Mention the word Candela and most people cringe at the thought of smoking a cigar with a green wrapper. It’s long been associated with having a vegetal component, but in recent years that has begun to change. It’s made a bit of a comeback especially as St. Patrick’s Day comes closer. Companies like Illusione, La Flor Dominicana and RoMaCraft have made great candela’s. So much so, they now get a limited release throughout the year for one company and today we review the 2017 release of the Fomorian from RoMaCraft.
Cigar Review: RoMaCraft CroMagnon Fomorian
Wrapper: Candela
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 56
Vitola: Robusto Extra (EMH)
Strength: Medium
The Look: The Fomorian comes packaged in 24 count cabinet style boxes. The candela wrapper that adorns the cigar is flawless. I’m impressed with the amount of oils on this cigar, and how thin the veins are. It’s really a testament to the fact that a Candela cigar can be good looking. The band that adorns the cigar is black and white and is the same that is featured on the CroMagnon line. It’s perfectly rolled with a nice weight to it and a well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw serves up some cedar and earth, and the two are fairly balanced. On the foot of the cigar there is a strong cedar component with a touch of sunflower seeds. After we take the time to properly toast the foot of the cigar the first profile is woodsy with a subtle pepper.
As we smoke our way into the first third of the candela wrapped Fomarian the wood notes continue to be dominant, but there is also a subtle licorice that lingers in the background. The vegetal component that is synonymous with candela is there, but it’s so very faint it was almost not worth mentioning. The retrohaleof the cigar is earthy and spicy.
In the second third of the cigar notes of cedar stay with a continued licorice that intensifies as the cigar progresses becoming the dominant profile around the half-way point. There is some black pepper that shows up at this point of the cigar as well creating a nice spicy feel to the cigar that also has that very subtle vegetal note we mentioned in first third. It’s more noticeable on the retrohale that also has a touch of vanilla.
The last third of the Fomorian sees the cigar tone down and the flavors become more subtle. There is a sweetness that develops from the background, while the front end still sees a little spice. The two work together to bring this cigar home. The notes are caramel, vanilla, licorice and cedar to close things out.
The Finish: RoMaCraft has become one of the hottest boutique cigars in the industry, and on Saturday we will be joined live in studio by brand owners Skip Martin & Mike Rosales on The Cigar Authority. As far as the Fomarian, this cigar has a cult following and it is easy to see why once you smoke. The candela provides an interesting change of pace, and this could very well be the best candela on the market. There’s a reason it sells out rather fast, and once you smoke one you will understand while.
Score: 91
Price: $7.99 / $169.99
RoMaCraft Cromagnon Fomorian
RoMaCraft Cromagnon Fomorian Foot
