AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about halfway through the Intemperance EC XVIII, when the smoke turns from a conversation into a monologue. It stops asking for your attention and simply takes it, the way a well-aged bourbon or a late-career Leonard Cohen record does. This is the genius of RoMa Craft's Prohibition-era homage: it doesn't announce itself with pepper bombs or novelty. Instead, it builds a case slowly, with the quiet confidence of a blend that knows exactly what it is. The EC XVIII is the dark, sweet-tempered sibling to the BA XXI, and where that cigar is all earthy bravado, this one is a study in controlled indulgence. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is the star, but it's a generous one, letting the Nicaraguan core speak in turns rather than shouting over it. From the first cold draw — a dense paste of dark cocoa and dried fig with a faint, almost mineral barnyard note — you sense this is a cigar that rewards patience. The pre-light promises a sweet, earthy experience, and the opening volley delivers on that promise with a bold hit of dark chocolate and espresso that lands squarely on the mid-palate. The molasses sweetness, that signature of well-fermented Broadleaf, is immediate and profound, coating the tongue in a way that feels less like a flavor and more like a memory of winter baking. The retrohale is where the Estelí spice first shows its teeth — a moderate black pepper that clears the sinuses without punishing them. By the second third, the narrative deepens. The initial sweetness recedes just enough to let the roasted coffee bean and leather notes step forward, and a creamy cedar emerges that adds a textural counterpoint to the otherwise dense smoke. This is the section where the blend's architecture becomes apparent: the Jalapa tobacco provides a floral, slightly sweet undertow that keeps the heavier Estelí notes from becoming monolithic. The pepper on the finish builds, but it's a slow burn, a background hum that grows into a steady rhythm. The final third is a masterclass in escalation. The body swells to full, but the blend never turns acrid or harsh — a testament to the aging process that has smoothed the edges of both the wrapper and the filler. Dark espresso and charred oak dominate, with the black pepper now a constant companion, and the cocoa sweetness returns on the retrohale, but this time it's darker, more like baker's chocolate than milk. The finish is long and contemplative, leaving a faint trace of dark dried fruit — raisin or prune — that lingers well after the ash is tapped. The construction is flawless: a draw with just the right resistance, a razor-sharp burn line, and an ash that holds firm for over an inch. This is a cigar that respects your time and your palate, and it asks only that you return the favor.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro — USA — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-leaf fillers from multiple regions including Jalapa and Estelí, with aged tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — produced at the TAVICUSA factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Multiple vitolas available; core line includes Robusto, Toro, and Churchill formats |
| Size | 5.5 x 52 (Robusto standard offering) |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos are aged prior to rolling; Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper undergoes extended fermentation contributing to sweetn |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw offers dark cocoa, dried fig, and a whisper of barnyard earthiness. Upon lighting, the opening delivers bold dark chocolate, espresso, and a distinct sweet molasses note characteristic of well-fermented Connecticut Broadleaf. Black pepper emerges at the retrohale with moderate intensity.
Second Third
The midpoint transitions into deeper, more layered territory — roasted coffee beans, leather, and a creamy cedar note begin to assert themselves. The sweetness from the wrapper integrates beautifully with the Nicaraguan core, producing a balanced interplay of earth and confection. Spice from the Estelí tobaccos builds progressively on the finish.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with dark espresso, charred oak, black pepper, and a lingering cocoa sweetness on the retrohale. The body becomes noticeably fuller without turning harsh, a testament to careful blending. The finish is long, complex, and satisfying with a faint note of dark dried fruit.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — the draw is consistently ideal, offering just the right resistance, and the burn is razor-sharp with a firm, light grey ash that holds for an inch or more. RoMa Craft's quality control at TAVICUSA is evident throughout.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged bourbon with high rye content — Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Four Roses Single Barrel; alternatively, a peated Scotch such as Laphroaig 10 to complement the earthiness
Wine
A bold Zinfandel from Lodi or a Petite Sirah — dark fruit and spice characteristics mirror the cigar's profile beautifully
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or cold brew with a touch of dark chocolate — the bitter sweetness echoes the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of Liga Privada No. 9s and Padron 1926s, but who finds himself reaching for the same five cigars out of habit rather than excitement. He's the guy who has been smoking for over a decade, who can identify the region of a filler blend blindfolded, but who has grown weary of the arms race for strength and rarity. He's sitting on his back porch on a cool October evening, the grill still warm from dinner, a glass of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof sweating on the armrest. He wants something that will make him slow down, that will force him to pay attention for a full hour, not because it's difficult, but because it's rewarding. He wants a cigar that feels like a secret — not because it's hard to find, but because it feels like it was made just for him. The EC XVIII will give him that. It will remind him why he fell in love with Broadleaf in the first place, and it will earn a permanent spot in his regular rotation, not as a special occasion smoke, but as the go-to for a Tuesday night that deserves better.
