Pre-light Experience

The RoMa Craft Neanderthal LH is pressed quite lovely and it has that well known flat cap. The wrapper is slightly toothy throughout and with that are some medium sized veins that are few and scattered throughout. The wrapper has a leather like texture, little bit of grit present as well and it is medium to dark Natural with some Colorado aspects as well. A dark brown with a slightly reddish hue. The cigar is giving off an aroma of strong tobacco, dark spices, leather, wood, earth and chocolate cake.

First Third

The first third begins with some red pepper notes and I am getting a lemon citrus pairing with that. There are some strong barnyard notes and with that are some grass qualities. There is strong tobacco on top of that and the finish is of charred oak and dry earth. It has got a full flavor profile and it is matching the full body and strength level. It is strong, but balanced.

Second Third

There is great transitioning in the second third of the cigar and I am picking up some dry earth and peppery spice notes. Chocolate covered espresso beans work their way into the fold and the finish is that charred oak, barnyard and some new dried currant qualities. Fantastic second third that is delivering a full flavor profile with that full body and strength level as well.

Final Third

The final third shows some transitioning as well and I am getting some mocha and creamy qualities up front. There are those earth and espresso bean notes as well, and the finish is woody with spice and mineral qualities. It is full flavored, hits you in the face, while also complex and showing depth. Like before, full in strength and body as well.

Burn

The burn was fantastic from start to finish. Even burn with a thin burn line. Solid charcoal ash on the end.

Draw

Draw was great from start to finish. Nice level of resistance with some ease in the press. Nice amount of smoke being produced as well.

Overall

Neanderthal LH was not a cigar that I was focusing on in 2019. I have never been completely sold on the Neanderthal line, and when I it came to RoMa Craft Cigars, Baka was what was grabbing my attention this year. I got distracted by the shiny new toy. But, I was wrong! I am going to go with another site and say that this is the hit of 2019 for RoMa Craft. The RoMa Craft Neanderthal LH is a fantastic size and takes the line to a higher level. Even if you have been a fan of the Neanderthal line, you need to understand that this vitola is an improvement. It lets you get that great filler blend with the larger ring gauge and the pressing really helps the wrapper and the smoking experience. This cigar is not about the wrapper, but the filler blend. Yes, the wrapper has the part but try to catch up. There is complexity from beginning to end and with that, transitioning. This is not just a full strength cigar, but a cigar that has body and flavors to match. On top of that, the construction is great. It is a cigar one should try, especially if you were not a fan of the original Neanderthals and even if you don’t gravitate towards full strength and body cigars, man up. Smoke this later in the evening when you’ve had a big meal. Neanderthal LH is a big win for the company.

Seth Geise

SCORE

7.98

Cost/Point

$1.88

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: RoMa Craft Neanderthal LH