This past weekend on The Cigar Podcast we fired up a cigar from the prime care package, Sobremesa. 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 table side 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.
Cigar Review: Sobremesa
Wrapper: Ecuador La Meca Ecuador Habano Grade 1
Binder: Mexico Matacapan Negro de Temporal
Filler: Nicaragua (ASP Estelí Hybrid Ligero, GK Condega C-SG, La Joya Estelí C-98, Pueblo Nuevo Criollo) & Pennsylvania Broadleaf Ligero
Length: 4.75
Ring Gauge: 48
Size: Short Churchill
The Look: Unlike other sizes in the Sobremesa line, the Short Churchill comes in packages of 14. The cigar features a Habano wrapper grown in Ecuador that has some tooth it with minimal veins. There are two bands with the first looking like a steam vent, and a secondary band at the foot denoting Sobremesa. In the hand the cigar is firm to the touch with a well packed foot.
The Notes: Once the cap is clipped the cold draw serves up notes of mocha alongside notes of oak and a subtle spice. The aroma off the foot of the cigar is nondescript. Once the cigar is the initial a nuttiness develops almost instantly.
Smoking the first third of the cigar notes of nuts and wood dominate the palate. The nut notes have the characteristics of salted cashews that are easily defined and are incredibly tasty. As the first third nears its conclusion notes of mocha slowly develop with some sweetness on the retrohale.
The second third of the cigar sees it pick up in strength sliding north of medium in my opinion. The mocha notes become dominant by the time we reach the halfway point. Notes of cashews remain in the background along with hints of cocoa. The retrohale offers notes of pepper and mocha.
Moving into the final third the salted cashews remain while the cigar develops a subtle vanilla sweetness. There are additional notes of espresso and earth rounding things out while the retrohale is loaded with pepper. The finish of the cigar is long with some lingering sweetness and earth.
The Finish: The first cigar released by Steve Saka’s Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust in 2015, Sobremesa continues to be a staple his company. In 2019, he followed it up Brûlée which was well received. As for the original release the Short Churchill size is loaded with flavor while be medium-full in terms of perceived strength and is the perfect cigar to enjoy with friends, over the table.
Score: 92
Price: $11.39 / $133.99
