Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka The Bewitched – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT) announced the latest in the Muestra de Saka line, The Bewitched back in March. This is the seventh in the line, following the Exclusivo, Nacatamale, Unicorn, #NLMTHA, Unstolen Valor, and U-Boat. Muestra is a humble, common word for “sample” in Spanish, but it takes on a different meaning in the context of a cigar factory. Here is means the realization of the vision of the ligador and torcedor coming together to make something greater than the sum of its parts.

The blend for Muestra de Saka The Bewitched uses a Grade 1 Ecuador Habano Seed wrapper, exclusive Cultivo Tonto San Andreas Negro binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and the U.S. It is available in just one vitola, a 6 5/8 x 50 prensado with a spiral colita (cap). Like the rest of the Muestra de Saka line, The Bewitched is rolled at the Joya de Nicaragua factory and comes in individual cedar coffins in a 7-ct box. Each box sells for $138.25, or $19.75 per cigar.

The Bewitched was originally created by Steve Saka to celebrate the Owl Shop of Worcester’s 75th Anniversary. But, according to Saka, Owl owner Zach Photakis said this cigar was too good to not share with all Dunbarton’s accounts and gave his blessing to make it a wider release. Also, according to Saka, the name comes from the fact that he was I was spellbound by the blend and captivated his own palate. The owl symbol on the coffins are to honor the Owl Shop and Zach’s family legacy.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Grade 1 Ecuador Habano Seed
Binder: Cultivo Tonto San Andreas Negro
Filler: Nicaragua, USA
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Steve Saka
Number of reviewers: 4 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Randy B. (randobush) Angel M. (Angel)
Price: $19.75
Age: June 2022
Release Date: 3 Months
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka The Bewitched

Appearance: 95

“This beauty measures in at 6.5” x approximately 50rg, and sports an open foot, and a lovely pigtail on the cap. The very smooth and slightly oily wrapper is a medium brown and compliments the long box-pressed vitola. No flaws detected visually.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Aroma: 92

“Black pepper notes on the cold draw with leather notes once lit.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

First Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“This cigar just looked beautiful, so I was anxious to light it up and get going. Right off the bat, the draw was perfect, the mouthful of smoke and super smooth retrohale was delightful. Black coffee, dried oak bark, creamy smooth baking spice, sweet smoked paprika, and plum, and the retrohale is out of this world goodness. The savory finish lasts nicely in between puffs. So far, damn good!” –Randy B. (randobush)

“A dark roast coffee with cocoa nibs and oak sit up top. Mossy earth, plum, and sugarcane sweetness sit just below, with a slight layer of black pepper through the finish. As I get into the third I get more of honey than sugarcane every so often.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Second Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The coffee, cocoa nibs, and mossy earth mix smoothly up top, with sugarcane/honey at or just below that level depending on the draw. Oak has dropped back with the plum blending in, taking some of the oaky bites with it. Still getting a nice layer of black pepper on the finish. Midpoint shifts the cocoa nibs to smoother dark chocolate. Leather coming in and out of the finish.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Going into the second third, the milk chocolate has faded the cocoa remains and a dark chocolate flavor has become prominent. The baking spice is still present but not as prominent. The black pepper has increased a bit but still not much. The smoke output remains creamy and smooth and the cigar remains pleasant and enjoyable.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Final Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The black pepper notes that were around during the cold draw are back and very noticeable. It dominates this portion of the cigar.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“Smoked paprika, zesty nuts (yes, you read that correctly) chicory coffee, a hint of sweet cayenne, on the palate, and nougat and baking spice retro. Strength build a bit on final third.” –Randy B. (randobush)”

Overall Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka The Bewitched

Draw: 95

“I straight cut just a sliver off the top, producing a looser draw with just a slight resistance. Smoke output is moderate to start, though it picks up as the cigar burns down.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Burn: 91

“The burn was wavy, though it always self-corrected fairly quick.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Construction: 93

“Very good construction. Of course, I do have a soft spot in my heart for box pressed cigars, that being said everything held together nicely and performed very well.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 97

“Great cigar to smoke. Notes of black pepper, coffee, and leather. Uneven burn to start and it corrects itself the further along I smoked it. Nice strong grey-white that hangs on for an inch or two. A cigar I’d smoke again and keep a few in my humidor.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This was a very enjoyable and well-balanced dark noted smoke. With fairly constant subtle shifts it kept my interest level pretty high. I would put this in my box-worthy category. The strength is very manageable, and I could easily see it working well any time of day. The only minus is that the burn time is fairly quick for the size.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“I’ll start by saying this is a cigar that needs to be in my humidor. The flavors were incredible with interesting transitions while maintaining the core flavors throughout. I would smoke this cigar again and again.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Overall, this was a very interesting cigar with some noticeable transitions. The flavors went from smooth, creamy, and sweet all the way to robust and deep flavored. The Cocoa transitions to dark chocolate and the pepper slowly rises continuously all the way to the end. The baking spice which was heavy in the beginning and faded towards the end was a great compliment. I would definitely smoke this cigar again; it was greatly enjoyable and tasty.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 66

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka The Bewitched – Blind Cigar Review