Brand: RomaCraft Aquitaine series
Name: Mode 5
Size: 5 x 50
Shape: Short Perfecto
First impression: solid built stick with just a touch of give on the squeeze. Nice deep brown color with the tiniest of veins. The aroma is a dry grass or hay and not much else. I get the same off the foot but with just a hint, and I mean just a teensy hint of something that might be cedar.
The first couple puffs start with a medium draw. Flavors are mild consisting of something that I can't quit place. It's a little tangy but not really, it carries a mild sweetness that is more a feeling than a flavor. It leaves me wanting more. There's a woodsy undertone but not cedar. There's a long finish. Just when you think it's done it hits you with a quick blast then fades away. The retro hale carries much the same. Usually on a retro I get pepper but this is giving me another level of that woodsy aroma that for once (for me) actually enhances the cigar. I've even picked up a touch of sweetness on a retro hale.
The burn is a little off but not bad at all and I just noticed it has almost fully corrected itself within the first third. Smoke production is average and I really have nothing critical to say about this stick. It's burning well through the first third and I'm really enjoying this cigar.
The tang and that unidentifiable flavor is still present and I'm starting to lean towards a nutty flavor. It has that characteristic of the after effect of eating a handful of almonds but not that flavor. The flavor is deeper and more interesting. The pepper has come into play a bit more but is not overpowering.
The ash has been a dirty grey and has held well through the first third but I have decided to knock it off based on my experience with the CroMagnon vitola of the same name. As expected a light tap sent it into the abyss that is my Stinky Ashtray.
The second third keeps chugging along and introduced a floral note at the back of my throat on the retro hale. The long finish is definably a nutty flavor now. The mystery seems to be unfolding albeit slowly. If there was such a thing as a peppery nut that came packaged in a mildly sweet wooden box it would explain everything.
At the half there's a decrease in pepper but only minimal. The retro still carries a touch of floral, is still not harsh and still accentuates the smoking experience with this stick. I am getting a bit more heat with this stick at this point than I did the CroMagnon and that may be due to the easier draw on this cigar. Might also be that this has been so tasty I have been puffing more frequently too.
The second thirds ends with little drama and allows the final to just keep flowing. The uncovering of mystery was short and sweet and this cigar seems to have decided to stay consistent through most of the smoking. I still can't place that mystery flavor and it has started to subside and give way to heat and pepper closer to the end which for me was not far into the final third.
I will say that I did not feel the nicotine creeping up on me but a few minutes after finishing and moving indoors to post this review the kick has arrived and I got nowhere near rubbing this as you can see below.
I paired this with seltzer water and feel that anything paired with this cigar needs to be on the lighter side of beverages.
Overall this was an enjoyable cigar. It gave good flavors and smoked very well. I would say it was balanced and not overbearing in any of those flavors. Personally I enjoy the CroMagnon a little more but I do look forward to smoking another Aquitaine in another vitola to see how that changes this blend. Id say if you are curious and willing to smoke a good cigar try one or two.
Name: Mode 5
Size: 5 x 50
Shape: Short Perfecto
First impression: solid built stick with just a touch of give on the squeeze. Nice deep brown color with the tiniest of veins. The aroma is a dry grass or hay and not much else. I get the same off the foot but with just a hint, and I mean just a teensy hint of something that might be cedar.
The first couple puffs start with a medium draw. Flavors are mild consisting of something that I can't quit place. It's a little tangy but not really, it carries a mild sweetness that is more a feeling than a flavor. It leaves me wanting more. There's a woodsy undertone but not cedar. There's a long finish. Just when you think it's done it hits you with a quick blast then fades away. The retro hale carries much the same. Usually on a retro I get pepper but this is giving me another level of that woodsy aroma that for once (for me) actually enhances the cigar. I've even picked up a touch of sweetness on a retro hale.
The burn is a little off but not bad at all and I just noticed it has almost fully corrected itself within the first third. Smoke production is average and I really have nothing critical to say about this stick. It's burning well through the first third and I'm really enjoying this cigar.
The tang and that unidentifiable flavor is still present and I'm starting to lean towards a nutty flavor. It has that characteristic of the after effect of eating a handful of almonds but not that flavor. The flavor is deeper and more interesting. The pepper has come into play a bit more but is not overpowering.
The ash has been a dirty grey and has held well through the first third but I have decided to knock it off based on my experience with the CroMagnon vitola of the same name. As expected a light tap sent it into the abyss that is my Stinky Ashtray.
The second third keeps chugging along and introduced a floral note at the back of my throat on the retro hale. The long finish is definably a nutty flavor now. The mystery seems to be unfolding albeit slowly. If there was such a thing as a peppery nut that came packaged in a mildly sweet wooden box it would explain everything.
At the half there's a decrease in pepper but only minimal. The retro still carries a touch of floral, is still not harsh and still accentuates the smoking experience with this stick. I am getting a bit more heat with this stick at this point than I did the CroMagnon and that may be due to the easier draw on this cigar. Might also be that this has been so tasty I have been puffing more frequently too.
The second thirds ends with little drama and allows the final to just keep flowing. The uncovering of mystery was short and sweet and this cigar seems to have decided to stay consistent through most of the smoking. I still can't place that mystery flavor and it has started to subside and give way to heat and pepper closer to the end which for me was not far into the final third.
I will say that I did not feel the nicotine creeping up on me but a few minutes after finishing and moving indoors to post this review the kick has arrived and I got nowhere near rubbing this as you can see below.
I paired this with seltzer water and feel that anything paired with this cigar needs to be on the lighter side of beverages.
Overall this was an enjoyable cigar. It gave good flavors and smoked very well. I would say it was balanced and not overbearing in any of those flavors. Personally I enjoy the CroMagnon a little more but I do look forward to smoking another Aquitaine in another vitola to see how that changes this blend. Id say if you are curious and willing to smoke a good cigar try one or two.
