Intemperance is defined as- lack of moderation or restraint and in the case of cigars I find myself in that category. I love my cigars, I enjoy them anytime of the day and always have a few on me wherever I go. Of course if you enjoy cigars you know exactly what I am talking about.
So it goes without saying, that naming a cigar “Intemperance”, as RoMa Craft Tobac and Skip Martin did in 2012 it fed right to our desires.
In the words of the great American author, Mark Twain;
“I never smoke to excess – that is, I smoke in moderation, only one cigar at a time”
The RoMa Craft website explains:
“The branding for Intemperance evokes the history of prohibition and features a logo inspired by a famous artifact of the temperance movement, a propaganda poster/political print produced by a temperance hymnodist, A.D. Fillmore in 1855.”
- Wrapper – Ecuador Connecticut
- Binder – Indonesia
- Filler – Nicaragua/Dominican Republic
The Intemperance EC XVIII is available in 5 vitolas and comes packaged in 24-count cedar cabinet boxes.
- The Charity – 4 x 46 Petito – (MSRP $5.25)
- The Virtue – 4.5 x 52 Short Robusto – (MSRP $6.00)
- The Faith – 5 x 50 Short Perfecto – (MSRP $6.50)
- The Brotherly Kindness – 5 x 56 Gran Robusto – (MSRP $7.00)
- The Industry – 5.5 x 54 Belicoso – (MSRP $7.00)
Today’s review focuses on the Intemperance EC XVIII – The Virtue.
Pre-Light Review
The RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII is a golden tan, silky smooth, cigar that has a slightly exposed binder on the foot. It is finished with a well applied double cap. There is practically no veins along the barrel, the seams are tight, and the cigar is packed tight and heavy in the hand. Now before I get into the review, let me say the price on this cigar is amazing and the look is stunning so anything it offers is going to be a bonus and as you will read it is a big bonus!
The Intemperance EC XVIII is adorned with a single band that simply states “Intemperance Cigars “. Why spend extra for the band when the cigar is what we want anyway – kudos to Skip for keeping it simple.
Running the cigar across the nose, I picked up aromas of sweet hay and fruit on the foot and a sweet musky aroma on the wrapper.
Once the cap was sliced off, the cold draw offered palate tempting notes of cinnamon, sweetness, and a growing pepper as I rolling it about. The draw was perfectly restricted.
Like I said this is a fine cigar and we are just getting started!
Cigar Review Notes
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII
- Initial light brings the sweetness and cinnamon to the palate getting things rolling right from the start
- Roasted nut joins the mix early
- Salt and pepper ash develops on a straight and medium char line
- Flavors have maintained through the first third with the natural sweetness increasing
- There is a floral fruit aroma wafting off the long
- The ash is solid and well-formed
- Oils develop well on the wrapper above the burn line
- A bitter citrus peel appears into the second third – much akin to an IPA bitterness
- The bitterness is in a tango with the sweetness for dominance like sugar on grapefruit
- My puff rate slowed and I had to tap the ash to relight or the ash would have lasted longer
- The burn cone is centered and flat
- Sweet Buttery notes enter near end of second third as the bitter fades
- Cedar and leather notes finish the journey down to the nub
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 15 minutes
Overall, the RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII was an excellent performing cigar that started with delicious flavor notes and evolved into a dance of flavors. Though some may not find the bitter notes appealing, I liked how it balanced with the sweetness. The burn was pristine and for the price this is an easy box buy or split to keep in your rotation. I would certainly enjoy this as a morning cigar with a sweet cup of coffee. Intemperance indeed, I need to smoke more!
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat Burn Cone; (-1) Mild Wave in Burn; (-1) Touch of Bitterness
Bonus Points: (+1) Nice Oiling above the Burn Line
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII