Skip Martin of RoMa Craft announced the new Baka line on social media in March of 2019. He showed it off at the IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas that July, and it shipped in October. The line will come in 7 sizes total, with one new size being released each year. The first size to ship was the Bantu, a 4 x 52 Rothschild. The next to ship will be Acephalous 5 x 56. While this is a regular production cigar, it will be in limited quantities every year. Baka is the first completely new line from RoMa Craft since the Wunder|Lust, which wasn't available in the U.S.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The sizes in the line are Pygmy 4 x 46, Bantu 4 x 52, Ota Benga 4 1/2 x 60, Poki 5 x 50, Acephalous 5 x 56, Jengi 5 3/4 x 46, Hunter Gatherer 6 x 54. All come in boxes of 24 except the Pygmy is comes in boxes of 30. The blend uses a Cameroon wrapper with undisclosed binder and filler. The name Baka refers to the Baku people, a small ethnic group living in Cameroon and the surrounding countries. The cigar has been hard to find so far and only 1,000 boxes were planned for this year. Skip Martin describes it as a small annual release.
“This mottled wrapper on this stick reminds me of old shoe leather. Rustic and elegant at the same time. A traditional triple cap covers the head with some light veins and seams throughout the body.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Aroma: 93
“Manure mixed with cinnamon on both the body and foot, but on there foot there is a more chocolate undertone.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Room note is very nice. Cigar starts with cayenne spice and espresso on the finish. Cigar is medium+ in strength. A sweet peanut joins the espresso note. The peanut is becoming more powerful.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“First few puffs greet me with espresso and spices; white pepper, anise and cloves to be more accurate. Definitely a lingering on my tongue with each draw. This pleases me so.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“So far I feel as if I hit up a Thai joint after my local barista. I'm getting some good heat from exotic spices that continually coats my tongue and throat. Right about when I think it's all heat, the creamy espresso on the finish hits me. Lovely, just lovely. Each retro brings about a warmth and singe of the nostrils. Any congestion I may have been dealing with beforehand will be a forgotten memory when this is said and done.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“The second third seems to come fast which is not surprising given this cigars diminutive size. The flavors remain consistent with the first third. The pepper from the beginning has subsided some but remains in full effect in the retro. Substantial smoke output is thick and chewy and the strength has amped up a bit. I'm really liking this Cigar.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Cigar is getting sweeter and sweeter the sweet cream quickly becomes burnt caramel, espresso note has become undetectable, and the espresso note is becoming less and less detectable. Peanut is still detectable but less and less.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Going into the final third, the pepper returns to the main profile. The roasted almond subsides and is replaced by sweet spices. The finish remains fairly short and slightly salty.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“Really nice draw, not too open.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 93
“Burn performed very well throughout the whole experience. Kudos to the manufacturer.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 94
“Excellent construction, I was working on an inch and a half ash before it dropped on my lap *sad face*” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“I loved the cigar definitely box worthy especially if fall is coming. I don't think I have ever smoked a cigar this sweet unless it was flavored or dipped.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This cigar surprised me by how strong it started off…..lots of dirt and earth tones, with a hint of marshmallow, but in the second the earthiness to a back seat and more cream came front and center. Then in the final third the spice returned, but it didn't overpower the cigar. I wouldn't seek these out, but if I came across this cigar I would smoke again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“There are times that you have a cigar and don't want it to end. This is one such time. An incredible cigar that gave me intense spice behind a creamy espresso profile. I love the size, the profile, and will definitely be looking to pick more of these up for my personal collection.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“Great burning qualities and flavor shifts in a small package. What more can I say other than I thoroughly enjoyed this Cigar. I would definitely smoke this again. Pair with black coffee, bourbon or dark beer.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
"There are times that you have a cigar and don't want it to end. This is one such time. An incredible cigar that gave me intense spice behind a creamy espresso profile. I love the size, the profile, and will definitely be looking to pick more of these up for my personal collection. " -Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
