Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra Hybrid
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Size: 4.5 x 60 Box Pressed
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $11.25
Released: August 2024
My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
First introduced in 2018, the CroMagnon blend used a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with all Nicaraguan guts. The round vitola is regular production. This box press version is limited. But I found no disclosure of amount.
The wrapper changed because the Connecticut leaf was not available. The box pressed Mastodon was released along with 9 other sizes in 2024.
I reviewed the round CroMagnon in the 6 x 52 toro size in April 2024. Our betters insist that size matters so I am about to divulge if it matters to the general masses.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The cigar is built like a brick house. The oil on the wrapper is so dense that the cigar will not stay put on my glass ashtray. Slippin’ and a slidin’.
Often, a manufacturer will box press a less than stellar cigar to make it sales worthy. Even more often, the press is awkward. The box press on the Mastodon is sharp and curt.
The draw is a golf ball stuck in a blow hole. This is where my PerfecDraw earns its keep. Takes only one swish of its skirt and the resistance is perfect.
The aroma is mostly barnyard with hints of black cherry, floral, cinnamon, and fresh coffee.
Hint: The aroma you seek before lighting is best served after you poke a hole in the cap. This way, the newly breeched cigar opens like petals on a flower. The smell-o-vision is addictive.
The cold draw is brilliant: cinnamon, coffee, cloves, black tea, toffee coated peanuts, and black pepper.
I saw a comment in which a smoker said I yap too much. I laughed while realizing the critique was spot on. Instead of The Whole Megillah, it should say: The Yapping Begins Here.
Splendid opening salvo of flavors: richly appointed leathery restraints, brown sugar, dark chocolate, espresso, and the slightest touch of citrus.
Strength wastes no time. Medium/full out of the gate. My first couple of sticks had only a month or two of humidor time. They kicked my arse. Think Paul Stulac Red Screaming Sun.
Waiting an additional couple of months unveils an elaborate scheme to snag me by the narglies. Flavors explode like a day-old condom: Black cherry, aged beef, chocolate chip cookies, wildflowers, cedar, and mild black pepper.
The rich depth stuns me because of its early introduction. 90% of the time, it takes a good inch before you see a decent cigar act naturally.
The char line is a thing of beauty. Like finally being able to see my teeny weenie when I look down.
So far, no nicotine to muddle things.
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 jail time. Never heard from him again.
Creaminess kicks the door in. My palate has been pantalooned. The growing ash refuses to disembark the mother ship.
Oh man, imagine a Padrón 1926 Serie No.90 Maduro given the go ahead by E.P. Carrillo Encore Black. It’s swingin’ my friend.
Of course, the test will be taken in the last two inches. Nothing pisses me off more than a sunny lunar day followed by a shadowy ending. I refuse to submit that price doesn’t matter when critiquing a cigar. Fuck yeah it matters. I’m not going to rate a $40 blend that is only passable with a 90. On the other side of this coin, I am more apt to highly rate an $11 stick with 95 if it makes me swoon like a dad at his daughter’s quinceañera.
The first half tentatively has me scoring this cigar with mid 90’s. After promo codes, this is only a $10 stick. Excellent sticks for only a sawbuck are becoming harder to find. But then Skip Martin has always been very fair and consumer savvy with his pricing. All hail Mr. Martin.
An old friend contacted me. At 76, 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.
The obvious choice would have been an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The PA was the right decision.
I had a weird dream about Tippi Hedren (The Birds’). I worked for her husband in the late 80’s. A company called Bartec. Structural shop. She tasked me, the other project manager, and the purchasing agent to find a way to power up a mid-60’s desk radio that Alfred Hitchcock gave her. He was trying to get into her pants as she told it. The battery inside the fucker was the size of a car battery. We failed our charge. We took two days and ignored our duties so we could please the broad. She never thanked us for trying. She is now 95. I’m sure she remembers me fondly.
Most writers are solitary by nature. To you, your talent is logical. To others, it is unfathomable. We all have gifts. Use them wisely…
Flavors condense. Not so florid as the first half. The trade off is the deep richness, appropriate transitions, sensible complexity, and power restriction. The cigar is full tilt but without the insufferable nicotine to ruin things.
Dark chocolate, fresh coffee, almonds, coconut, citrus, black cherry, black pepper, toffee, sweet butter, a scoche of blueberry, and cinnamon. None are upfront and hence require squinting of the eyes…the balance could not be more perfect. Damn boys, it’s jammin’. Not once did I feel the need for my water bottle. Smooth and slim. 50/50 savory v. sweet.
3” of ash lands on my bulbous lap. I was going for a cool photo. I should have known.
Do I need more? The dead zone approaches. I will know for sure in 45 minutes.
Yap, yap, yap.
This is the smoothest full tilt blend ever. Reminds me very much of the Padrón 1926 Serie No.90 Maduro. $20 less.
I wasted the first two sticks. Patience will out if you hold on to them for a mere 3 months. Of course, a Let’s See is necessary because smokers have zero serenity now or the forbearance of reptiles.
Creaminess is killer. Like sucking on a thick chocolate shake. Or maybe a classic egg cream. Or maybe an ice cream soda. Damn, boys.
Not a lick of nicotine…oh, wait. And there it is. I don’t care. I haven’t had this much fun since I found out that the thingie on my face was errant ear hair.
I tap the ash. A tiny voice from my crotchal region murmurs ‘thank you.’ Love is all you need.
I am able to remove the multiple layers of cigar band without my fingers shaking…take that nicotine!
I realize I haven’t moved in two hours. My arthritis laughs and then punishes me with broad strokes.
The smooth journey ends with splendor in the grass. It was everything I had hoped. It is an absolute nubber.
Would I buy more. Damn straight. You’re not going to find a better $10 stick anywhere.
You can purchase the RoMa Craft CroMagnon Mastodon 2024 L.E. from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.
RATING: 97
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
AGE THESE!!
When I first tried the similar CroMagnon Mandible in 2023 it had 1 month of age. It was mediocre at best. At 3 months: “pretty good”. At 6 months “excellent”, and after a year of age it blew my socks off… high 90’s for sure. I’m pretty sure this Mastodon 2024 L.E. will follow this same aging timeline.
Remember the Katman’s words of wisdom: “don’t rush it, lay ’em down”. (I was going to add another sentence to this tried and true doctrine but Phil will start crying again, so I won’t.)
I going to buy a box and forget about it for a year.
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