Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the RoMa Craft Aquitaine in the Mandible (Petit Gordo) size. This is a cigar we have assessed back in back in January, 2015 in the Venus size.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Ligero
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaraguan (3 Fillers): Esteli, Condega, and a ligero leaf from Pueblo Nuevo (a small farm north of Esteli on the Honduran border)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño S.A.
Mandible: 4 1/2 x 60
The Aquitaine line is one of RoMa Craft Tobac’s core offerings. Launched back in 2012, the line is a variant of the company’s original line, the CroMagnon. While the Aquitaine uses a similar binder and filler to the original CroMagnon, the one difference is that the Aquitaine replaces CroMagnon’s Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The remainder of the blend utilizes a Cameroon binder and three fillers from Nicaragua.
The names CroMagnon and Aquitaine pay homage to early man. In particular, Aquitaine is a region of Southern France known to be a settlement for Ancient Man. The name Mandible was given to the 4 1/2 x 60 petit Gordo offering in both the CroMagnon and Aquitaine lines. A mandible is the largest bone in the human skull. It holds the lower teeth in place.
The Aquitaine Mandible delivered a profile of sweet natural tobacco, coffee, classic wood, and exotic spice. Early on the coffee and natural tobacco notes were primary. There was also a savory characteristic present with the primary notes. As the cigar experience progressed, the natural tobacco and savory notes moved into the background and the woody notes joined the coffee notes in the forefront. The second half of the Mandible saw an increase in the spicy notes.
The flavors of the Aquitaine Mandible were medium-bodied countered by medium strength. The cigar had an excellent draw. The Mandible did require several touch-ups along the way, but this didn’t prove to be a burdensome burn.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
If I had to pick the one line in the RoMa Craft Tobac portfolio that I would reach for first, it would be the Aquitaine. I’ve found each size offers a very unique flavor. Folks who know me know I enjoy a 60 ring gauge cigar. While the Mandible wouldn’t be my first choice within the Aquitaine line itself, it still is a solid cigar that delivers the sweet and savory characteristics I enjoy from this line. Surprisingly, I found this cigar to be a little more dialed back than some of the other Aquitaines, but this is not a negative and more of an observation. In the end, this is a cigar I could recommend to any cigar enthusiast. It’s one that I would buy and smoke again.
Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Coffee, Wood, Savory Notes, Exotic Spice
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good
Rating
Value: Buy One
Score: 89
References
Previous Assessment: RoMa Craft Tobac Aquitaine Venus
News: RoMa Craft Tobac Aquitaine
Price: $8.15
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: RoMa Craft Tobac
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
The Roma Aquitaine Mandible has become a go-to for me. I love a 60 ring gauge cigar. While I would prefer a longer cigar, the short length of this baby is a good 45-50 minute offering. The flavor is strong and full. I do find them to be slightly inconsistent ranging from great (most of the time) to “just ok” maybe 30 percent of the time. My shop sells them for $5.99, in this day a branded handmade cigar is hard to come by at that price. Smoking one right now and loving it. Great review, I agree with your notes.