📌 Brand: RoMa Craft Tobac
📌 Line: Intemperance EC XVIII
📌 Size: Goodness (5" × 56 - Robusto)
📌 Weight: 15.8 g
📌 Age: 4 years
📌 Origin: Nicaragua
Tasting Notes
Creamy Cedar – Soft, aromatic woodiness with a smooth and slightly sweet character
Toasted Almonds – Gentle roasted nuttiness bringing warmth and balance
White Pepper – Delicate spice that adds character without becoming aggressive
Sweet Hay – Light, natural tobacco sweetness with subtle grassy undertones
First Impressions
The RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII Goodness is an interesting little cigar, combining a relatively short length with a generous ring gauge. I have always found this kind of format appealing when I want something substantial without committing to a particularly long smoking session. The Goodness looks compact and well-proportioned, with a Connecticut-style wrapper giving it a rather elegant appearance.
The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper has a pleasant golden-brown colour, with a smooth surface and a few delicate veins. The overall presentation is simple but attractive, very much in keeping with RoMa Craft's approach to producing cigars that focus more on the tobacco than elaborate packaging.
Pre-light aromas suggest cedar, dry hay, toasted nuts, and a little natural sweetness. Nothing particularly aggressive, which is exactly what I would expect from this blend. The cold draw offers hints of wood and mild spice, suggesting a relatively gentle but potentially interesting smoking experience.
I have always appreciated Connecticut-wrapped cigars that manage to offer flavour without relying on excessive strength. The question here is whether the Goodness can deliver enough complexity to remain interesting throughout its relatively short format.
Smoking Experience
First Third – Opens with a pleasant combination of creamy cedar, toasted almonds, and a delicate white pepper spice. There is a subtle sweetness running underneath the wood and nutty flavours, giving the profile a smooth and approachable character. The smoke has a soft, creamy texture, and the overall balance is enjoyable. Nothing particularly powerful or surprising, but the flavours work nicely together. Unfortunately, the burn begins to show some inconsistency, requiring attention earlier than I would have liked.
Second Third – The toasted almond character becomes slightly more pronounced, accompanied by sweet hay and a gentle woody richness. The white pepper settles into the background, allowing the creamier elements to take centre stage. There is a pleasant natural sweetness that keeps the profile from becoming too dry. However, the cigar requires a relight, interrupting what should have been a straightforward and relaxing smoke. The flavours remain enjoyable once combustion is restored, but the interruption takes away from the overall experience.
Final Third – Cedar and toasted nuts continue to dominate, with a slightly stronger pepper character adding some welcome intensity. The sweetness becomes more restrained, and the profile develops a drier, more tobacco-forward finish. Unfortunately, a few relights throughout the smoking experience become the defining frustration. The cigar never becomes particularly unpleasant, but the repeated interruptions prevent me from fully enjoying what is otherwise a nicely balanced blend. The final section remains flavourful enough, although the overall experience feels less polished than it should.
Pairings
Alcohol – Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Rich notes of honey, vanilla, citrus, and gentle oak complement the cigar's creamy cedar and toasted almond character beautifully. The whisky's natural sweetness provides a pleasant contrast to the white pepper while adding a little extra depth to the more delicate tobacco flavours.
Tea – Taiwan Bao Zhong Oolong - Delicate floral aromas, gentle sweetness, and a fresh, lightly creamy character make this an excellent companion for the Goodness. The tea's subtle complexity works particularly well with the cigar's cedar, hay, and toasted nut notes without overwhelming the tobacco.
Music Pairing
“Lovely Day” – Bill Withers
Warm, uplifting, and wonderfully uncomplicated. A fitting companion for the final third, reminding me that even when a cigar isn't performing perfectly, there can still be plenty to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
RoMa Craft Intemperance EC XVIII Goodness is a pleasant Connecticut-wrapped cigar with an approachable flavour profile and enough character to make it interesting. The combination of creamy cedar, toasted almonds, white pepper, and sweet hay creates a nicely balanced smoking experience, particularly during the opening section.
There is something appealing about the way the flavours work together. Nothing feels excessively strong or aggressive, and the natural sweetness provides a pleasant contrast to the woody and nutty elements. It is the kind of cigar that should be easy to enjoy without demanding too much attention.
Unfortunately, the construction lets it down. The need for a few relights throughout the smoke repeatedly interrupts the experience, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable rhythm. I can forgive the occasional correction, but when a cigar repeatedly goes out, it becomes frustrating regardless of how enjoyable the tobacco might be.
The flavours themselves are pleasant, although not particularly complex, and I would have liked a little more development toward the final third. Combined with the combustion issues, this leaves the Goodness feeling like a cigar with decent potential rather than one that truly impressed me.
I wouldn't dismiss the blend entirely, as there are certainly enjoyable qualities here. However, this particular example didn't deliver the consistent, relaxing smoking experience I was hoping for.
Final Score: 6/10
Why not a 10?
The cigar required a few relights throughout the smoking experience, repeatedly interrupting the enjoyment. Although the flavours were pleasant and nicely balanced, the inconsistent combustion and relatively modest complexity prevented it from achieving a higher score.
Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.