Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

The original Mi Querida came out in 2016 and was the sophomore release for Steve Saka‘s Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. This was also his highly anticipated first released outside of Drew Estate to use Connecticut broadleaf, as his first release, Sobremesa, was a Habano blend. The name Mi Querida roughly translates from Spanish to “My Mistress.” In 2018 the Mi Querida line got a spinoff for United Cigars as their annual Firecracker release, in which the blend was tweaked to be stronger and in their signature 3 1/2 x 50 vitola with a fuse cap. Only 500 boxes of 20 of those Firecrackers were made and the success of that line drew Saka to turn that blend into a regular production cigar of his own which would be called the Mi Querida Triqui Traca. The Triqui Traca addition comes from the Nicaraguan term used to describe firecrackers that have been tied together. The Mi Querida Triqui Traca launched in two sizes, No. 552 (5 x 52) and No. 648 (6 x 48). In 2020, Saka added two new regular production sizes: No. 652 (6 x 52) and No. 764 (7 x 64). Finally in December of last year, a fifth size was added, being the smallest and the closest to the original Firecracker size: No. 448 (4 x 48).

The Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 blend uses a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The cigars are rolled, like the original Mi Querida line, at the Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA) factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Each Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 has an MSRP of $8.95 per cigar.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Rothschild
Length: 4″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Factory: Nicaraguan American Cigar S.A. (NACSA)
Blender: Steve Saka
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Mickey T. (irratebass) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Quinn (quinnpins269) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $8.95
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: December 2021
Contributed by: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Initial Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448

Appearance: 89

“Rustic looking short Robusto sized cigar, with a heavily mottled medium brown wrapper and small pigtail cap. Due to the mottling and color variation, the seams are readily visible. The wrapper is toothy, but not very oily. The pigtail cap almost looks like it was seamed on with a different colored wrapper leaf, as there is almost a shade-grown colored band around the cigar near the cap. The cigar is mostly firm, with just the slightest amount of give from foot to cap.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Aroma: 89

“On the nose, scents of leather, must, and wood shine whilst giving this cigar a good snort. On the cold draw, cake batter, leather, wood, and a light baking spices liven the profile to pique my interest.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The cigar starts off right in the middle of the medium-full range, with notes of espresso, bakers chocolate, oak, and leather. The retrohale has a red pepper note to it, along with some cabinet spice, most notably cinnamon on the finish. The draw is exceptional, and the burn is straight and true. As petite as this cigar is, the first part is over quick!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“Heavy clove flavors on the cold draw. The cigar is starting out pretty mild and mellow, as well as very very smooth. I am picking up notes of nuts, some cream, and sweet tobacco flavors.”-Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Quickly moving into the second third, the full-body tames itself down into a much more relaxed smoking experience. Big leather, peppery earth, and oak notes hit your tongue letting you know they are here and want to be known. Rounding out the quick ending of this third, the flavors remain constant while developing a slight sweetness that lingers on the tongue.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“We continued with the black pepper and cocoa into the second third. There were moments of a bit of mineral, but it never stuck around for very long. The burn and draw have been fantastic up to this point.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The final portion of my sample lost the pleasant pepper and became primarily bitter and hot. I’m blaming this on the tight draw and effort required to get any reasonable amount of smoke. Through the nose the smoke became unbearable and ended my desire to retrohale.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Entering the last third, the body on this little boy keeps on the full side of life. Syrupy leather, charred wood, and black pepper on the retrohale. This set of flavors remains consistent through the very end.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Overall Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448

Draw: 91

“Spot on excellent draw without any issues to note.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Burn: 94

“Burn was decent I believe there was only one relight and one touch-up required.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Construction: 91

“Aside from the rustic look, this cigar had excellent construction. Performed well and had great flavor delivery.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 88

“The first portion of this nice looking little cigar was really nice and revealed the promise I got from the aroma. But then Mr. Hyde appeared and as the draw tightened the flavor diminished and the experience became less and less enjoyable. Ultimately, I was glad when the cigar finally ashed out I could put it to rest. Based on the beginning I’d like to try another but I’d hesitate to recommend it at this point.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Overall I did enjoy this cigar. There were plenty of cream, nut, and sweet tobacco flavors to keep me interested. My only complaint was the arrival of spice which caused the strength to go from mild to a medium… not a big jump, but I wasn’t expecting it or wanting it… with that said though the spice only stayed for the middle of the second third and didn’t continue in the final third. I would definitely smoke this cigar again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“This little cigar delivered high in the satisfaction department. Although small, it delivered very well on the flavor side, performed well, and did not take a long time to smoke. This could easily be added to my regular rotation when looking for a flavor-filled cigar that I can enjoy all of it when time is short, like during a lunch break at work or in the middle of a busy weekend day when I don’t have 1 1/2 to 2 hours to sit and smoke a cigar. Can’t wait to find out what this is!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“I enjoyed this cigar from start to finish. The vitola was a great size for a short smoke, and is one I would happily add to my rotation.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“This cigar was like a quick shot of espresso, short, strong, and full of body. Big bold flavors of leather, wood, char, and peppery notes dominated in some form or another during the cigars review. While this cigar wasn’t particularly my cup of tea, its big and bold flavors will amaze many I’m sure for those who want something quick and powerful!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 51

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 – Blind Cigar Review