Introduction:
RoMa Craft Tobac is a very sly little cigar manufacturer that has very quickly been 'crafting' themselves a niche in the industry. Cigar nerds, myself included, are always on the never ending quest to unearth the next gem in the industry, and when the CroMagnon and Aquataine lines hit the shelves we knew that another one of those gems had been discovered. The "RoMa" in the company's name stands for Michael Rosales and Skip Martin. The "Craft" in the name is meant to be representative of the fact that Michael and Skip aim to keep the tradition of true craftsmanship intact, imperfections included. The company embraces the human element of hand-crafted products; their cigars aren't perfectly uniform and might have slight deviations in size here and there. They're made to carry a personal touch, not that of a machine. Creative works need to have quirks and imperfections; it's what gives the creation its character and keeps it from becoming generic. Michael Rosales and Skip Martin are two men who understand this concept.
RoMa Craft Tobac has had several interesting releases this year, including the CroMagnon Femur. Controversial for its size - measuring in at 10 x 133, the CroMagnon Femur generated quite a bit of buzz in the industry. Some quickly dismissed it as ridiculous - and to an extent it is - but it actually yielded some interesting knowledge regarding the combustion of tobacco in such large quantities. It becomes an incredible challenge to make the draw functional and maintain an even burn, and keeping the profile from becoming bitter when working with so much tobacco is another obstacle altogether. One thing that should have become apparent by now is that the gentlemen at RoMa Craft Tobac aren't content with just the status quo; they're interested in putting out products that spark the enthusiasm of smokers and expand the horizons of the tobacco industry as a whole. They've achieved this with the CroMagnon, Aquataine, and Intemperance lines, and as such they've opted to release a cigar that is a conglomerate of the three: The La Campana de Panama Soberana.
Specifications:
Cigar: RoMa Craft Tobac La Campana de Panama Soberana
Size: 5 x 60 tapering to a 46
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut and Brazilian Ariparaca
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan and Cameroon
Appearance and Pre-light Aroma:
With its highly unorthodox shape, and what might be described as two racing stripes made up of Brazilian Ariparaca near the foot, the La Campana de Panama immediately piques the curiosity of anyone who lays their eyes upon it. The cigar is shaped somewhat like an elongated cone. Rough around the edges, glistening with oil, and lined with some fairly prominent veins; the La Campana de Panama is a consistent milk chocolate brown throughout.
Sniffing the gargantuan foot yields a plethora of different notes. A refreshing cool mint is present, and tightly congealed with an earthy soil note. A sweetness encompassed by subtle milk chocolate and raisin notes is next to present itself to the senses with. Notes of various types of woods act as the great equalizer, filling in the blanks of the profile.
First Third:
Lighting the La Campana de Panama is easy enough, all the tobaccos burn well, but a bit of finesse is required due to the closed foot and sheer size of the foot. The first wall of flavor tastes remarkably like roasted marsh mellows. Notes of roasted nuts and coffee quickly emerge in the forefront, with a caramel and apple sweetness filling the periphery. The finish is notably smooth, being fairly clean with only a woodiness resting on the tongue. Absolutely nothing in the way of spice as of right now. Having smoked similar shapes, an elevation of intensity is expected further in, but as of right now the La Campana de Panama is mainly interested in engaging in a bit of foreplay. The draw feels like what I imagine hyperventilating in a wind tunnel is like; it's wide open and feels like you're mostly sucking air. Fortunately however, the La Campana de Panama does actually deliver a titanic mouthful of smoke.
Second Third:
The prophecy has been foretold; drawing into what would be considered the second third has indeed seen an increase in intensity. Strength, body, and flavor are beginning to rise. Things are still a bit mellow, with only a bit of green mint being teased as a new characteristic. Particularly through the nose, the mint notes are the closest things found even remotely akin to anything spicy or peppery thus far in the RoMa Craft La Campana de Panama. Pronounced notes of dry oak wood and a bit of earthy soil coat most of the palate, with a bit of what might be described as a vague molasses. Previously found notes of roasted coffee grounds have become a bit bolder, but aren't as sharp on the palate. While the profile entertains with a balanced complexity, there is a constant act of evolution in the flavors that has yet to really come to fruition. One gets the impression that the La Campana de Panama is still in the phase of seduction, not quite ready to divulge its full potential. Whether it intends to expose the intimacies of its profile remains to be seen.
