On Saturday, Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust joined us on The Cigar Authority show to talk about some of his new brands and the current state of the tobacco industry. During his time on the show, we all got to share one of his new broadleaf blends, Mi Querida (translates to My Mistress in Spanish). A cigar, he says, should please fans of his previous work.
What am I smoking?
Cigar Review: Mi Querida
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Nicaraguan American Cigar S.A. (NACSA)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Packaging & Design
Mi Querida come packaged in boxes of 20 cigars. The boxes are rather plain looking with the name of the cigar on the top lid and the DTT seal on one side with a button snap to keep the lid closed. Steve said he wished he had more time to design a more decorative box, but due to FDA time restraints, the barebones look must suffice. The bands, however, are gorgeous. Featuring blue and gold coloring with some nice details behind the logo. I took pictures to show the detail below.
First Impressions
This is a nice looking smoke. The broadleaf wrapper has a marbled coloring, offers up a nice bit of tooth, and has a slight oily sheen to it. Steve mentioned that this is because the fermentation process for this wrapper is 100% natural which makes the color slightly uneven, giving it a rugged look. The smell on the foot reminds me of hay and leathery spice. A nice combination. After cutting, the prelight draw is milder than I expected, but gives off some notes of straw and cedar. The wrapper, however, is naturally sweet and savory.
The Smoke
Right off the draw, notes of leather and black pepper are present. Behind that, there are nuances of worn leather and driftwood. It’s a spicy start, and I’m looking forward to see how it develops.
Now into the second third, the body had increased significantly. There’s more of a meatiness to the smoke, almost like a BBQ sauce like finish. Mi Querida is sitting at a happy medium-plus in body.
Finishing up on this cigar, and the broadleaf is in the spotlight. Rich notes of cocoa and dark fruit are making this cigar truly enjoyable. On top of that, the natural sweetness from this wrapper is balancing everything out. Still, there are notes of pepper through the nose, but they have mellowed out since the start.
Final Thoughts
Mi Querida was an exceptional cigar. It offered balanced tastes all the way through, and was reminiscent of Saka’s previous work. Back when Sobremesa came out, this is the kind of blend many were expecting. And I have a feeling that this is going to be a very popular and desirable smoke.
Score Breakdown
-Appearance: 23
-Flavor: 24
-Balance: 23
-Construction: 23
Rating: 93
Price: TBD
Mi Querida
Mi Querida
Mi Querida Band Detail
