Red Meat Lovers | by Dunbarton T&T is the latest in Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series. The Microblend Series is a collaboration for exclusive cigars between Smoke Inn and a manufacturer. This collaboration is with Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. This collaboration happens to also be with South Florida-based organization, Red Meat Lovers Club. This cigar is blended to pair with steak.
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 uses a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper with Mexican San Andrés negro oscuro wrapper and Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania fillers. It comes in one vitola, a 6 x 56 parejo double toro. Only 500 bundles of 10 cigars were made and sold for $119.50. The cigars is rolled at Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA), a factory known until recently for making bundle value cigars. The Mi Querida is also rolled there.
“Cigars and steaks go hand in hand, but to my knowledge, no one has ever actually developed a blend specifically created to be enjoyed intentionally together as a ‘pairing,’” says Steve Saka. “You would think this would be a rather straightforward task, but I took the responsibility very seriously in the selection of the various tobaccos to best compliment the hearty nature of the beef.”
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Double Toro Length: 6″ Ring Gauge: 56 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf (USA) Binder: Mexican San Andrés Filler: Pennsylvania, Nicaragua Factory: NACSA Blender: Steve Saka Number of reviewers: 4 – Olin J.(Olin) James H.(Keikan Jim) Kevin J.(maninblack77) Matt H.(Mattehh) Price: $11.95 Age: 4 Months Release Date: January 2019 Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 96
“Beautiful looking cigar! Lots of oils on the wrapper. Well constructed pigtail cap. Minimal veins. Heavy in the hand and no soft spots. Can’t wait to light this baby. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Aroma: 94
“The wrapper is straight barnyard. Love the mustiness. The foot adds a touch of molasses sweetness and cedar to the mix. Can’t wait to cut and light this one!” –James H (Keikan Jim)
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Getting lots of earthy and coffee notes throughout the first third. This cigar is better than coffee and donuts! ” –Olin J. (Olin)
“Wow! Right off the bat I’m getting those espresso notes throughout. Plus some nutmeg on the back end. Amazing start. Excellent smoke output. Burn line is razor sharp. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Second Third
Flavor: 92 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“This third started to ramp up in strength and body. Definitely had some oomph behind it. Flavors still had that wood core but the chocolate faded. This third had more of an earthy overtone. Noticing that the ash was flaky and was getting all over. Retro was still a little tingly.” –Matt H. (Mattehh)
“Getting into the second third, the retro picks up in intensity slightly. The sweetness remains as the dominant flavor profile, however, I’m getting more cedar notes. The cigar remains smooth with a prefect draw and razor sharp burn. I’m really enjoying this cigar despite it’s larger size. ” –James H (Keikan Jim)
“Still ramping up in strength and body. This third lost the wood core. The flavors were more of coffee and chocolate. The leather came back at the end as well. Retro was still tingly. ” –Matt H. (Mattehh)
“This cigar doesn’t disappoint. Not the most complex cigar I’ve head but the flavors present were spot on. Had to nub it. I didn’t want to put it down. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 99
“Perfect draw on this cigar. No issues!” –Olin J. (Olin)
“This is a favorite. I would buy a box right now if I knew what it was. I like everything about this cigar; I couldn’t put it down.” –Olin J. (Olin)
“I thoroughly enjoyed this Cigar despite its large size. Sweet and lightly peppery with an abundance of smoke output. The only drawback was the aforementioned bitterness at the end. Be prepared to invest some time. This is one is slow burner. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“As I said before, bigger than I normally smoke but this baby was near perfect throughout. I would definitely buy this again. Excellent cigar!” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
“The cigar was good. I would enjoy it more in a different vitola. The ring was just a little too big for my liking. Also I don’t usually go for a cigar that is the medium-full/full range. But for my little qualms about it it was still a good tasting cigar. ” –Matt H. (Mattehh)
Blind Cigar Review: Red Meat Lovers | by Dunbarton T&T
Summary
"I thoroughly enjoyed this Cigar despite its large size. Sweet and lightly peppery with an abundance of smoke output. The only drawback was the aforementioned bitterness at the end. Be prepared to invest some time. This is one is slow burner. " -James H. (Keikan Jim)
