n 2018 & 2019, 2GuyCigars.com selected Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust to make their annual Firecracker cigar. Shortly after its release, Steve Saka reached out to Two Guys Smoke Shop owner David Garofalo to see if he would approve of using the basis of the Firecracker blend for a line of Mi Querida cigars called Triqui Traca. The original test blends carried a long fuse on the cigar but the official release sees no fuse.
The name ’Triqui Traca’ is Nicaraguan slang for oversized firecrackers that are connected by fuses in a long serial string. These explosive ropes are then laid down in the center of a street and sometimes stretch multiple city blocks. Ignited from one end, they explode in a cascading line of powerful concussions and blinding light down the entire length of the street. Triqui Traca are often lit in celebration of important religious and national holidays.
The first shipment of the Triqui Traca sold out in hours and now that they are back on the shelves we fire up the 552 for review.
Cigar Review: Mi Querida Triqui Traca
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: 552 (Robusto)
The Look: At a quick look it is very easy to confuse this marca with the original as the boxes are identical with minor differences in the words burned into the box. Inside the 20 cigars sit with a red and gold band, which thankfully creates some separation between the Mi Querida line when on the shelf. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is lighter in color than I expected though it is loaded with oils. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots.
The Notes: The cold draw offers a subtle sweetness along with a touch of citrus and paprika while the aroma of the foot of cigar there is a subtle red pepper with a hint cedar. Once the cigar is toasted and it lacks the punch I expected given the marketing behind it.
As we smoke the first third of Mi Querida Triqui Traca there are notes of red pepper and burning cedar. There is an underlying sweetness of caramel on the finish of the cigar while the retrohale offers up an abundance of eye watering wasabi notes.
The second third of the cigar sees the sweetness of the blend take control of the palate with notes of choral that transition to mocha around the half way point of the smoke. The finish becomes a strong espresso while the retrohale and resting aroma of the cigar is loaded with wasabi that causes the eyes to water.
While I tend to like stronger full bodied cigars the last third of the Mi Querida Triqui Traca had me wanting to reach for something sweet to reduce the effects of the cigar. I forget who referred to stronger cigars for the leather tongues out there, but this one would fit the bill. The notes on the last third are leather and espresso with continued wasabi on the aroma.
The Finish: The cigar which is based on the Two Guys Smoke Shop exclusive of the Mi Querida Firecracker has been debated by me. The 648 size to me was considerably different than that release. However, the 552 is more along the lines of that explosive cigar and the comparison is just in my opinion. In short, this cigar doesn’t suck.
Score: 93
Price: $10.99 / $182.99
Mi Querida Triqui Traca
Mi Querida Triqui Traca Foot
Mi Querida Triqui Traca Burn
