Brand Heritage
RoMa Craft Tobac is a boutique cigar manufacturer founded by Skip Martin and Michael Rosales, widely respected in the premium cigar industry for their hands-on, detail-obsessed approach to blending. The brand has built a loyal following among serious enthusiasts who appreciate small-batch production, consistent quality, and cigars that challenge the palate. RoMa Craft's Intemperance line pays homage to the Temperance Movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, with each release named after a virtue or moral concept from that era — lending the brand a distinctive identity that is as thoughtful as the tobacco inside.
Blend & Construction
The Intemperance EC XVIII Fidelity is a Nicaraguan puro in a Toro vitola, measuring 6 inches in length with a 54 ring gauge — a size well-suited to delivering a balanced draw with ample smoke volume. The "EC XVIII" designation references early 18th-century colonial themes central to the line's branding. In keeping with RoMa Craft's established profile for the Intemperance EC XVIII series, the blend is built around Nicaraguan tobaccos throughout the wrapper, binder, and filler, though specific leaf priming and stalk position details are not confirmed here. What is reliably noted across the line is a commitment to firm, even construction with clean caps and a well-rolled finish that reflects quality craftsmanship from start to finish.
Flavor Profile
The Intemperance EC XVIII Fidelity presents as a medium to full-bodied smoke, delivering the kind of complexity that RoMa Craft enthusiasts have come to expect. In keeping with the line's overall character, expect an earthy foundation layered with notes of leather, dark spice, and cedar, with a natural sweetness that emerges as the cigar settles into its second third. The retrohale tends to reveal pepper and dried herb nuances. The Toro format allows the blend to open gradually, with transitions in flavor becoming more defined as the smoke progresses toward the final third, where depth and richness typically intensify. Combustion and smoke production are generally excellent across this line.
Recommended Pairings
Alcoholic: A wheated bourbon such as Maker's Mark 46 — its vanilla and toasted oak character complements the earthy spice of the Fidelity without overwhelming the cigar's more nuanced notes.
Non-Alcoholic: A dark roast black coffee or a double espresso — the roasted bitterness echoes the cigar's natural earthiness while providing a pleasant contrast to any underlying sweetness in the blend.
Best Enjoyed
The Intemperance EC XVIII Fidelity is best suited to intermediate and experienced cigar smokers who appreciate a structured, evolving smoke with genuine complexity. It performs particularly well during an unhurried evening session — a relaxed weekend afternoon or a post-dinner occasion where time allows the full 75 to 90 minutes this Toro typically requires. This is not an everyday rush smoke; it rewards attention and patience, making it an ideal choice for a dedicated smoking session paired with good company or quiet reflection.
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