Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Sumatran
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Size: 6.25 x 50
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $8.75-$11.75 Depending on 7 Sizes Available.
My cigars received 2 months of naked humidor time.
This is the first release of the beloved CroMagnon in over a year…and a revamped blend different from previous versions.
The cigar in my photo was a pre-release stick.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I suck but get no air. My PerfecDraw is a simpering idiot waiting in the wings. I let loose the dogs of war. But only one stab is required. My PD tool wants more. I tase it. It sleeps.
Sniff-O-Berg-O-Rama. A chocolate candy bar. With nuts. Male.
I tend to steer away from PA Broadleaf wrappers. Too harsh. Rarely is this wrapper too cool for school.
A spicy meatball begins. Lots of red pepper. But also, a Hershey Chocolate Bar with Almonds. I like it. There is a tartness. Key lime pie. I struggled with that one. I found it without consulting the flavor wheel. A hint of creaminess that will appear in force later.
I watched a big retailer’s video review of a Padron I recently crtitiqued. Two suits acting pompous and sophisticated. Why sophisticated? They also spoke of bourbon. I had to laugh. Not a single entertaining moment in a very long 15 minutes. Who smokes a cigar in a suit and tie? I guess it demonstrates they know what they’re talking about. Ha.
Super chocolaty. Creamy. Mickey Mousse. Malt. A touch of vanilla. Sweet 60%. Savory 40%.
Generally, I’ve given up posting a bunch of cigar photos while I review. I’m too fucking lazy. But this baby is such a nice-looking stick with a beautiful burn:
If I had blind tasted this blend, I’d never have guessed a PA Broadleaf was used. In fact, I’d have bet against it. Super smooth and rich. There is an edge created by the Nic filler, but it is beautifully offset by the Sumatran binder and Dominican co-filler. Skip Martin nailed it when he decided to take the tested CroMagnon name and give it new life.
I can’t believe that this is only a $10 stick. This just doesn’t happen anymore.
Strength is medium/full at only 1” burned. 25 minutes. Long haul Sally.
A near perfect balance. You need the Nic leaves for some kick. The Sumatra binder, which is usually seen as a wrapper, offers up lovely sweetness, rich soil, cinnamon, and a gorgeous floral aroma and taste. The Dominican leaf seems to be the glue. The Broadleaf is the outlier…but not intrusive or disruptive.
Have I mentioned the construction. There is some loose wrapper at the cap. My fault. Thank goodness for PerfecRepair cigar glue. This stuff has become like a third appendage. In the past, I’ve read how guys make up some sort of witch’s brew to do the same thing. For $10, you get a bottle that lasts nearly forever. I smoke a lot so a bottle lasts 6 months. That’s 2.7¢ per day in dog years.
The halfway point. Strength is just shy of ass kicking. But not a single hint of nicotine.
Morphing. Butterfinger Bar. Had a friend who lived on a steady diet of beer and Butterfingers. Ended up joining the army at 28 to avoid prison. Never heard from him again.
An old friend contacted me. At 74, he dyes his hair. And edits the photo so his old-man-turkey-neck doesn’t show. Only thing missing was an ascot.
Strength is full but without jagged edges.
Walking in Memphis. Or Graceland.
The obvious choice would have been an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The PA was the right decision.
This is a great $10 stick. Some point in the future, this price tag will be associated with tales of yesteryear. If you’ve got a fair to middlin’ palate, you’re going to pick up on these flavors quickly. Nothing subtle about the CroMagnon. Yeah, it’s smooth, rich, and complex. And this is the dichotomy that makes it work. Love the kick. Big fat flavors. No bitterness or harshness. And my stick has only 2 months of naked humi time. Imagine a year from now. $10.
Stewart and I found that we were funny guys. Radio interviews were always necessary when arriving in a new city. To keep ourselves sane, we made them manic and out of control. But we edged out the other bandmembers’ spotlight. We were The Stooges ala The Marx Brothers. Pissed off Darryl and Sonja. Darryl asked me to teach him to be clever. I tried. It didn’t take.
To get even, he told reporters I played with Elvis. There was no internet. These guys believed anything you told them. I put on a faux Southern accent and talked a lot of trash. Darryl tired of it as it, once again, stole the spotlight from him.
This is a really good cigar. For $10, it’s a no brainer. The change of wrappers from Connie Broadleaf to PA Broadleaf allows Martin to get a nice consistency in the blend. The CroMagnon 2024 is box worthy. This is a regular production cigar…so take your time snagging some. But I know you want some now. We cigar idiots always want new toys. The head spinner is choosing from 7 sizes. I bit the bullet, as I have no self-control, and bought a quartet of the Anthropology (5.75 x 46) and a quartet of the Mandible (4.5 x 60). After promo codes, it was $7.92 per stick. If I had Dr. Rod’s dough, I’d buy a all 7 sizes.
You can purchase all 7 sizes from Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’).
RATING: 95
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Cigar Reviews by the Katman 
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