RoMa Craft – Cigars

RoMa Craft Tobaco – Mike Rosales and Skip Martin

Behind the boutique label are two US boys, Mike Rosales and Skip Martin (RoMa), who originally weren't involved in tobacco at all. In fact, they come from the IT industry. These two career changers, who now own their own cigar factory in Nicaragua's cigar hub Esteli, have rather unconventional résumés. They bring a fresh breeze to the industry, and this is well-received by consumption-happy Americans. Their medium to sometimes quite strong cigars have a loyal fan base in the United States.

References to Prehistory: RoMa Craft Cigars

When it comes to the names of their series, Skip and Mike like to draw inspiration from prehistoric phenomena, such as the Cro-Magnon man, an early representative of Homo sapiens. He was named after his first discovery site, a cave in southwestern France.

The line CroMagnon (formerly Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro) offers strong cigars meant to reflect a primal character. This is achieved by using a Maduro wrapper from Pennsylvania, with an african Cameroon binder. Even stronger is the CroMagnon Aquitaine, which features a Ligero wrapper.

A World-Famous Düsseldorfer

Skip and Mike’s fondness for referencing themes from human prehistory is further evidenced by their Neanderthal line. That this particular figure inspired a cigar series delights us as Düsseldorfians, of course. After all, after Heine and Heino, he is probably the most famous son of the most beautiful city on the Rhine. Though he didn't only live in the Lower Rhine region, it was here that his bones were first documented. His range extended across much of Europe and Asia, so it's not just us Düsseldorfians who can claim him in our ancestry. At RoMa Craft Cigars, he represents an exceptionally strong series; lovers of robust Nicaraguan cigars will enjoy him!

RoMa Craft Intemperance: A Strong Sense of Freedom

Temperance means moderation – a term that in the USA is particularly associated with the Prohibition movement of the early 20th century. Skip and Mike aren't exactly big fans of state-driven culture of abstinence and want to make a statement against it with the term Intemperance. For example, with the Intemperance WR 1794 (Whiskey Rebellion). It recalls the Whiskey Rebellion at the end of the 18th century, during which a tax on spirits was protested.

An entirely unique series is the Intemperance BA XXI (Brazil Arapiraca). With its Brazilian wrapper and Indonesian binder, it is quite mild for RoMa Craft. Not quite as aromatic, but still highly recommended, is the Intemperance EC XVIIII (Ecuador Connecticut). Another member of the Intemperance family is the Intemperance VO 1920 (Volstead).

Special Cigars from RoMa Craft

WunderLust does not refer to a romantic song cycle, even if the title might make one think of piano music by Schubert or Mahler. The highly popular series with a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper contains a filler with an ingredient whose origin RoMa Craft keeps secret. We can only speculate, but there must be a reason why this series is not available in the USA…

Finally, Weaselitos are unlike anything else. They are essentially half cigars; the filler was halved before the wrapper was applied. They are sold affordably in bundles and serve as an inexpensive option for in-between.