The story of Puros Sin Compromiso
Cigars Without Compromise:
“This is an expression of our ethos and states in just three simple words everything we wish to accomplish here at DTT.”
“Cigars are more than just a passion for us; they are our life. We want to create puros that pay respectful tribute to the long, vaulted history of handmade vitolas. Pay respect and honour the dedicated works of all the vaqueros, toreadors and artists who dedicate their labours to this timeless craft. Our goal, offer the connoisseur an unparalleled smoking experience.”
Our ligador and catador de puros, Steve Saka, demands the most exact standards at all times. Regarded as a cigar expert throughout the industry, he is an experienced cigar maker. Steve Saka is a prolific creator of cigars and black tobacco. A forefather within the online media segment and a dynamic tobacco industry executive.
In 2000, he worked for Lew Rothman, the former owner of JR Cigar, as an executive consultant for four years. He served as the President, and then CEO of Drew Estate from 2005 through 2013. In 2015, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by establishing the family-held Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust to craft cigars without any compromises.
SOMBREMESA BRÛLÉE
Sobremesa, “over the table”, has no exact English translation. This is because there is no cultural equality in English. It is an idiom used in Latin culture. It describes the leisure time spent tableside after dinner.
It is the experience of enjoying casual conversations with family and friends. Relaxing, drinking, smoking, and enjoying each other’s company.
Sobremesa is one of life’s simplest, yet greatest pleasures.
The Brûlée is a variation of the core Sobremesa liga but removed the Pennsylvania Seedleaf ligero. Increased with the Condega Seco and the Capa is now a top-shelf grade of Ecuador Connecticut Shade.
The result is a milder, even smoother adaptation of the Sobremesa blend. Yet it continues to keep its wonderful complex flavours and aromas.
The Sobremesa Brûlée Blue and Brûlée Wagashi are both special limited productions of the Brûlée cigar but at opposite ends of the strength spectrum. The Brûlée Blue is a touch stronger and then aged a full year. Whereas the Brûlée Wagashi is a more delicate, creamier blend with a soft touch of baking spice.
Tasting Notes
A creamy Liga with softer flavours of cedar, caramel and café, complemented by its inherent sweetness allowed to blossom on the palate and nose. A nuttiness is also prominent within this blend.
Tasting Notes
A creamy Liga with softer flavours of cedar, caramel and café, complemented by its inherent sweetness allowed to blossom on the palate and nose. A nuttiness is also prominent within this blend.
SOMBREMESA BRÛLÉE WAGASHI
OVERVIEW
VITOLA: Toro
SIZE: 6 x 50
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
FACTORY: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Connecticu
BINDER: Mexican San Andrés negro
FILLER: Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium
CONSTRUCTION
The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is almost the definition of luxurious. Smooth. While you can see veins crisscross the length of the Wagashi, you can’t feel the veins. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper has a nice sheen of oil on the box-pressed Wagashi. The pigtailed cap is expertly constructed. It’s a luxurious-looking cigar.
DRY AROMA
- Cereal
- Vanilla
- Cherries
- Fruit Hints
- Sweet Spice
- Caramel Chocolate
Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi Dry Draw
The cigar has a very intense release with the first dry draw. Strong deep tobacco tastes. There is a deep intense tobacco taste which was not expected following the caramel and mild scents from the dry aroma.
- Vanilla
- Fruit Hints
- Caramel
- Fruit Sweetness
First Puff
As the initial flavours calm down, the Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi gives up notes of sweet cream, toast, baking spices, and honey. There is pepper on the retrohale. You might pick up light notes of citrus in the background. I would say a hint of fruit sweetness. I was expecting the Wagashi, but it wasn’t this.
This cigar is a full-flavoured cigar. The ash is grey with streaks of black and compact. The burn line is straight with thick ash. The fruit notes come through, cutting through the pepper and spices. This cigar evolves into a creamy caramel-flavoured cigar.
Salted…something now joins the party. There are definite hints of salted caramel. It’s almost like a salted cereal. The salty and sweet notes make the blend come alive. Spice, cream, caramel, chocolate and fruit sweetness all melt together.
Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi coffee pairing
Americano coffee, black but mild, with a touch of sugar.
At first light, the cigar has nutty flavours paired with salted caramel.
I can taste a blend of caramel chocolate taking a puff and a sip of coffee.
The tobacco releases hints of sweetness, but subtle with a balanced complexion between caramel, chocolate and fruit hints.
Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi Old port pairing
On the nose, the old port has sherry notes. Once port ages it becomes a bit like sherry. So the nose on the port offers hints of sour cherries with a lot of sweetness.
There is a blend of vanilla, and nuts with a light salty aftertaste but the the sherry pops in the sweetness to form a wonderful blend between the cigar and port.
The flavours this pairing offers are sweets, nuts, vanilla and subtle hints of floral scents and Turkish delight tastes.
Wrapping Up
This cigar is incredibly smooth with perfect construction. The cigar is smooth but has a body with a light density. The draw is light and firm with ample flavour on each puff.
It is a dense cigar yet light. The flavours stay consistent throughout the entire smoke although the cigar does become more bold in strength toward the finish.
Burn Experience
The burn is consistent throughout the entire cigar.
The final third of the Wagashi – The flavours ramp up.
Coffee, chocolate, cinnamon, campfire, salted nuts, and cereal. Again, there is a light fruity sweetness. Gone are the notes of cream and honey. The fruity sweetness comes and goes, playing hide-and-seek with my palate. Coffee, spices, and caramel with cereal notes. Hints of sweetness and citrus now. The smoke is still creamy. The burn line is perfect.
The final third, like much of the Wagashi, is not subtle. The complex flavours demand your attention. You are rewarded for your efforts with hints of chocolate, caramel chocolate cream, and fruit sweetness.
Rating & Final Thoughts on Flavour Progression
The Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi’s flavours start strong, become less strong in the middle, and end with big bold flavours.
Spice wood, caramel cream, black pepper and nuts flow through the majority of the Wagashi. When salted nuts, fruit, and honey find their way into the Wagashi blend the cigar finish becomes something special.
Wow, what a cigar.
DerekNell
From a “newbie perspective, thoroughly enjoyed the Brûlée Wagashi, tasty and easy to pair a dram with.
Certainly found one of my “goto puros” on this new journey