AshMap
Overview
The Intemperance BA XXI Robusto from RoMa Craft Tobac is a study in disciplined rebellion—a cigar that flouts the notion that complexity and refinement must command a premium price. Conceived by the irreverent Skip Martin and Michael Rosales, the Intemperance line launched around 2012–2013 as a thematic ode to vice and liberty, with the BA XXI moniker nodding to Article 21 of the Bill of Rights. The name alone signals an ethos: pleasure without apology, delivered at an everyday price point. Yet to dismiss this Robusto as merely a budget-friendly staple would be to miss its quiet brilliance. Hand-rolled at the RoMa Craft/Selected Tobacco factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, it employs an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in a Colorado shade—medium brown, lightly oily, and distinctly toothy to the touch. Beneath that lies a Nicaraguan binder and a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, aged before rolling to integrate their character. The result is a medium-strength cigar that unfolds with surprising grace over a 45- to 55-minute smoke. The first third greets the palate with cedar, toasted almonds, and a creamy vanilla sweetness, enlivened by a mild white pepper on the retrohale. The middle third deepens into dried fig and raisin, layered over cinnamon and nutmeg, while the creaminess yields to a more pronounced cocoa note. The final third converges on espresso, dark chocolate, and seasoned leather, with pepper tightening but never overwhelming the experience. The construction is impeccable—a hallmark of RoMa Craft—with a draw that is open without being loose, a burn line that self-corrects, and an ash that holds firm. This is a thinking smoker’s everyday cigar: coherent, layered, and executed with a precision that embarrasses many $20 sticks. Its only crime is its modest price, which tempts the uninitiated to underestimate it. The Intemperance BA XXI Robusto is a quiet icon of value—a cigar that proves that nuance and affordability need not be adversaries.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Dominican long-filler tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Robusto |
| Size | 5 x 50 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $8–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to blending; no extended post-rolling aging noted publicly |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening presents a pleasant combination of cedar, toasted almonds, and a creamy vanilla sweetness. There is a mild white pepper note on the retrohale that sets the stage for a nuanced smoke. The draw is immediately comfortable and the combustion releases a cool, clean smoke.
Second Third
Complexity increases in the middle third with the emergence of dried fruit — raisin and fig — layered over a baking spice backbone of cinnamon and nutmeg. The creaminess from the first third transitions into a more pronounced cocoa note, and earthiness begins to develop on the finish.
Final Third
The final third delivers a satisfying convergence of espresso, dark chocolate, and seasoned leather. The pepper from the retrohale strengthens slightly but never dominates. The finish is medium-long with lingering cocoa and cedar notes, and the smoke remains surprisingly cool and composed to the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently excellent — the draw is open but not loose, producing a firm, slightly firm ash that holds well past an inch. The burn line is even and self-correcting, requiring minimal touch-ups; a hallmark of RoMa Craft's quality control.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A lightly aged rum such as Flor de Caña 7 Year or a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 — the sweetness complements the cocoa and spice without overcoming the blend's subtlety.
Wine
A medium-bodied Grenache-based Côtes du Rhône or a Garnacha from Priorat — the red fruit and earthy terroir mirror the cigar's dried fruit and earth notes beautifully.
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian pour-over or a single-origin Ethiopian drip coffee; the fruit-forward coffee notes harmonize with the fig and raisin in the cigar's mid-section.
Who Should Smoke This?
The Intemperance BA XXI Robusto is for the aficionado who demands complexity without pretense. It suits the seasoned smoker seeking an everyday cigar that rewards attention with evolving layers of dried fruit, cocoa, and spice, yet remains approachable enough for a newcomer ready to graduate past one-dimensional blends. The 45- to 55-minute smoke time fits a relaxed afternoon or evening session—a companion for journaling, a thoughtful conversation, or a quiet moment of decompression. If you prize construction, balance, and a profile that tells a story from first draw to nub, this Robusto belongs in your rotation. It is equally at home in the humidor of a collector as it is in the jacket pocket of a smoker who refuses to pay a premium for pedigree.
Bottom Line
The Intemperance BA XXI Robusto is a masterclass in value—a meticulously blended, flawlessly constructed cigar that delivers a nuanced, medium-bodied profile for a fraction of the cost of its peers. If you have overlooked this line because of its price, you have been missing one of the most rewarding smokes in RoMa Craft’s portfolio.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Intemperance cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Intemperance BA XXI Robusto a strong cigar?
No. It is classified as medium in strength (3 out of 5 on RoMa Craft’s scale). The experience is balanced and nuanced rather than overpowering, making it suitable for both newer smokers and veterans who prefer complexity over brute force.
What does Intemperance BA XXI Robusto taste like?
The profile evolves across thirds: cedar, toasted almonds, and creamy vanilla with white pepper on the retrohale in the first third; dried fig and raisin with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cocoa in the second; and espresso, dark chocolate, and seasoned leather in the final third. The finish is medium-long with lingering cocoa and cedar.
How long does Intemperance BA XXI Robusto take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of 45 to 55 minutes, depending on your pace. The draw and combustion are consistent and cool, allowing for a leisurely experience without the cigar burning too hot or too fast.
What is the best pairing for Intemperance BA XXI Robusto?
A lightly aged rum like Flor de Caña 7 Year or a wheated bourbon such as Maker’s Mark 46 complements the cocoa and spice. For wine, a medium-bodied Grenache-based Côtes du Rhône or a Priorat Garnacha mirrors the dried fruit and earth. Non-alcoholically, a medium-roast Colombian or single-origin Ethiopian pour-over highlights the fig and raisin notes.
Is Intemperance BA XXI Robusto good for beginners?
Yes. Its medium strength, approachable first third (creamy vanilla and almonds), and impeccable construction make it an excellent step up from milder blends. It offers enough complexity to educate the palate without overwhelming it.
Where can I buy Intemperance BA XXI Robusto?
These cigars are widely available through online retailers such as Fox Cigar, Small Batch Cigar, and Neptune Cigar, as well as at many brick-and-mortar shops that carry RoMa Craft products. Due to occasional production runs, availability can vary; checking multiple sources is recommended.
What is the price of Intemperance BA XXI Robusto?
The retail price typically falls between $8 and $12 per cigar, placing it firmly in the everyday tier despite its premium construction and flavor complexity.
Is Intemperance BA XXI Robusto worth aging?
RoMa Craft ages the tobaccos before blending, and there is no publicly noted extended post-rolling aging. The blend is well-integrated upon release, though some aficionados report that six to twelve months of rest can further marry the flavors, particularly the spice and cocoa notes.
What wrapper does Intemperance BA XXI Robusto use?
The wrapper is an Ecuadorian Habano leaf in a Colorado shade—medium brown with a light oil sheen and a toothy texture. The Colorado color indicates a medium-brown leaf that imparts a balance of earthy, sweet, and slightly spicy notes.
Where is Intemperance BA XXI Robusto made?
It is hand-rolled at the RoMa Craft Tobac / Selected Tobacco factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, under the supervision of Skip Martin and Michael Rosales.