Brand Heritage
RoMa Craft Tobac is a boutique, small-batch cigar manufacturer co-founded by Skip Martin and Michael Rosales, widely respected in the premium cigar community for their uncompromising approach to tobacco selection and blend development. The company operates with an intentionally limited distribution model, ensuring each release receives the attention and quality control that larger manufacturers often sacrifice for volume. RoMa Craft has built a devoted following among aficionados who prize complexity, consistency, and the kind of thoughtful craftsmanship that defines true boutique cigar making.
Blend & Construction
The Intemperance EC XVIII is a Nicaraguan puro line from RoMa Craft Tobac, meaning it draws its tobaccos entirely from Nicaragua — a country renowned for producing bold, richly layered leaves. The "AWS IV" designation references a specific blend expression within the broader Intemperance EC XVIII family. In keeping with the construction standards RoMa Craft maintains across this line, smokers can expect a well-applied wrapper with minimal veining, a firm and even bunch, and a cap that holds cleanly through the smoking experience. The Corona Grande vitola — measuring 6 1/2 inches by 44 ring gauge — is a classic, elegant format that allows the blend's complexity to develop gradually over a leisurely smoke.
Flavor Profile
The Intemperance EC XVIII line is generally characterized as medium to full in body, delivering a nuanced but assertive smoking experience. In keeping with the line's established profile, the AWS IV expression is expected to offer earthy, woody, and spiced notes in the early third, transitioning toward deeper, richer characteristics — think dark cocoa, leather, and a subtle peppery finish — as the cigar progresses. The Corona Grande format's longer length and modest ring gauge concentrate the smoke, keeping it cool and flavorful throughout. Complexity and balance are hallmarks of this line, rewarding patience and attentive smoking.
Recommended Pairings
Alcoholic Pairing: A wheated bourbon such as Maker's Mark 46 — its vanilla sweetness and soft oak character provide a natural complement to the earthy spice and deeper tobacco notes in this blend.
Non-Alcoholic Pairing: A double espresso or dark roast black coffee — the roasted bitterness mirrors the cigar's cocoa and leather undertones, creating a satisfying contrast that enhances both the drink and the smoke.
Best Enjoyed
The Intemperance EC XVIII AWS IV is best suited for intermediate to experienced cigar smokers who appreciate a structured, evolving smoke with real depth. Given its medium-full strength and the slower-burning nature of the Corona Grande vitola, expect a smoke time of approximately 60 to 75 minutes. This is an ideal cigar for a relaxed late afternoon or evening session — a back porch at dusk, a quiet lounge setting, or a contemplative moment after a satisfying meal. It rewards those who take their time and pay attention to how the flavor profile shifts from start to finish.
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