As we eagerly await the Sin Compromiso from Steve Saka’s Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust we decided to look at the brand that started it all for him in his solo career, Sobremesa. It’s a word that doesn’t really really have an English translation, but its best described as the time spent around the dinner table before the dishes are cleared and done. When you kick back, and enjoy the conversation with those around you and if you’re lucky enough you get to light up a cigar such as Sobremesa.
Cigar Review: Sobremesa
Wrapper: La Meca Ecuador Habano #1 Rosado
Binder: Matacapan Negro de Temporal
Filler: Nicaraguan Gk Condega C-SG Seco; Nicaraguan Pueblo Nuevo Criollo Viso; Nicaraguan La Joya Esteli C-98 Viso; Nicaraguan ASP Esteli Hybrid Ligero and USA Lancaster County Broadleaf Ligero
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Vitola: Toro
The Look: When I first reviewed the cigar I was fixated on the fact that band reminded me of an old fashion steam vent. But as time went on it also reminded me of the logo from Imperial margin. As far as the stick is concerned it features a chestnut color wrapper that has a slightly reddish hue to it. There is some brindle like effects and a few thin veins. The cigar is oily and feels like velvet while the foot is well packed and there are no soft spots along the length of the cigar.
The Notes: The cold draw of the el Americano has some notes of cedar and earth with a slightly floral component as well. The foot of the cigar serves up some more cedar along with a peanut shell aroma. After the cigar is toasted and lit the cigar provides a burst of pepper.
Moving into the first third of the Sobremesa the pepper notes begin to subside. Around a half inch some cedar begins to develop with some lingering nuttiness on on the finish. As we move deeper into the first third the nuttiness transitions into the dominant note with a touch cocoa on the finish. The retrohale enhances the spice of the cigar in the form of red pepper.
The second third sees the nuttiness continue to dominate while some cedar lingers in the background. Around the halfway point some floral components begin to emerge from time to time which creates an interesting complexity to the cigar keeping me engaged. The retrohale sees the spice kick it up a notch but it is offset by some cedar that also appears on the aroma.
As we slide into the last third some hints of cinnamon begins to appear although the cigar remains nutty with a touch cocoa and cedar on the finish. The spice on the retrohale remains consistent.
The Finish: While it’s the time of year and people are waiting for new product to appear not he shelves of brick & mortars I also feel its good to return to the scene of the crime. In this case, the cigar that started it all for Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. While things with FDA might bring some clouds, the future for the New Hampshire based company is strong.
Score: 93
Price: $12.59 / $264.99
Sobremesa El Americano
Sobremesa El Americano Foot
Sobremesa El Americano Burn
