Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT) has begun shipping its highly anticipated StillWell Star handcrafted luxury pipe tobacco cigar to its Purveyors.
The initial release includes four unique expressions, each representing a particular pipe tobacco genre custom blended by the famed head blender, Jeremy Reeves, of the legendary American pipe tobacco maker Cornell & Diehl. Steve Saka then went ahead and crafted four different independent cigar blends to best showcase each of these pipe tobacco styles to cigar smokers.
“Sometimes the stars just align.” states Saka. “Although handmade cigars are my first passion, I have also been a pipe smoker for over three decades. During an impromptu discussion with Jeremy as he was sharing with me that really enjoyed my cigars, I replied in kind that I was a big fan of his pipe tobaccos. I think he was surprised when I just started rattling off some of my favorites and why. And then it really caught his interest when I told him that for decades I had been using some of my favorite C&D tobaccos added into cigars just for my own enjoyment.”
Saka continues, “He expressed an interest in trying them and it was at that moment the basic concept for StillWell Star was born – to see if it was possible to do what I was doing privately to scale. Honestly, this was one of the most extensive and difficult blending processes I have ever engaged in – it involved sampling hundreds of existing pipe blends, then a myriad of custom pipe blends crafted solely for this project and ultimately hundreds of variations of cigars to get them just right. For me the goal was to make a cigar that delivered a truly different experience to the cigar smoker, but also stayed true to the style of pipe tobacco each featured. Although these are cigars first and not a pipe replacement, I wanted the seasoned pipe smoker to be able to spark up a Bayou No. 32 and instantly recognize the citrus zest and unique umami aromas and tastes of a classic “vaper” pipe blend that they would enjoy in a bowl.”
“While there have be pipe tobacco cigars offered in the marketplace in the past, they have typically been of subpar quality in both their tobaccos and construction. They also tend to be uber sweet and syrupy on the palate. I don’t smoke that, I don’t make, I don’t want that. The StillWell Star’s puros are crafted for balance and nuance with the absolute best pipe and cigar tobaccos available with meticulous attention paid to their leaf, their blends and their crafting. It truly is the world’s first Luxury pipe cigar and I am genuinely excited for my fellow cigar smokers to enjoy this new experience,” states Saka.
StillWell Star is offered in 4 unique, classic pipe blends:
Aromatic No. 1: The finest of aromatic Black Cavendish, Golden Virginia and Burley pipe tobaccos added to a mild, Nicaraguan puro to provide a delightfully smooth and room pleasing smoking experience. Each cigar is delicately finished with a cabeza dulce. Strength: Mild-Medium
English No. 27: A quintessential mix of Burley and Turkish leaf with a generous portion of Cypriot Latakia pressed cake paired with Nicaraguan cigar tobaccos. Rich and decadent, this is a Latakia-Lover’s puro worthy of being smoked in an English Manor House. Strength: Medium-Full
Bayou No. 32: A combination of Bright and Red Virginia leaf with the most select St. James Parish Perique pipe tobacco added to a medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro. It rewards the smoker with a classic yet entrancing, any time of the day relaxing experience with a spicy finish. Strength: Medium Plus
Navy No. 1056: A crumble cake of stoved Red and Golden Virginias with a touch of “Naval Rations” combined with Orientals and Latakia expertly blended with dark air-cured black cigar leaf, this puro rewards the smoker with a unique, aromatic indulgence. Strength: Medium
Crafted at Joya de Nicaragua, S. A., the StillWell Star has intentionally been released in just a single 6 x 52 parejo format as DTT wants the smoker to focus on their flavors and room notes, not their size. Packed in 13ct boxes that contain an integrated shelf talker describing the unique pipe tobaccos in each, the cigars retail for $15.30 MSRP each.
Initial availability of these cigars will be limited due to pre-release demand.
About Cornell & Diehl
Since 1990, Cornell & Diehl has provided enthusiasts with some of the finest, handcrafted, boutique pipe tobacco on the market. Prioritizing quality over quantity, the blending house uses only a select few grades of tobacco, specially sourced for their inherent qualities, and focuses production to small, limited runs to ensure the quality of each batch. In addition to C&D’s core lines, the manufacturer also produces all the pipe tobacco blends for the celebrated G.L. Pease brand, as well as those for BriarWorks, Two Friends, Drucquer & Sons, and many others. Located in Longs, SC, Cornell & Diehl operates out of a 30,000 sq ft facility, using traditional machinery and only the finest ingredients available.
Notice: Cornell & Diehl is the supplier of the pipe leaf required, but is not receiving any additional royalties from the sale of StillWell Star. Their participation in this first-of-its-kind project is entirely out of their own passion and commitment to creating unparalleled smoking experiences.
About Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, LLC
Founded in 2015, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT) has quickly become the premier craft manufacturer of ultra- premium handmade cigars. Founded by cigar and industry expert Steve Saka, a former Executive Consultant to JR Cigar and President and CEO of Drew Estate, with the singular focus to create only “Puros Sin Compromiso” – Cigars Without Compromise. Included within their portfolio are Sobremesa, Mi Querida, Todos Las Dias, Sin Compromiso, Umbagog and Muestra de Saka. DTT is the only company ever to be named the “Company of the Year” for four consecutive years by Halfwheel. For more information, please visit: www.dunbartoncigars.com.