Bottom Line
The Intemperance EC XVIII is a masterclass in Broadleaf blending, delivering a depth and sweetness that belies its mid-range price point. It is an essential addition to any serious rotation, a cigar that proves complexity doesn't require obscurity. Buy a box; you will smoke them all.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Full (4/5) on our strength scale. Physically, this means the nicotine delivery is substantial and will be noticeable from the second third onward, producing a mild to moderate buzz for most experienced smokers. It is not a nicotine monster, but it is not a morning smoke; it commands respect and a full stomach.
What does Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression of dark, sweet, and earthy notes. It opens with dark chocolate, espresso, and molasses, transitions into roasted coffee beans, leather, and creamy cedar in the middle, and finishes with intensified dark espresso, charred oak, black pepper, and a lingering cocoa sweetness with a faint dark dried fruit note on the finish.
How long does Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft take to smoke?
For the standard Robusto vitola (5.5 x 52), you should allocate 60 to 75 minutes. The Toro and Churchill formats will extend that time to 90 minutes or more, as the larger ring gauges and longer lengths provide a cooler, slower burn.
What is the best pairing for Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft?
An aged, high-rye bourbon like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is the ideal companion. The bourbon's spicy rye notes cut through the cigar's dense earthiness, while its inherent caramel and vanilla sweetness mirrors and amplifies the molasses and cocoa notes from the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, creating a harmonious interplay of sweet and spice.
Is Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. With a Full strength rating and a price point of $12–$16, it is best suited for smokers with developed palates and nicotine tolerance. A novice would likely find the strength overwhelming and might miss the subtle transitions that make this blend exceptional. We recommend starting with milder, more affordable offerings before graduating to this.
Where can I buy Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft?
This is a premium, production-line cigar, so it is widely available at reputable brick-and-mortar tobacconists that stock RoMa Craft products. It is also frequently found in stock at major online retailers like Atlantic Cigar, Famous Smoke Shop, and Neptune Cigar. Given its consistent popularity, it is rarely allocated, but checking availability at a trusted local shop is always the best first step.
What is the price of Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft?
The Intemperance EC XVIII falls in the $12 to $16 per cigar range, depending on the specific vitola and your local market taxes. This pricing positions it firmly in the premium tier, but it offers value that outperforms many cigars in the $20+ bracket.
Is Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling and the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper undergoes extended fermentation, this cigar will benefit from additional humidor time. One to two years of rest will further integrate the flavors, softening the black pepper and allowing the sweeter, creamier notes to become more prominent. However, it is also highly enjoyable fresh, so you don't need to wait to smoke one.
What wrapper does Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper grown in the USA. This wrapper is known for its dark, oily appearance and toothy texture, and it is the primary source of the cigar's signature deep chocolate, molasses sweetness, and earthy undertones. The extended fermentation process it undergoes is crucial to taming its natural intensity and unlocking its sweet character.
Where is Intemperance EC XVIII by RoMa Craft made?
It is hand-rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, at the TAVICUSA factory. This is RoMa Craft's primary production facility, and it is known for its rigorous quality control, which is evident in the cigar's exemplary draw, razor-sharp burn, and consistent construction across all vitolas.