Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

At this year’s TPE trade show, Steve Saka announced a new version of his Sin Compromiso cigar that would be even more refined and as a result, expensive. Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka is the version of the Sin Compromiso blend that Saka says he’s been smoking personally for the last two years that is actually made with the best leaves among the already very selective leaves for the blend. In addition, the blend has been tweaked to include an extra Pennslyvalia Seedleaf in the filler, making it a bit stronger.

Paladin de Saka comes in one size, a 7 x 52 box-pressed Churchill. The blend starts with same components as the original Sin Compromiso blend: a Mexican San Andrés Negro “cultivo tonto” wrapper, Ecuadorian hybrid habano binder, and fillers from Nicaragua. The biggest difference is the addition of that one Pennsylvania Seedleaf in the filler. The “Cultivo Tonto” in the wrapper leaf description is a reference to a special growing method Saka uses that was inspired by Japanese fruit farmers. They actually remove the bottom leaves of the plant so bulk of the nutrients are sent to the upper leaves. So for this particular fruit and tobacco leaf, the yield is much lower and the cost is much higher, but the flavor is unique and powerful.

Some other differences between this and the regular line of Sin Compromiso include a regular box press, while the rest of the line is soft pressed. Paladin de Saka is also aged for an extra year before being sold. The band is also a slightly darker shade of pewter in the lighter areas. Each cigar carries an MSRP of $29.75 and come in boxes of 13.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Churchill
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Negro “Cultivo Tonto”
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua, U.S.A (Pennsylvania)
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.
Blender: Steve Saka
Number of reviewers: 4 – Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Isaac M. (The Nothing) Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Price: $29.75
Age: 1 Month
Release Date: December 2021
Contributed by: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Initial Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka

Appearance: 95

“This is a phenomenal looking modern Churchill. Sporting an espresso-colored wrapper that is smooth and oily. There are many small veins from the cap all the way down to the foot. Rolled tightly with visible seam then it is box-pressed. The cap looks loosely applied but finished with a beautiful pigtail cap.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Aroma: 95

“The outside of the cigar smells of dense cocoa powder and marzipan. Turning to the foot I am greeted with soft mesquite wood and white pepper. Cutting the pigtail cap and taking a few pre-light draws there is a delightful raisin note.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This cigar started things off sweet and savory. Sweet BBQ pork came to mind. There was just a touch of pepper. As the first third progressed I picked up more of an Asian style sweet and sour pork and then things moved towards and a dryer earth flavor. The retrohale was also dry and reminded me of firewood.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“The flavors go off full tilt on this cigar the instant fire is put to the foot. Cocoa, cinnamon, raisin, and vanilla bean all mix together with a hint of floral on the finish and light black pepper on the retrohale. The strength is solidly medium and well-mannered, but the body and complexity are straight-up full! The burn is slightly wavy and the draw is as close to perfect as I have had in quite a while. What a great start to a cigar.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“As we headed into the second third the strength reared back some but the flavors transitioned into more spice than the richer flavors. I noticed a lot of nutmeg, allspice, and some slight cinnamon. The other flavors were present but not as abundant as before. This cigar definitely keeps my interest and I am really enjoying the experience so far. Burn is straight as an arrow and I’m getting quite a bit of smoke output from it.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The goodness continues into the middle part of the cigar. The cocoa, cinnamon, raisin, and vanilla bean, are joined by cardamom and black cherry. The interesting thing to me is that all of the flavors are detectable, but none of them are competing with the other. It is very well blended to send your palate into overdrive and keep you wanting more. Burn and draw have both continued to perform top-notch.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cigar didn’t develop much from the middle part, but it was still a very good experience. Leather, earth, and pepper emerged to join the previous notes on the palate in the final third. This has been an enjoyable experience from the first light and the final third, while not developing much from the previous two, did not disappoint in the least.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“I definitely wasn’t looking forward to this cigar review coming to an end. The last third picked up in strength and the coffee and leather flavors came to the forefront again. That strength kind of snuck up on me. Definitely a decadent ending to an overall great cigar. Rich bold flavors throughout.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Overall Impressions – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka

Draw: 97

“The draw was pretty much spot on.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Burn: 94

“Burned like a champ from start to finish.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Construction: 91

“With the flavor delivery, burn and draw, the construction is nothing but exceptional!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

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

“This cigar is intimidating from first inspection. It is huge! This cigar had a very enjoyable pre-light aroma and delivered fun to the palate for the entire smoking experience. It is a long burner to boot, which allows you more time to savor the profile! There have not been many cigars that I have smoked that are memorable, but this is one that will remain on my mind for a long time. I can’t wait to find out what it is and am really hoping it is not going to become instant unobtanium!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“I am struggling to find good words to say about this cigar. The construction and draw had issues that I could not recover from. These things cause the flavor profile to be erratic and inconsistent. I will try to revisit it once I know what it is cause it is a handmade product.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“For the size of the cigar, I’m surprised at how quickly this burned. I was fully expecting this thing to last well over 2 hours but it didn’t come anywhere close to that. The sour factor bitter is what ruined the cigar for me. The first third was great but after that, it just fell apart. I’m honestly happy that this cigar is a fast burner.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“Such an extraordinary cigar to start the new year off on. Bold flavors, amped up strength, flavor transitions, perfect burn, this is definitely a cigar I’d try again. Very anxious to see what this is so I can find some more. As always, thanks for the chance to try this.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 93

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka – Blind Cigar Review