The Quinquagenario is the first RoMa Craft cigar to be made outside of Nicaragua. It is rolled at Tabacalera La Alianza in the Dominican Republic, which is owned and operated by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo.
The Quinquagenario is a limited release cigar, and production was capped at 50,000 cigars.
Cigar Review: Quinquagenario
Size: Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Debut: September 2023
Box Count: 24
Final Smoking Time: 1 hour 39 minutes.
The Cigar: Looking at the box these come in it’s hard to believe there are only 24 cigars in them with its large footprint. The cigar features a blue on white band with the name Quinquagenario. The Sumatra wrapper has a nice amount of oils and a prominent vein structure with none being overly large to detract from its beauty. . In the hand the cigar is firm with a slightly porous foot.
The Taste: The cold draw has hints of citrus and lemon zest while the aroma from the foot is well aged tobacco. The aroma trigged a memory and it takes me back to the heavenly scent that would engulf a cigar factory in the Dominican Republic.
Once we are toasted and lit some of the cold draw makes its way into the smoking experience. The first third has notes of lemon zest, earth and a subtle milk chocolate component to it. The retrohale adds a little spice to it along with a slight nuttiness.
As we cross over to the second third, the citrus notes begin to dissipate and disappear at the halfway point. The notes of earth are toned back as well with hints of chocolate, nuts and caramel becoming the focal point. The retrohale adds a hint of pepper and cinnamon while enhancing what little earthiness remains.
With more than one hour into the smoking experience we begin the final third with notes of cedar and oak creating a canvas for caramel, nuts and chocolate.
Conclusion: Back in the late 90s or early 2000s there was a brand called Face-Off. The concept took two manufacturers (LFD and Camacho) and they each made a cigar only using the other companies tobacco. I would love to see a follow-up with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo making a cigar utilizing the tobaccos at the Nica Sueño factory.
With that said, if you go into the Quinquagenerio looking for that classic RoMa Craft flavor profile you won’t find it here. What you find is the talent that Ernesto-Perez Carrillo and Skip Martin bring to the table. This flavorful cigar is extremely balanced with great complexity. It is a testament that old school and new school both share equal talent.
Score: 93
Price: $16.00 (Before any local and states taxes)
