring some grassiness as it burns through the closed candela foot. As the exposed candela is burned through, I begin picking up some wood along with a mild black pepper. At a half inch in, a heavy and gritty earthiness has joined the wood and mild black pepper. At an inch in, the pepper has dissipated and the wood and earthy notes remain. The retrohale consists of a very musty wood note with some dry earthiness. As the third comes to a close, the earthiness lightens up a bit as the wood has a slight lead. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, some mustiness joins the mix of wood and slightly dry earthiness and creates a more well rounded profile. At a half inch in, some slight mintiness joins the profile as the mustiness recedes a bit. At an inch in, the mustiness picks back up as it is even with the wood and earthiness. As the third comes to a close, a slight vegetal note joins the profile. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, both the vegetal note and mustiness increase while the wood and earthiness are now behind the mustiness. At a half inch in, the earthiness is gone from the profile as the mustiness remains up front and is supported by the wood and vegetal notes. The retrohale provides a musty wood note. At an inch in, the mustiness recedes quite a bit as the vegetal note disappears while the wood becomes quite dark. The strength in this third finished out at medium-full.

Burn

The burn was a little wavy throughout, but it always kept up with itself and didn’t require any attention. The ash held on in two inch increments.

Draw

The draw was a bit snug the entire way but I didn’t feel like it affected the smoking experience.

Overall

The reduction of the ring gauge as the RoMa Craft CRAFT 2018 went along definitely took me through a journey of flavor concentration. I felt like the second third was the best representation of flavors as it combined the best of the wood, mustiness, earthiness and vegetal notes. Construction was pretty good aside from a snug draw and allowed me to focus on the flavors presented. This is a cigar geared towards those that like darker flavors in the wood and earthiness but also like some strength to go along with it. The strength wasn’t overpowering, but could overwhelm those not accustomed to it. I wouldn’t see myself going back to this cigar that often, but I would smoke more from time to time if they were accessible.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.70

Cost/Point

$2.63

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: RoMa Craft CRAFT 2018