Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust – Sobremesa Short Churchill

Last week, the family and I traveled from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to El Paso, Texas to escape the cold weather that was about to set in. But you can only run from the cold for so long. After a week of being in the 60’s, the temps have dropped here in Texas, but that won’t hold me back from lighting up a Sobremesa Short Churchill by Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust.

Produced at Joya De Nicaragua S.A. factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Short Churchill joined the Sobremesa line up this past summer. The Short Churchill is one of the smaller vilotas in the bunch, but ramped up in the strength department. According to DTT’s website, Sobremesa frontmarks include: Corona Grande (5 1/4 by 44), Cervantes Fino (6 1/4 by 46), Robusto Largo (5 1/4 by 52), El Americano (6 by 52), Torpedo Tiempo (6 by 54), Gran Imperiales (7 by 54), Diademas DeLuxe (6 1/4 by 60), Short Churchill (4 3/4 by 48), Short Torpedo (4 3/4 by 54), and Elegante en Cendos (7 by 50). To provide a more approachable price-point on box purchases, the Short Churchill is available in 14 count boxes with a per stick price of $9.95.

You can find Tony’s review of the Sobremesa Cervantes Fino HERE.

THE FACTS

Price: $9.95
Vitola: Short Churchill
Size: 4 3/4 by 48
Wrapper: La Meca Ecuador Habano #1 Rosado
Binder: Matacapan Negro de Temporal
Filler: Nicaraguan Gk Condega C-SG Seco, Nicaraguan Pueblo Nuevo Criollo Viso, Nicaraguan La Joya Esteli C-98 Viso, Nicaraguan ASP Esteli Hybrid Ligero, USA Lancaster County Broadleaf Ligero
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Dubarton Tobacco and Trust Sobremesa Short Churchill fashions an extremely dark brown, nearly oscuro Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper. Tons of oils are easily seen on the rather smooth leaf that has only one prominent vein running the length of the cigar. The cigar is evenly and firmly filled. To the touch, the cigar has a velvety feel.

The wrapper aroma is a combo of barnyard and chocolate, while honey, pecans, and earth come across on the foot of the cigar. Once clipped, an easy draw shows off some cedar, honey and potpourri spices

FIRST THIRD

Steve Saka’s Sobremesa begins much less aggressively than one might expect knowing the man behind the blend, as well as the manufacturer. The opening profile is on the low-side of medium showing off some cedar, cooking spices, and a medium pepper spice. The finish is of black pepper and pencil shavings. A light gray ash is forming as the cigar burns right in-line. Just short of an inch, a sweetness jumps in, possibly honey-like.

MIDDLE THIRD

Transitioning into the second third of the Sobremesa, there is a mixture of cedar, yeast or bread-like, and pepper. A saltiness moves in, along with an earthy flavor. The flavors have moved right into the medium realm. The pepper is accentuated as I retro-hale the smoke. That honey pecan flavor that came across on the foot aroma is making an appearance.

FINAL THIRD

The Sobremesa is hitting on all cylinders as I make my way into the last third of the cigar. The cigar has developed in richness as flavors of warm cedar, honey, pecan and pepper move across my palate. The flavors are well balanced and, while still in the medium range, they are most certainly at the high-end.

WRAP-UP

This gorgeous cigar known as the Sobremesa Short Churchill by Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust is down right good. No, the profile isn’t big, bold, and in your face. But it is refined and balanced throughout, delivering flavors and strength in the medium range. In typical Joya De Nicaragua fashion, the Sobremesa burned straight, showcased an easy draw, and produced a brilliant white ash. It is a departure from what I would typically reach for, but one I am already looking forward to sparking up again.