Steve Saka showed off two major new releases at IPCPR this year: Sobremesa Brûlée and Mi Querida Triqui Traca. The original Mi Querida line made its debut at IPCPR 2016 and we reviewed it here.
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.
The blend is based off the Mi Querida Firecracker release made for Two Guys Smoke Shop in 2018. Every year a new company makes a special “firecracker” shaped vitola of a line the already make.With the Mi Querida, Steve Saka tweaked the blend to be stronger. The cigar features added ligero and a darker wrapper. The rest of the internal components are the same. At launch, the Triqui Traca is available in two vitolas: No. 552 – 5.00 x 52 $10.75 and the No. 648 – 6.00 x 48 $11.75. Mi Querida Triqui Traca started to ship last month. This is regular production, but the initial launch is limited. Like the original Mi Querida, the Mi Querida Triqui Traca is rolled at Nicaraguan American Cigar S.A. (NACSA).
“Mi Querida Triqui Traca, pronounced ‘me kay-ree-dah tree-kee trah-ka’, is arguably our boldest cigar released to date,” shares Founder and Master Ligador Steve Saka. Adding, “At its core, it remains our quintessential Mi Querida blend with its earthy, sweet broadleaf notes, but with the incorporation of a couple refinements. The capa has been switched from the traditional Connecticut Broadleaf Mediums to the rarer No. 1 Dark corona leaves plus a unique, high octane ligero grown in the Dominican Republic has also been introduced into the liga. The resulting cigar retains its inherent sweet loam and chocolate characteristics, yet delivers a significantly heavier smoking experience.”
Saka explains, “’Triqui Traca’ is Nicaraguan slang for oversized firecrackers that are connected by fuses in a long serial string. These explosive ropes are then laid down in the center of a street and sometimes stretch multiple blocks. Ignited from one end, they explode in a cascading line of powerful concussions and blinding light down the entire length of the street. Triqui Traca are often lit in celebration of important religious and national holidays. This cultural icon is an ideal moniker for the explosive nature of this cigar.”
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto Length: 5″ Ring Gauge: 52 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Factory: Nicaraguan American Cigar S.A. (NACSA) Blender: Steve Saka Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) Alan(Eulogy) Mickey T.(irratebass) John A.(Bostoneo) Isaac M.(The Nothing) Price: Age: 2 Months Release Date: September 2019 Contributed by: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“Very rustic looking. There’s a number of very prominent veins running the length of the cigar. There’s a slight toothiness to an almost mahogany colored wrapper. The very large double cap is slightly loose on one side but overall it’s a nice cigar.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 88
“A snug cold draw reveals flavors of cream, cinnamon and leather. On the nose, scents of barnyard, chocolate and coffee beans are evident. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“There’s a lot of heavy flavors right off the bat. Wood, black coffee, salt, a meatiness, and a hint of baking spice are all present and working well together. My lips taste a little salty so I’m not sure if it’s the smoke or the wrapper but it adds a nice depth. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Cold draw greets me with chocolate and walnuts. A lot going on with this cigar already. Nutty flavors mixed with white pepper, chocolate and sweet tobacco. Starting out very nice. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Second Third
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The second third moved things around substantially and there was a savory and smoky quality to the cigar. It reminded me a lot of beef jerky. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Cedar, creamy, and mild black pepper greet me coming Into the second third. With a razor sharp burn, this stick continues to give a consistent profile. Towards the end of this third, the flavor profile shifts towards a distinct black peppered beef jerky flavor. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Final Third
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“I’m getting a slight vegetal note now and again. It’s the only real change since the beginning of the cigar and while not usually my favorite flavor is at least a nice break from what it was. Everything is a little bolder now too. The coffee, leather, cedar, salt, and pepper have all become a little rich then the previous thirds. It’s a nice but very similar end. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“By blending all the flavors from the previous sections of this cigar, the final third was awash with notes of leather, wood, jerky, and earth. Each puffed seemed different and reminded me of other parts of the cigar as a perfect recap. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Nice open draw on this straight cut. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 92
“Burned razor sharp though out and never needed a touch up or relight. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 89
“This cigar performed and looked great, so I could find nothing wrong with construction. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 88
“I would say it’s worth a box if you like lighter cigars or need something to start you day.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“If you like really dark flavored cigars this could be a real winner for you. The profile was a little too consistent with no real evolution for me to want to smoke it on a regular basis. It does so many things great though it’s hard not to recommend it. The smoke was creamy, the flavors were bold, the construction is top notch, and it’s a real slow burner all great things to look for in a cigar. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I enjoyed this cigar. Plenty of flavors to keep my attention with cream, pepper, leather, wood, nuts and some licorice. Cigar was a medium in strength. I would definitely smoke this again. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Overall, this was an okay run of the mill cigar. I wasn’t amazed by anything in particular at all as it was simple and straight forward, maybe budget, smoke. I am sure the slightly snug draw didn’t help in the flavor department as well. This was not horrible my any means… just basic. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“This cigar was simply a joy to smoke. Flavors were plentiful and seemed to differ with each puff. It can easily become something that I always keep on hand for a quick break. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
"I enjoyed this cigar. Plenty of flavors to keep my attention with cream, pepper, leather, wood, nuts and some licorice. Cigar was a medium in strength. I would definitely smoke this again. " -Mickey T. (irratebass)
