Sobremesa El Americano Cigar Review

This isn’t the first time we have reviewed the Sobremesa from Steve Saka’s Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust but since the tobaccos are dictating the speed in which they are sent to select purveyor’s I was curious to see if the brand has remained consistent and today we look at the El Americano which is probably the size I have smoked the most since the brands release.

According to the DT&T website, “Sobremesa, “over the table”, has no precise English translation, perhaps because there is no cultural equivalent in the US. It is an idiom used among the Latin culture to describe the leisurely time spent tableside after you have finished dining, but before you rise. It is the experience of lingering casually with family and friends in conversation, relaxing, drinking, smoking, and enjoying each other’s company. Sobremesa is one of life’s simplest, yet greatest pleasures.

Sobremesa will be continuously crafted, however the pace of its production is being dictated by the tobaccos themselves and therefore will be limited in its availability via Select Purveyors for the foreseeable future.“

Cigar Review: Sobremesa
Size: 6 x 52 (El Americano / Toro)
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
Strength: Medium-Full

The Look: Since the initial release I am still fixated on the band that reminds me of an old-fashioned steam vent. I’ve said it before, and I guess I need to move beyond the band because at the end of the day that is all that matters. The chestnut color wrapper has a slightly reddish hue to it. There is some brindle like effects and quite a few thin veins. The cigar is oily and feels velvet like in the hand. 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 cedar and peanut shell aroma which provide a subtle sweetness. Both are quite enjoyable and easy to get lost in.

Once the cigar is lit there is some pepper notes that are present but they subside to revel some notes of cedar and nuttiness. Working deeper into the first third the nuttiness transitions into the dominant note with some cocoa on the finish. The retrohale enhances the spice of the cigar but also compliments the nuts.

The second third sees the nuttiness continue to dominate with hints of cedar. Occasionally a flavor that is reminiscent of raw carrots teases the palate which is actually quite enjoyable. The retrohale sees the spice kick it up a notch but it is offset but cedar and nuttiness.

The last third sees the addition of cinnamon notes but the cigar remains predominately nutty with subtle cocoa and cedar. The spice on the retrohale remains but it seems to be toned down or I just got used to it, take your pick.

The Burn: The first time I smoked a Sobremesa I had some burn issues. Nothing out of control, it was just a bit uneven. But it seems that the shipments that came after that first run of cigars corrected that. The Sobremesa El Americano burned straight and even with an ultra thin combustion line. The medium color grey ash held for a quarter of the stick at time with a bit of flake and the draw was perfection.

The Finish: Whenever you have a smaller cigar company you always wonder if they can continue to put out cigars with consistent quality and flavor. Multiple shipments later, the cigar remains but granted it is only a small sampling. The real question will be a year from now. There is a reason these cigars fly off the shelf, and it’s because they are that damn good.

Score: 92
Price: $12.59 / $264.99