Summer of '20 Spotlight: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it didn’t sound like Steve Saka and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust was going to do a major release for 2020 – and that holds true this summer. The focus on DTT’s releases wasn’t around a new brand or new line, but rather rounding out some areas of the portfolio.

Sobremesa Brûlée Extensions

There are two line extensions to the Sobremesa Brûlée. Sobremesa Brûlée was introduced in 2019 as a milder “your father’s Connecticut Shade” cigar. First up is the Sobremesa Brûlée Blue, a 6 1/4 x 46 vitola that is a tweaked version of the original Sobremesa Brûlée. Saka said the Sobremesa Brûlée Blue has more richness and depth. Sobremesa Brûlée Blue is a limited production cigar priced at $14.95. It will be available in 13-count boxes. The initial allocation is 1,000 boxes for this summer. Saka has said the 1,000 boxes have a year of age on them. Further releases will slowly follow as the other Sobremesa Brûlée Blues reach the one year age mark.

In addition, Sobremesa Brûlée introduced a big 7 x 54 Double Corona. This is a cigar that was created based on consumer feedback for those looking for a “golfing cigar” (longer, bigger smoke). The Double Corona is available in 13-count boxes – each priced at $13.95 per cigar.

In response to the controversy on whether Sobremesa Brûlée is sweetened or not, Saka is releasing a five-count sampler of the 6 x 52 of the Sobremesa Brûlée. This will contain a least one unsweetened tip version of the Sobremesa Brûlée as well as a single sweetened tip Sobremesa Brûlée as well as a double sweetened tip version of the Sobremesa Brûlée. The samplers will each contain one cigar with the letters “S”, “T”, “F”, “U”, and the “!!!” Saka isn’t revealing what letters correlate to the version of the Sobremesa Brûlée cigar, but had plans to do so on September 15th, 2020 via Facebook live (although Saka has said this will most likely be delayed to give retailers and customers a chance to go through the kits). This will allow consumers to decide for themselves which cigars contain the sweetened and unsweetened tips. Pricing for the five-pack is $59.99.

Mi Querida Triqui Traca

Mi Querida Triqui Traca is an off-shoot of the original Triqui Traca line that was introduced. The genesis of this line goes back to the Mi Querida Firecracker project that Saka did for New Hampshire-based retailer Two Guys Smoke Shop in 2018. The Mi Querida Firecracker is a 3 1/2 x 50 size featuring a long fuse much like a Firecracker. For that project, Saka used an alternative blend that was stronger than the original Firecracker. With Mi Querida Trique Traca, Saka worked with that alternate blend and originally released it in two sizes (with the Firecracker remaining exclusive to Two Guys Smoke Shop).

Muestra de Saka Unstolen Valor

Earlier this year, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust released Muestra de Saka Unstolen Valor. The Unstolen Valor is the fifth installment of the Muestra de Saka series. Muestra de Saka is described by Saka as “A line of unique blends and vitolas made in extremely limited quantities that reflect the blending machinations of myself.” Saka has said this line is meant to challenge himself as a blender. Unstolen Valor is a little different in that Saka’s factory manager Raul Disla at Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A. (NACSA) blended this cigar. Disla oversees production for Mi Querida, Triqui Traca, and Umbagog.

The cigar itself is a 6 x 52 Toro packaged in coffins. While the cigar was released earlier this year, Saka said a second shipment is forthcoming to retailers.

Muestra de Saka Unicorn

Saka also said the 2019 production of his ultra-premium Muestra de Saka Unicorn will be shipping this fall. There is a production of 1,000 Unicorns available, but Saka has said he is back ordered by 7,000 on the cigars.

————–

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust owner, Steve Saka appeared on Prime Time’s Virtual Trade Show 2020 to discuss his companies 2020 releases.