For a long time, RoMa Craft was a brand I respected more than I smoked. There's no great explanation for that, but it's the truth. I've always appreciated the simple, instantly recognizable packaging and the historical and anthropological themes across their lines, but outside of the Neanderthal HN, they never quite made it into my regular rotation. Which is a little ironic, considering the very first boutique cigar I ever smoked came from the Austin-based brand.

Before that, I was firmly set in my weekend routine. For years, I'd grab a handful of Drew Estate's Tabak Especial from my local shop, bouncing between the Dulce and Negra without much thought. At some point, I came across the usual toxic (and wildly incorrect) online chatter about flavored cigars not being "real" cigars. Buying into that nonsense just enough, I decided to do something I'd never done before and ask for a recommendation, hoping for a new experience.

I was handed a CroMagnon Cranium, and that cigar changed everything. That specific Connecticut Broadleaf-wrapped version has since gone the way of the mastodon (not this Mastodon - the other one), but it completely reshaped how I viewed cigars and kicked off the obsession I still carry today.

Even with that start, RoMa Craft remained something I revisited often, but never a true staple, until a brand event with their National Sales Manager, Jason Jackson, last year pulled me back in. This time, instead of casually circling back, I decided to really dive into the portfolio.

So I did what any rational cigar smoker would do: I bought one of everything we had at Smokingpipes. At the time, that meant 78 cigars across nine regular-production lines. Naturally, I went full nerd and turned it into a project — building out a scoring system to track each cigar across construction, flavor, and overall experience while smoking two to three a day over the course of a few months. It was a bold task, but it was the most cigar-related fun I have had in a long time.

Below are the five blends that stood out the most for me. If you've seen me at any point over the past five months, whether it was in the office, at a lounge, or walking my dog, there's a good chance I was smoking one of these. If you've ever been curious about RoMa Craft, these smokes are well worth your attention.

#5: Intemperance EC XVIII Charity

As someone who gravitates toward shorter smokes and thinner ring gauges, the Charity is right in my wheelhouse. It's an efficient, no-nonsense size that just works. Construction has been flawless for me. Across multiple examples, every one featured a sharp burn line, solid ash, and needed no touch-ups. It's the kind of cigar you can light and not think twice about.

The EC blend, in my opinion, is what a modern Connecticut should be. You get the familiar profile — cream, hay, nuttiness — layered with just enough spice to keep things interesting. What really separates it, especially in the thinner ring gauges, is the sweetness. There's a brown sugar sweetness carried through the dense smoke that I don't often find in other Connecticuts, and it adds a ton of depth to the experience.

This has become a go-to when I want something mild in the morning, especially with an iced coffee. It's got just enough nicotine to remind you it's there, without becoming overwhelming.

#4. Intemperance EC XVIII Reverence

Okay, this feels like cheating, but it's how the scores panned out. It's the same blend and ring gauge as the Charity, just stretched out to 5.75 inches instead of 4. More time, more enjoyment.

Unsurprisingly, the construction is just as dialed in. Consistent burn, sturdy ash, no babysitting required.

Flavor-wise, it tracks very closely to the Charity, but with a slight shift in balance. The spice takes a step back here, letting that signature sweetness come through a bit more prominently. It's smoother, a touch more relaxed, and benefits from the extra length.

If the Charity is the quick, go-to version of this blend, the Reverence is what I reach for when I've got a little more time to settle in and enjoy it.

#3. Intemperance BA XXI Avarice

I've probably smoked more of this cigar than any other RoMa Craft since going down this rabbit hole. My desk is littered with Intemperance bands at this point.

The first thing that stands out is the smoke production. It is thick, dense, and downright luxurious. I want to attribute the thickness of the smoke to the Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper (which caused the disappearance of this blend for a while before recently returning), but what do I know — I just smoke them.

This is a full-flavored, full-bodied cigar, no question. Rich notes of cocoa, espresso, and dark woods lead the way, with a heavy pepper on the retrohale that keeps things lively. Despite all that, the strength sits more in the medium range for me, which makes it surprisingly approachable for how much it delivers.

At under $10, the asking price is an incredible value. I'd suggest grabbing them before their next disappearance, or else, I will.

#2: Neanderthal SGP

SGP stands for Shallow Gene Pool — a not-so-subtle nod to the Neanderthal theme. One thing I've always appreciated about RoMa Craft is how much thought goes into their vitolas and naming. There's a historical thread running through the portfolio that adds a little extra depth if you're into that sort of thing. If you're reading this, I assume you probably are.

As for the cigar itself, it's a powerhouse. Where the Avarice brings full flavor and body, the SGP delivers all of that and a serious dose of nicotine. This is a strong cigar.

That said, it's not strength for the sake of strength. It's layered, nuanced, and incredibly flavorful. I consistently get rich notes of leather, mocha, earth, and black pepper, along with that deep, dark profile you expect from a Mexican-wrapped cigar. There's a lot going on here, and it keeps your attention the entire time.

It's kind of remarkable how much flavor this cigar packs in. This was the blend that originally hooked me on RoMa Craft, and after all this time, it still absolutely holds up.

#1: Intemperance Volstead 1920 Noble Experiment

This is it. The peak.

It was the first cigar I smoked when I started this whole project, and it ended up being number one. After working through a box (and then some), it hasn't moved.

The first note I wrote down was simple and a little odd: this tastes like fall. And I stand by that. I taste a mix of caramel corn, peanuts, and cinnamon layered with a creamy, leathery profile, all delivered through that dense, signature RoMa Craft smoke.

What really sets it apart is the balance. It carefully dances between full-on flavor bomb and subtle nuance without ever leaning too far in either direction. Every time I light one up, I catch something a little different.

This is the box-pressed, limited version of the George Remus, and while the standard release is excellent in its own right, the Noble Experiment is, for me, the pinnacle of what a cigar can be.

I'm completely hooked on it, and I really hope it never goes away.

Since going through this experiment, RoMa Craft has become a daily smoke for me. I've even dedicated an entire humidor in my office to their cigars (this one, if you're curious), and I plan on that being a staple for the foreseeable future.

Beyond the branding, which I've always appreciated, I've developed a real respect for the philosophy behind the company. Mike and Skip keep it simple: Tobacco, Talent, Time. The goal isn't to chase maximum profit — it's to prioritize quality over quantity and deliver cigars that are worth smoking at a price point that makes sense, all while working with retail partners who share that mindset.

We're extremely proud to be one of those partners at Smokingpipes.

If you've never really explored RoMa Craft, I hope this gives you a reason to. And if you're looking to dig a little deeper, I've included a few honorable mentions below that are absolutely worth the price of admission.

Honorable Mentions:

• Aquitaine Mastodon
• Maestranza Caballería Valencia
• CroMagnon PA Mode 5
• Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion 1794 Jefferson
• CroMagnon EMH Fomorian
• Baka Bantu - Baka serves as a yearly, limited production, and while currently out of stock, is worth buying upon its next release.