I clearly remember meeting Steve Saka for the first time at CATS Fest in San Antonio a month or so before he officially announced the creation of his new company Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. The last night of the cigar festival, Saka handed me an unbanded cigar from his shirt pocket but flatly refused to divulge anything about it or what his next moves would be as he was still in the final stretch of a two-year non-compete clause after his exit from Drew Estate.
Ten years is a long time. And, at the same time, ten years can fly right by…
Over the following decade, DTT has achieved an impressive level of success that has no doubt been aided by Saka’s numerous appearances on the TNCC podcast (2015 interview HERE, 2022 interview HERE). But seriously, if you’re reading this you no doubt know who Steve Saka is and what his company is all about. Here’s an excerpt of what the man himself has to say about tonight’s anniversary offering:
“Our milestone anniversary undoubtably deserves a celebratory smoke! Obviously, it must be something special, in fact when you think of Anniversary cigars, they are normally a large format, typically in a unique figurado vitola, with a fancy band, packed in an over-the-top flashy cabinet and almost always, the most expensive cigar the company makes. Hmmm, we haven’t become the ‘hottest’ doing what is the industry norm, so why would I start now? In fact, I decided to return the conception of our first cigar, the Sobremesa. Everyone expected DTT to debut with a heavy broadleaf cigar; it was what I was known for, but I decided instead of crafting an alternative to that liga, to create something totally different, something fresh with all new ingredients, something that no one had ever seen from me: a complex, balanced, nuanced style of liga. So, it is with a grateful and happy heart, I introduce to you the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust 10th Jubilee.”
THE CIGAR – 10th JUBILEE by DUNBARTON TOBACCO & TRUST
Size: 5 5/8 x 48
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua (Estelí, Jalapa, Ometepe, & Condega)
Price: $18.95 (click the Famous Smoke Shop banner on this page to save right now on the 10th Jubilee!)
The 10th Jubilee feels surprisingly light in the hand although it’s firmly rolled with very little give. There is a slight oiliness to the wrapper leaf. Aromas of sweet raisins and hickory are detected when sniffing the foot of the cigar directly. The overall presentation of both the primary and secondary bands is simple and somewhat understated yet classy all the way.
After a quick punch of the cap (the pigtail broke off as I was sliding the cigar from its cello sleeve), the 10th Jubilee’s cold draw is slightly woodsy with a floral component as well. A damn-near-gentle white pepper spice presents itself immediately through the nose. It’s one of the most unaggressive pepper notes I’ve experienced in quite some time. Downstairs, the draw opens up with medium roast coffee backed by a secondary oak note. Smoke production is copious.
A graphite note has begun to develop under the white pepper via the retrohale. The 10th Jubilee’s draw is still coffee-forward but a pastry flavor has begun to arise that’s reminiscent of a classic cake donut. I don’t set out on taking impressive ash photos while reviewing a cigar but it’s easy to resist the urge to thump when it looks this damn pretty.
Less than one minute after snapping the above pic, the ash fell on my lap. That’s on me though, and if you’d think that I would have learned by now after all these years that’s on you.
The 10th Jubilee’s overall construction has been outstanding thus far with a super smooth draw and straight burn line. As the second half progresses, a muted floral note has joined the graphite underneath the retro’s consistent (but still highly agreeable) pepper presence. These 3 distinct notes are all working very harmoniously together so don’t neglect blowing some smoke out of your nose. And speaking of new arrivals, a hazelnut flavor is now present through the draw and it introduces a very slight, natural sweetness to the party.
I know what you’re thinking, I’m tempting fate with that long ash yet again. I thought that we established I’m not interested in learning anything today… sheesh. The 10th Jubilee’s final act is the true highlight of the smoking experience because all flavors are now present and working incredibly well together. The profiles of the retrohale and draw are inarguably vastly different from one another but they coexist amicably and both deliver flavors with detailed precision. The cigar, pleasantly, doesn’t grow too hot as we reach the nub so I puff away until there’s nothing left.
THE NUB
TNCC Final Score = 93
I can’t think of a single other Dunbarton release over the last ten years that resembles the 10th Jubilee in the slightest. And I suppose that’s the point. To celebrate his company’s milestone Steve Saka has crafted a balanced, complex, highly approachable cigar that is enjoyable from start to finish. I’m already looking forward to the 20th Jubilee! My kids will be out of the house by then so I should be able to afford a box.
* Total Smoking Duration: 68 minutes, just missed the magic number…