Final Third:
The RoMa Craft La Campana de Panama begins to pay homage to its kin, flashbacks of the CroMagnon and the Aquataine ensue in the mind. Unsurprisingly the profile is at its boldest, with the smoke sitting on the razors edge of creamy and dry. Roasted espresso, earthy soil, and oak wood are still making it a point to be known, with a bit of cool green mint in the fringe of the profile. While just as smooth as ever in regards to both body and flavor, the La Campana de Panama is packing some serious heat in the strength department. Oddly enough, the roasted marsh mellow flavor has made another appearance in the final inch. Where this delicious treat of flavor is coming from may very well be one of the secrets of universe, but either way, it's a fitting climax for the playful teasing of the La Campana de Panama.
Burn and Construction:
The RoMa Craft Tobac La Campana de Panama is certainly more concerned with function rather than form; it's exciting visually, but one wouldn't exactly call it pretty. It goes without saying that an immense amount of skill is required for a roll of this caliber. The gentlemen at RoMa Craft Tobac clearly have found themselves a couple masters to put these together. The construction is rock solid, the perfect mixture of rigidity and the slightest amount of give.
I was very curious how the La Campana de Panama would burn. Odd shapes can often burn in a peculiar fashion, but that isn't the case with this cigar. Aside from the initial finesse required to get the closed foot lit the burn is phenomenal. The draw tightens in perfect synchronicity with the narrowing of the shape. It never gets too tight, and always yields a mountain of smoke.
Overall:
From being a unique vitola, to the way in which in which it burns, all the way down to the way in which it slyly increases it's intensity; the La Campana de Panama is a striking cigar. A seductive mistress, gently teasing voluptuous and exotic nuances sure to keep you craving the next puff. Positively invigorating.
Stars:
4 out of 5
For more reviews like this visit www.thecigarkingblog.com!
RoMa Craft Tobac is a very sly little cigar manufacturer that has very quickly been 'crafting' themselves a niche in the industry. Cigar nerds, myself included, are always on the never ending quest to unearth the next gem in the industry, and when the CroMagnon and Aquataine lines hit the shelves we knew that another one of those gems had been discovered. The "RoMa" in the company's name stands for Michael Rosales and Skip Martin. The "Craft" in the name is meant to be representative of the fact that Michael and Skip aim to keep the tradition of true craftsmanship intact, imperfections included. The company embraces the human element of hand-crafted products; their cigars aren't perfectly uniform and might have slight deviations in size here and there. They're made to carry a personal touch, not that of a machine. Creative works need to have quirks and imperfections; it's what gives the creation its character and keeps it from becoming generic. Michael Rosales and Skip Martin are two men who understand this concept.
RoMa Craft Tobac has had several interesting releases this year, including the CroMagnon Femur. Controversial for its size - measuring in at 10 x 133, the CroMagnon Femur generated quite a bit of buzz in the industry. Some quickly dismissed it as ridiculous - and to an extent it is - but it actually yielded some interesting knowledge regarding the combustion of tobacco in such large quantities. It becomes an incredible challenge to make the draw functional and maintain an even burn, and keeping the profile from becoming bitter when working with so much tobacco is another obstacle altogether. One thing that should have become apparent by now is that the gentlemen at RoMa Craft Tobac aren't content with just the status quo; they're interested in putting out products that spark the enthusiasm of smokers and expand the horizons of the tobacco industry as a whole. They've achieved this with the CroMagnon, Aquataine, and Intemperance lines, and as such they've opted to release a cigar that is a conglomerate of the three: The La Campana de Panama Soberana.
Specifications:
Cigar: RoMa Craft Tobac La Campana de Panama Soberana
Size: 5 x 60 tapering to a 46
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut and Brazilian Ariparaca
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan and Cameroon
Appearance and Pre-light Aroma:
With its highly unorthodox shape, and what might be described as two racing stripes made up of Brazilian Ariparaca near the foot, the La Campana de Panama immediately piques the curiosity of anyone who lays their eyes upon it. The cigar is shaped somewhat like an elongated cone. Rough around the edges, glistening with oil, and lined with some fairly prominent veins; the La Campana de Panama is a consistent milk chocolate brown throughout.
