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On this episode of Smoke Rings, we'll be taking a closer look at one of my favorite cigars: the RoMa Craft CroMagnon Mode 5. For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, RoMa Craft was founded in 2011 by Skip Martin and Mike Rosales, and since then, they've released one excellent cigar after another, among them the CroMagnon Mode 5. In fact, this 5" x 50 Perfecto offers a fantastic introduction to the brand and showcases RoMa Craft's signature approach to blending and construction quite well.
Jumping right in, the cigar features a beautiful, dark, oily US Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper; moreover, what I particularly like about this cigar, what really brings out the flavor profile, is RoMa Craft's use of a very unique Cameroon binder as well as three different Nicaraguan tobaccos in the filler. That combination really enhances the flavor profile and the ease of combustion throughout the smoke. Additionally, the shape-and-size combination is really interesting. This isn't your basic 5" x 50 Robusto; it's actually tapered, making it more of a petite Perfecto, and that slight compression toward the foot lends a little more complexity and makes the experience a bit more dynamic as the surface area changes throughout the smoke.
Upon the first light, the CroMagnon Mode 5 comes alive with notes of baking spice, some creamy vanilla, and a little bit of toasted caramel. There's definitely a lot of cinnamon. Through the first third of the cigar, there's a prominent woodsy character, almost like a burnt cedar, and that hint of toasted caramel remains on the palate, which I attribute to the Cameroon binder. Near the end of the first third, the amount of black pepper really ramps up, especially on the retrohale. So if you appreciate your nose hairs, you may wanna skip retrohaling this cigar.
Once into the second third of the cigar, the black pepper really intensifies, but it's supported by a ton of these darker espresso notes, as well as that slight vanilla-like creaminess in the background. It's almost like vanilla latte or an affogato in that balance of dark and creamy flavors. And as the body of the cigar gets a little wider, being a tapered Perfecto, those darker espresso notes just continue to build and evolve. So far the construction is excellent, too. You can tell that RoMa Craft uses a lot of nice, higher priming tobacco — just very high-quality tobacco overall.
Moving into the last third of the cigar, the strength definitely ramps up. Overall, I think seasoned smokers will likely find the CroMagnon Mode 5 to be in the medium to medium-full range, but for those just beginning their cigar journey, who may not be as experienced, I would recommend having a full meal or at least something on your stomach. Aside from the overall strength, the black pepper continues to intensify, with the sweet vanilla-like creaminess fading slightly. The earthier, woodsier charred cedar notes return in a big way, becoming the focal point on the palate and supported by those darker espresso notes and just a hint of sweet cream.
Overall, I think the CroMagnon Mode 5 is an exceptional cigar, and an excellent foray into the RoMa Craft lineup. It would be the perfect after-meal smoke for the average smoker. Likewise, if you enjoy a strong coffee or bourbon as a nighttime digestif, this would be a perfect pairing to your evening routine. And while this 5" x 50 is my preferred vitola for this cigar, RoMa Craft does offer this blend in a number of other shapes and sizes, so if you find one that suits your tastes, go for it. Lastly, given their overall construction and complexity, the CroMagnon offers exceptional value, with the Mode 5 coming in under $9 per cigar at the time of this writing. Combined with our quantity discounts on boxes and bundles, it's a great cigar to cellar and share with friends. Thanks again for watching, and we'll see you next time for another Smoke Rings cigar review.
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