If you follow social media one of the companies that consistently generate a tremendous buzz about a new cigar is RoMaCraft. Their fans affectionately referred to as Weasels are passionate about a brand in an industry that has seen brand loyalty wane over the years. Since the Baka was announced back in March fans have eagerly awaited the release of the cigar that is currently only available in one size (Bantu 4 x 52) with a second size due in the coming weeks.
The name Baka comes from a small group of people living in Cameroon and surrounding countries and were once called Pygmies which is fitting since the cigar features a wrapper from the African country.
Cigar Review: Baka
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Length: 4″
Size: 52
Size: Bantu (Short Robusto)
The Look: Packaged in 24 count wooden boxes in the same style as other RoMaCraft lines the box features the silhouette of Africa. Like most Cameroon wrappers, the cigar won’t win any beauty pageant, however the red and white band stands out and calls your attention to them. There is a brindle effect to the cigar with some veins visible but the Baku Bantu is flawlessly rolled. In the hand the cigar is firm with a nice weight for its size and a well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Baka serves up notes of butter cookies which brings me back to when my grandmother would bake them when we visited her as a child. I always find it amazing when a taste on tobacco brings me back to a specific time and place. The aroma off the foot of the cigar is a generic sweetness with a subtle hint of white pepper. Once the cigar is lit there is a subtle brown sugar.
As we enjoy the first half hints of tea and earth develop on the palate but once you retrohale this cigar things change dramatically. Hints of butter cookies emerge once again with some subtle maple and caramel sweetness. Around the half way point the maple sweetness makes it way to the palate albeit in the background.
As we start the second half of the cigar, fig begins to develop and quickly intensifies becoming the primary note. In the background is lingering notes of brown sugar and earth while the retrohale offers up some continued sweetness in the form of maple along with some nutmeg notes that extend on the relatively short finish.
The Finish: Judging by the feedback on Social Media, the Baku is a hit amongst RoMaCraft Weasels. I’ve smoked two now and I am undecided. It’s not RoMaCraft to me as there is something missing in my mind from the cigar. Maybe it’s the strength I’ve grown accustomed to in the brand as this stick didn’t punch me in the face as I had expected it to. If you take what I expected out of the equation I love the flavor on the cigar especially with the retrohale. Yes, this is a contradiction and at the end of the day I do like the cigar but it’s not the cigar I would reach for when the mood for RoMaCraft strikes me. What cigar would I reach for? Neanderthal, especially since the Baka is limited with retailers only get 2-10 boxes. As for the second size due soon, we get to do the limited thing all over again and then we have to wait until next year to see more.
Score: 91
Price: $9.99 / $214.99
Baka Bantu
Baka Bantu Foot