Sniffing the gargantuan foot yields a plethora of different notes. A refreshing cool mint is present, and tightly congealed with an earthy soil note. A sweetness encompassed by subtle milk chocolate and raisin notes is next to present itself to the senses with. Notes of various types of woods act as the great equalizer, filling in the blanks of the profile.
First Third:
Lighting the La Campana de Panama is easy enough, all the tobaccos burn well, but a bit of finesse is required due to the closed foot and sheer size of the foot. The first wall of flavor tastes remarkably like roasted marsh mellows. Notes of roasted nuts and coffee quickly emerge in the forefront, with a caramel and apple sweetness filling the periphery. The finish is notably smooth, being fairly clean with only a woodiness resting on the tongue. Absolutely nothing in the way of spice as of right now. Having smoked similar shapes, an elevation of intensity is expected further in, but as of right now the La Campana de Panama is mainly interested in engaging in a bit of foreplay. The draw feels like what I imagine hyperventilating in a wind tunnel is like; it's wide open and feels like you're mostly sucking air. Fortunately however, the La Campana de Panama does actually deliver a titanic mouthful of smoke.
Second Third:
The prophecy has been foretold; drawing into what would be considered the second third has indeed seen an increase in intensity. Strength, body, and flavor are beginning to rise. Things are still a bit mellow, with only a bit of green mint being teased as a new characteristic. Particularly through the nose, the mint notes are the closest things found even remotely akin to anything spicy or peppery thus far in the RoMa Craft La Campana de Panama. Pronounced notes of dry oak wood and a bit of earthy soil coat most of the palate, with a bit of what might be described as a vague molasses. Previously found notes of roasted coffee grounds have become a bit bolder, but aren't as sharp on the palate. While the profile entertains with a balanced complexity, there is a constant act of evolution in the flavors that has yet to really come to fruition. One gets the impression that the La Campana de Panama is still in the phase of seduction, not quite ready to divulge its full potential. Whether it intends to expose the intimacies of its profile remains to be seen.
Final Third:
The RoMa Craft La Campana de Panama begins to pay homage to its kin, flashbacks of the CroMagnon and the Aquataine ensue in the mind. Unsurprisingly the profile is at its boldest, with the smoke sitting on the razors edge of creamy and dry. Roasted espresso, earthy soil, and oak wood are still making it a point to be known, with a bit of cool green mint in the fringe of the profile. While just as smooth as ever in regards to both body and flavor, the La Campana de Panama is packing some serious heat in the strength department. Oddly enough, the roasted marsh mellow flavor has made another appearance in the final inch. Where this delicious treat of flavor is coming from may very well be one of the secrets of universe, but either way, it's a fitting climax for the playful teasing of the La Campana de Panama.
Burn and Construction:
The RoMa Craft Tobac La Campana de Panama is certainly more concerned with function rather than form; it's exciting visually, but one wouldn't exactly call it pretty. It goes without saying that an immense amount of skill is required for a roll of this caliber. The gentlemen at RoMa Craft Tobac clearly have found themselves a couple masters to put these together. The construction is rock solid, the perfect mixture of rigidity and the slightest amount of give.
I was very curious how the La Campana de Panama would burn. Odd shapes can often burn in a peculiar fashion, but that isn't the case with this cigar. Aside from the initial finesse required to get the closed foot lit the burn is phenomenal. The draw tightens in perfect synchronicity with the narrowing of the shape. It never gets too tight, and always yields a mountain of smoke.
Overall:
From being a unique vitola, to the way in which in which it burns, all the way down to the way in which it slyly increases it's intensity; the La Campana de Panama is a striking cigar. A seductive mistress, gently teasing voluptuous and exotic nuances sure to keep you craving the next puff. Positively invigorating.
Stars:
4 out of 5
For more reviews like this visit www.thecigarkingblog.com!
