I walked into work this morning, grabbed one of my go to morning cigars and sat down at my computer trying to figure out what cigar to review today. Then to my surprise, I’ve never reviewed the cigar I was about to light up. Problem solved, my morning cigar that I have smoked boxes of would be the cigar featured today. Intemperance comes to us from RoMaCraft Tobac and is made in Esteli, Nicaragua.
The branding of Intemperance EC XVIII comes from a political poster produced by A.D. Fillmore in 1815 and features the logo inspired by a famous artifact of the movement. The movement achieved their goal when the 18th Amendment established a prohibition on the consumption of ‘intoxicating liquors.” According to RoMa Craft, “In the last sixty years, the anti-smoking movement has grown in influence and power much in the same way the temperance movement before it grew. We believe that it is well past time to initiate our own modern intemperance movement.”
Cigar Review: Intemperance EC XVIII
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Length: 4.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Virtue (Petit Robusto)
The Look: The Intemperance EC XVIII comes packaged in 20 count cabinet style boxes. Today, we take a look at the Petit Robusto which is called Virtue and measures 4.5 x 52. The cigar features a Connecticut shade grown wrapper from Ecuador and is rolled short creating a slightly exposed foot. In addition to thin veins there is an abundance of oils present on this well rolled stick that has no soft spots and a hefty weight to it. The band denotes Intemperance in brown on an ivory background.
The Notes: Once the Intemperance EC is cut, the notes on the cold draw are earthy with a hint of wheat and cedar. The aroma of the cigar is Cubanesque with a manure like nose and a compliment of the earthy components experienced on the cold draw. Once the cigar is lit the first note is brown sugar. Moving along, the Intemperance offers up notes of cedar and honey that is especially noticeable on the retrohale and finish.
The second third sees the notes of brown sugar fade away before the cigar reaches the half way point. The primary notes are cedar, hay and a touch of leather which lingers on the finish. The retrohale serves up just a hint of pepper, keeping you on your toes as the cigar remains smooth and balanced.
The last third continues with a honey sweetness along with nuances of cedar, earthy, wheat and a bit of leather. The retrohale offers a slight pepper with touches of vanilla. The finish is relatively short which is what I look for in a morning cigar.
The Finish: If you know me, you find it hard to believe that some of my go to sticks are Connecticut but I have three. This is one of them. It’s incredibly smooth and balanced with a great profile and not a lot of strength. It’s box worthy without a doubt and well deserving of a spot in your humidor.
Score: 94
Price: $6.99 / $139.99
Intemperance EC XVII Virtue
Intemperance EC XVII Virtue Foot
Intemperance EC XVII Virtue Burn
