Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka Krakatoa – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust‘s latest addition to the Muestra de Saka line is the “Krakatoa.” This seventh installment in the series, much like its volcanic namesake, promises an eruption of flavors, meticulously crafted over three years to achieve perfection.

Wrapped in a Grade A1 Ecuador Habano Seed leaf, the Krakatoa harbors a Nicaraguan Sungrown binder and a blend of Nicaraguan Grown Broadleaf, Cuban Seed Criollo, and Corojo ligero fillers. This unique combination is not just a testament to Saka’s blending prowess but also an invitation to experience the robust, yet refined character of this 6.00 x 48 parejo, complete with a distinctive “volcano” spiral colita.

Offered in individual cedar coffins within a 7-count box, the Krakatoa is said to offer notes of sweet cedar, bright citrus, café, and earthy spice. The cigar is crafted at Joya de Nicaragua, S.A., in Estelí, Nicaragua, with an estimated production of around 3,000 boxes.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Steve Saka
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jason A (Jason A.) Fred L. (Fred L.) Bradlee W. (Brad W.) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $20.75
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: September 2023
Contributed by: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Initial Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka Krakatoa

Appearance: 91

“Soft, silky, beautiful pigtail cap, firm packing but perfectly bouncy.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

Aroma: 88

“The foot holds hints of heavy coffee, earth, and cedar making for a very rich aroma. Upon lighting the aroma kicks off with notes of toast, charred oak wood, and earth.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Cedar, hickory, a bite of red pepper on the tongue, mouthfeel / body is sweetened with a milk chocolate that lingers between each puff.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“For the pre-light there are notes of hay, wood, and a slight hint of citrus. Upon lighting, scores of creamy smoke are pouring out with charred oak notes, a semi-sweet finish, and hints of leather. Slight hints of nuts come into play over time with the noted addition of black pepper. While these notes remained constant, there was a slightly bitter-citrus aftertaste.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Sweetness has kind of dissipated, but there is still a nice bit of cocoa that stuck around. Also starting to get some beginnings of black pepper to heat things up but nothing serious.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Same strength in this third, and there is more coffee notes up front and center. The cherry flavor has left us for the time being. More wood notes on the retro than the cream this time around.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Final Third

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

“Final third continues with a great burn and smoke. Still has a creamy note along with earth and tobacco notes.” –Jason A (Jason A.)

“The final third is a shift that leans heavily towards the black pepper as the dominant flavor, letting the cocoa take a back seat. Now this isn’t to say it is heavy pepper, like the kind that tingles your nostrils. You know it’s there, doing its thing, but that is about it. Definitely nothing hardcore going on to finish things off.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka Krakatoa

Draw: 97

” If you haven’t noticed by now, I typically favor a v-cut, and once again, it gives me just the amount of resistance I’m looking for.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Burn: 96

“Overall, burned very well. No touchups were needed, the ash was a salt and pepper gray and very solid. The burn line started fairly jagged but straightened by the second third.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

Construction: 97

“The blend was perfectly constructed. From cap to foot there were no touch ups needed, not even a single touch-up throughout the entire cigar.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“Good cigar, great burn and construction. Mild to medium body, nice flavor notes of creamy syrup, bread, nuts and light coffee.” –Jason A (Jason A.)

“Overall, this was a good cigar, medium in strength and not overly complex making this a good start-your-day cigar. While the aroma and construction were outstanding, this cigar started strong but ended on a rather bitter note. I’d recommend pairing it with a French Roast or Guatemalan coffee.” –Fred L. (Fred L.)

“The overall notes were smooth and sweet. With hints of a peppery bite on the tongue. The cigar transitioned beautifully from a sweet cedar to a warm bready, cabinet slice delight. Each third of the cigar revealed its beautiful constitution with great transitional changes over the course of the smoke. It was a superb example of what a transitional smoke experience should be.” –Bradlee W. (Brad W.)

“Overall this was a great mild to medium cigar that performed wonderfully. This cigar gave me plenty of sweetness, along with coffee, wood, and some cream notes. This size was pretty close to perfect as well, and I would love to try more of these.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Things started off quite excellent and never really disappointed me. Sure, I’d have loved that chocolate malt to dominate, but I also can’t be upset at a cigar having transitions and complexity. I’d smoke this one again, at least a few times.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 89

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka Krakatoa – Blind Cigar Review