Sobremesa Corona Gorda Cigar Review

This past week the most anticipated cigar of 2015 began shipping to retailers and one of the first events for the cigar was held at Two Guys Smoke Shop in Salem, New Hampshire. Invites to members of Cigar Cartel were extended for this private event that featured Steve Saka as a guest on The Cigar Authority podcast along with a Q & A period for members of the Cartel with the creator of Sobremesa.

The cigar which was well received by those in attendance is made up of two different blends with the Corona Gorda and Cervantes Fino being slightly different then the other sizes. The cigars are rolled at Joya de Nicaragua and today we review the smallest of the sizes available.

Cigar Review: Sobremesa
Size: 5.25 x 44 (Corona Gorda)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Matacapan (Mexico)
Filler: Nicaragua (GK Condega C-SG, Pueblos Nuevo Criollo, La Joya Esteli C-98, ASP Esteli Hybrid Ligero) and Pennsylvania (Broadleaf Ligero from Lancaster County).
Strength: Medium-Full

The Look: The cigar band stands out for me which looks like a crown, but also an old-fashioned steam vent. While mostly gold in color there is some brown as well and a secondary foot band that denotes Sobremesa. As for the wrapper it is evenly colored with a slight reddish hue to it and some thin veins which are flush with the wrapper. There is a fair amount of oils visible and the cigar is seamlessly rolled. In the hand the first release from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust is firm with no soft spots.

The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar for me it is easy to pick up the Pennsylvania Broadleaf as there is a mineral like note that is synonymous with the tobacco for my palate. There is a slight sweetness as well while  the aroma off the foot of the cigar is very cedar like.

On the first third of the Corona Gorda there is a slight sweetness that bordered on cocoa thought is mostly  afterthought of the primary notes of cedar and nuttiness. Through the nose the cigar is ridiculously smooth with barely any spice and a lot of cedar.

In the second third of the cigar the wood remains and the strength kicks up a notch moving slightly past medium. The sweetness begins to become more pronounced with hints of cocoa and a touch of cinnamon. The moderate finish of the cigar has a flavor component that reminds me of fresh popped non-buttered popcorn.

The last third of Sobremesa continues to serve up delicious notes of cedar and cocoa sweetness. Through the nose a subtle pepper is introduced ever so slightly and a delicious coffee finish with a touch of cinnamon makes this cigar live up to the hype, but with an asterisk that I will touch on in The Finish. 

The Burn: I smoked two of the cigar for review, and both of them burned slightly off-center for the first third of the cigar. Seriously this is no big deal to me because the burn line was razor-sharp all the way around. Speaking of the burn line, the combustion line was razor-thin and the near white color ash held on for nearly half the cigar. The cigar remained lit from first light to last puff.

The Finish: From the very beginning Steve Saka said this cigar would not be a Liga Privada, but going into the cigar it is difficult to get away from that mind-set. I know I was guilty of it when I smoked my pre-release and again on the podcast this weekend. This is where the asterisk comes in. The thin ring gauge cigars come off a bit stronger and for me I like that medium-full cigar. As for the cigar it is a winner with a rich smooth savory notes and is extremely smooth making this a box worthy purchase.

Score: 92
Price: $9.99 ea @ Two Guys Smoke Shop

Random Notes

• Steve Saka was formerly of Drew Estate and is often credited with the creation of Liga Privada No. 9
• I got to smoke a pre-release sample and I am much more impressed with the finished product.
• During the podcast on Saturday I smoked the Robusto and found it to be a little milder then I expected. At that point Steve handed me the Corona Gorda and for me the difference is night and day.
• I look at the band and I can’t help but think of Imperial Margarine.
• I paired one sample that I smoked with Cuban Coffee, the other with water
• Smoking Time was 1 hour 40 minutes.