#23 2023 Cigar of the Year

#23 2023 Cigar of the Year: Muestra De Saka – The Bewitched by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

SPECIFICATIONS

Wrapper: Grade A1 Ecuador Habano
Binder: Cultivo Tonto San Andres Negro
Filler: Nicaraguan, U.S.
County of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.
Bewitched: 6 5/8 x 48 (Prensado)
Price: $19.75

Sponsor: Yes
Samples Provided for Initial Review: Yes
Review: Muestra de Saka – The Bewitched by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (4/10/23)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 9 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

The Details

The #23 2023 Cigar of the Year is Muestra De Saka – The Bewitched by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. In 2022, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust The Bewitched made its national debut, becoming the sixth installment of the Muestra de Saka brand. Owner and master ligador Steve Saka has described the Muestra de Saka line as a limited production line of unique blends that reflect his blending machinations. The story of the Bewitched goes back to 2021, when the company released a special limited edition cigar to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Owl Shop of Worcester. Following that release, a decision was made with the blessing of the Owl Shop to release the same cigar as an ongoing release under the Muestra de Saka portfolio.

The blend for the Bewitched cigar consists of a Grade 1 Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over DTT’s exclusive Cultivo Tonto San Andres Negro binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and U.S.-grown fillers. Bewitched is a  6 5/8 x 48 Prensado with each cigar packaged in an individual coffin. This is the same blend and size made for the Owl Shop.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka - The Bewitched

The Bewitched delivered notes of coffee, earth, lemon rind, natural tobacco, cedar, nut, and pepper. Keeping to what is developing into a pattern on this year’s Countdown, the flavors are medium-bodied, countered by medium strength.

For Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust, this is the ninth appearance on the Countdown – and those are consecutive. The company has made the list every year since its inception in 2015. This is the third Nicaraguan-made cigar to make the 2023 Countdown thus far.

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