INTRODUCTION

Sobremesa was Steve Saka’s start under Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust. While there is no exact English translation, its meaning is loosely translated to “over the table” which describes leisurely time spent at a dining table after eating. The Sobremesa Brûlée was later introduced to add Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper to Saka’s growing line up. While the Sobremesa was a well received cigar, many consumers are scared to reach for a dark wrapped cigar. Thus, the brûlée was added to bridge the gap. The “Wagashi” is a modified version of the Sobremesa Brûlée which is named after a Japanese dessert pastry which rose in popularity during the Edo Period. Particularly, this dessert was only enjoyed by the Japanese upper class.  

UNDER THE LID

The Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi has a beautiful silky claro wrapper that has a golden shine in the light. The wrapper has tight and visible seams. The soft green undertone of the bands does give me a dessert pastry like impression. Each cigar smoked for review had an even consistent pack with no spots of concern. The wrapper aroma is a delicate cedar, walnut, and earth. The foot adds citrus and cereal. The cold draw is very mild, with a touch of sweetness along the lips, leather, and cedar. 

• Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade
• Binder: San Andreas Negro
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Vitola: 6.00 x 50 box pressed toro
• Factory: Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.
• Released: April, 2024
• Box Quantity: Regular production
• MSRP: $17.95 ($233.35 13 ct box)

PERFORMANCE NOTES

FIRST THIRD

The Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi starts with a creamy smoke filling the palate with a roasted almond, bread crust, and clove. There is a slight sweetness present on the lips that develops the clove to be more of a sweet floral. However, the sweetness is very mild and not present on each puff. The retrohale has a mixed spice of coriander and nutmeg which warms the palate and brings out a creamy almond espresso. During the finish a mint and lavender develop with a subtle sweetness lingering towards the throat while the espresso and almond stay center palate. The construction on all three samples so far have no concern. The smoke production is plentiful and the burn line is razor sharp. The body and strength are mild + to medium. Overall, the first third is very welcoming to the expectations you’d have for a Connecticut shade, but adds complexities with the spice in a manner you would not typically experience.  

SECOND THIRD

The second third of the Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi starts with a dryer mouth feel allowing the toasted almond to increase in body. There is a mild citrus that melds with mint along my palate. The espresso still sits towards my throat but is now met with leather and earth. The retrohale has changed drastically with the Nicaraguan and Mexican tobacco breaking through the creaminess of the wrapper presenting darker notes of black pepper, leather, pine, and American oak since it has a slight vanilla sweetness. A creamy expresso remains prominent through the finish with clove, leather and a slight bitter orange peel. The body and strength has ticked to a true medium while still maintaining its smoke production and even burn. 

FINAL THIRD

The final third of the Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi starts where the second left off with more refinement to the spice on the retrohale which molds all of the late developments together. The final third allows the smoker to fully enjoy everything the cigar has to offer. After a blast of a sweet spice on the retrohale, a creamy espresso and cinnamon take dominance with tones of hickory, leather, earth, and pine on the finish. All three samples performed wonderfully with an ending of a true medium body and strength cigar. 

Core Flavors: 

Strength: Mild to medium

Body: Mild to medium

Complexity: Medium +

Smokin Experience

The Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi is a well constructed complex cigar that will provide a new experience to consumers who enjoy the Sobremesa Brûlée, but want a different expression of its characters. The butter press toro vitola allows more of the darker notes of the blend to come alive, while still being very approachable to your shade smokers. 

Purchase recommendation: Five Pack

Smokin Facts

• Contrary to popular belief, the Sobremesa Brûlée Wagashi is not an addition to the popular Blue. Rather, it is a modification for the regular Brûlée smokers.
• I enjoyed the year Saka had in 2023 releasing so many new cigars however, I like how this year was toned back with cigars being introduced as modifications of existing lines where consumers can get a new experience from already successful blends on the market.
• Fans of Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust should stay tuned to the Smokin Tabacco podcast. We have some fun engaging events scheduled with Saka. 

Smokin Wrap

Cigars Smoked for the Review: Three

Average smoking time: 2 hours and 18 minutes

SCORE: 89

Pat Chamberlain

Cigar Reviews & Show Co-Host