Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust‘s least expensive cigar, Umbagog made a small release back in August 2016 to meet the FDA deadline, and a larger this year in March. It was first showed off at IPCPR 2016.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Umbagog, named after Saka’s favorite fishing lake, is a cigar that uses Connecticut broadleaf wrapper that is designated as too ugly to be used on Mi Querida, a more premium offering. It is is packaged in 10-count craft paper bundles.
The four-size line uses a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler. The vitolas are: Corona Gorda (6 x 48) — $6.45 (Bundles of 10, $64.50), Robusto Plus (5 x 52) — $6.45 (Bundles of 10, $64.50), ToroToro (6 x 52) — $6.95 (Bundles of 10, $69.50), Gordo Gordo (6 x 56) — $7.45 (Bundles of 10, $74.50)
The story with Umbagog backdates to the creation of Mi Querida. Amid the quality control process, Saka felt that a portion of the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper he was utilizing was not visually up to the par of Mi Querida. While the wrapper wasn’t as beautiful as Saka might want, the tobacco was still great. Instead of dispose of the wrapper, Saka chose to utilize the wrapper for another stogie. He called it “Umbagog” and offer it at a lower cost. To balance costs, Saka chose to bundle the stogies in groups rather than boxes. Since the measure of the less agnostic Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper tobacco is limited, the generation of this stogie has been fairly constrained. Today we review the Dunbarton Tobaco & Trust | Umbagog Robusto Plus.
Saka explains in his own words the naming of the cigar project:
“’Oom-BA-gog’” is a perfect cigar for my time spent in the great outdoors. Named after my favorite fishing lake, it is robust and durable, designed to endure the rigors of outside activity with its thick broadleaf capa and easy burning liga. This is a cigar that doesn’t pretend to be special or seek to elicit the ‘oohs or aahs’ of the cigar snobs. It is an honest, hardworking cigar that is meant to be smoked, chewed upon and lit however many times you wish. For me, it is the perfect cigar for mowing the yard, hiking, four wheelin’ and of course, fishing!”
“This is a nice looking Robusto sized cigar that is sporting a dark chocolate colored wrapper with moderate blotching and significant veining. The edges of the wrapper leaf are thicker than the rest, leaving a spiral ridge and easily discernible cap.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Aroma: 92
“Wonderful aroma of cocoa and a slightly nutty notes. Makes me even more excited to light this and boy up!” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)
First Third
Flavor: 95 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Mostly promising initially. Strong notes of charred wood and dark roasted coffee beans. There’s also a quick blast of wet dog, which will hopefully not be featured prominently. The canine blast was definitely not a regular thing. This has heated up nicely and the woody/coffee flavors are very much front and center. There is also a nice sweet molasses finish with baking spices notable on the retrohale. Good smoke production, and top notch construction thus far. Nice tight ash has held for the duration of the initial third. Aside from a couple draws that had a bit of an ammonia flavor, this is a really enjoyable cigar thus far.” –John I. (John I.)
“This cigar started off fully in my wheelhouse. The initial flavors were heavy in coffee with carmelized sugar. There is just a touch of white pepper spice through the nose but it is just the amount I prefer to have when retrohaling. The smoke is thick and rich and sticks together on the exhale….billowing in aromatic clouds.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“The middle third is mainly characterized by the same flavors. I do notice some salty notes and some kind of charred wood flavor, but mainly the molasses and pepper from earlier. The retrohale is still nice and smooth.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“Strength really picked up and kinda hit me in the face on this third. Still getting hints of cocoa with a pepper spice. Producing lots of great soft velvety smoke!!!” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)
Final Third
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Full
“At the midpoint of this cigar I decided to pair it with a Dragons Milk Stout and couldn’t have been happier with the results. The burned sugar and coffee notes of the cigar paired extremely well with the bourbon notes of the stout. Each puff of the cigar left me wanting to take another and at the last puff I was ready to light another one…this one has me eagerly awaiting the reveal.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“Right away into the final third I was met with that continued peppery kick that tickled the tongue. Eventually the flavors mellow out into a earthy nuttiness to finish.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 97
“This cigar had an excellent draw from beginning to end. There really isn’t much else to say…it is a standard most cigars should strive to attain.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Burn: 94
“Consistently burned really well. Nice tight ash throughout. Held initially near the halfway point, beyond that I tapped it out of reflex a few times, but likely would have held til near the end.” –John I. (John I.)
Construction: 95
“The seams were particularly unique in this sample, but remained intact for the duration. In addition, the cap was very thick…actually difficult to punch through but performed perfectly….all in all, this was a superbly constructed stick.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“This would have been a much better cigar if not for the harsh chemical notes in the middle, and again toward the very end. If I weren’t reviewing this I doubt I’d have smoked it much beyond the mid point. Some age would likely do these a lot of good. Stick them in the back of the humidor and forget about them for about 18 months and you’ll likely have something.” –John I. (John I.)
“Overall it was a tasty cigar, but I got no wow factor from it. The flavors were consistent and it delivered in performance, but it was somewhat underwhelming in appearance and overall complexity. I would probably try it again, depending on the price point.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“This was a cigar that fired on all cylinders for me. Once I paired it with a very rich stout, it really came into its own and was a superb cap to my evening. I have absolutely nothing to criticize with this sample. It would be my honor to personally thank the blender and roller of this super premium cigar. This will find a home in my rotation if I can find more!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“For a me this was a stronger smoke and that being said I really enjoyed that pepper kick the smoke had to offer!! I really enjoyed the amazing creamy smoke the cigar produce. That mix of pepper and cocoa flavors really made for an enjoyable smoke that I’m interested in indulging in again!!!” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)
"This was a cigar that fired on all cylinders for me. Once I paired it with a very rich stout, it really came into its own and was a superb cap to my evening. I have absolutely nothing to criticize with this sample. It would be my honor to personally thank the blender and roller of this super premium cigar. This will find a home in my rotation if I can find more!" -Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong