The Neanderthal SGP which stands for Shallow Gene Pool was one of the cigars we featured on this weeks episode of The Cigar Authority. It was part of the care package and has become customary we offer a post show full review of the cigar.
Cigar: Neanderthal
Wrapper: San Andreas (Mexico)
Binder: Broadleaf (US Connecticut)
Filler: U.S. Pennsylvania Double Ligero, Nicaraguan (Conega, Jalapa, Pueblo Nuevo, Esteli), Dominican Republic (Olor)
Length: 4.5
Ring Guage: 52
Size: SGP
The Look: Packaged in 15 count boxes, one thing that stands out about the cigar once you get past the Texas Longhorns Burnt Orange band, is the flat cap which takes it to the next level. The flawlessly rolled cigar is seamless is heavy in the hand with a gritty feel from the toothy wrapper. The cigar is well packed with no soft spots.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Neanderthal SGP has a sweetness to it with notes of caramel and popcorn. Yes, the cold draw tastes like a Cracker Jack. The foot of the cigar reminds me of velvet, though I am not sure hot to describe that as a flavor. There is an abundance of pepper that caused me to sneeze.
Once the cigar is lit there is a meatiness to the cigar like a slightly charred steak from the barbecue. The note changes over to dark coffee and I wish I had some Twin Engines coffee to pair up with this. Through the nose there is black pepper as well, so retrohale with caution.
Moving into the second third of the cigar the dark coffee notes remain with some meatiness to the cigar as well. There is earth and a dark, heavy wood note that i equate to oak in the mix as well.
The last third of the SGP continues down the road of the previous two-thirds though the strength of the cigar tones down a few notches making the finish almost medium in strength. As a result of the toned down strength the flavors turn it up with the coffee coming across as the perfect dark coffee at the end of a meal with elements of earth and oak especially on the long finish.
The Finish: Despite the cigar using 8 different tobaccos, the one that stands out the most is the Pennsylvania Broadleaf, perhaps because I have worked on it in the past when blending my cigar; KILO. But I digress, the Neanderthal raises the bar in terms of cigars from RoMaCraft and many fans of the brand will tell you this is their favorite cigar from the company.
Score: 93
Price: $10.19 / $134.99
Neanderthal SGP
Neanderthal SGP Foot
Neanderthal SGP Burn
