It looks like Steve Saka from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, has a new mistress. In this case the Mi Querida. Although the phrase translates as “my Dearest”, Steve notes; “it is a rather provocative word within Nicaragua used to describe your secret mistress.”
The Mi Querida is Steve’s second introduction since leaving Drew Estate, he introduced his “secret mistress” to all his followers at this years IPCPR in Las Vegas. The Mi Querida follows up the Sobremesa which was the Dunbarton inaugural release in 2015.
Manufactured at Nicaragua American Cigars S.A (NACSA). in Estelí, Nicaragua under the stewardship of their new Master Cigarmaker Raul Disla at Steve Saka’s direction.
The Mi Querida is available in 7 vitolas and are presented in 20-count boxes except the Más Sucia which will be available in 10-count boxes:
- Fino Largo (6 x 48) – MSRP $8.95
- Ancho Corta (5 x 52) – MSRP $8.75
- Ancho Larga (6 x 52) – MSRP $9.45
- Muy Gordo Grande (6 x 56) – MSRP $9.95
- Más Sucia (7 x 64) – MSRP $13.45
- Gordita (4 x 48) – MSRP $8.35
- Pequeno Pequeno (4 x 44) – MSRP $7.45
The Mi Querida blend is described by Mr. Saka as:
- Capa (Wrapper) – Connecticut Broadleaf
- Capote (Binder) – Nicaraguan
- Tripa (Filler) – Nicaraguan
According to the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust training Pak I received from the company:
Packaged simply in understated boxes, this brand is an expression of the greatest value possible for the hardcore cigar enthusiast. As always, the pace of its production is being dictated by the tobaccos themselves and therefore it will be limited in its availability via Select Purveyors for the foreseeable future.
For this review I sampled the Mi Querida Fina Largo
Cigar Review notes
- Rugged, toothy, and veiny cigar with a dark, coffee bean brown, Capa with lots of marbling
- Firm and tight to the touch
- Deep earthy pre-light aroma
- Aging barn tobacco aroma along the barrel
- Some very dark leaf from what I see on the foot
- Cold draw has a pleasant restriction as it delivers an earthy set of notes and a sprinkle of pepper on the lips
- Rolling it about I notice the pepper grows – I hope I am not in for a pepper bomb here!
- Nope, not a pepper bomb at all, but rather a tangy coffee start with just a touch of pepper and chocolate back note
- A spicy butter enters near the end of the first third with a tangy citrus finish
- The aroma is a sweet oak
- The ash is a medium to dark grey and rests on a thin, pinpoint char line
- Ash falls after the first third revealing a well centered burn cone – I expect nothing less from Mr. Saka
- The coffee turns slightly bitter midway through the second third
- Maple syrup notes enter the profile at the end of the second third
- The bitter note fades and a citrus blends with the coffee and maple syrup
- Spice starts to build up approaching the final third
- Slow burner
- Very oily wrapper
- Aroma picks up the spicy maple
- Spice dances with a woodsy note at the end
- Medium-plus in strength
- Total smoking time was 90 minutes
Overall, Mi Querida by Steve Saka is a uniquely different cigar from his inaugural Sobremesa. It is a rugged cigar that delivered on flavor and burn. The flavors are nicely accented by a gentle pepper playing through the background and keeping the palate enticed.
Mi Querida by Steve Saka