I have finally arrived at what is usually the number one or number two trafficked brand on our site and on our video and audio platforms. Anything to do with Steve Saka is always a big deal for us because it is a big deal for his customers and his fans, but he has earned that after rears in the business making some of the best cigars our there. While Steve isn’t working with the power he had at Drew Estate in terms of resources, he makes the most of whatever he has at his disposal and that is one of the things that makes him one of the best.
The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust booth is on elf the hardest booths to get into year after year. I don’t think there is ever a moment there is less than twenty people in this booth. Steve is beginning to give Carlito Fuente a run for his money with the Willy Wonka factor, not quite I know he has quite a ways to go – but seriously there aren’t that many other figures in the business who churn out the number of annual releases and/or the response from the crowd. His booth was bigger this year, although not much else has changed which I enjoy. He also wasn’t at the standard couch in the corner as he seemed to have finally upgraded and got a desk to meet with people a little more direct. It was slightly more intimidating. I felt like I had entered the principles office yet again back in high school.
There are many items that need to be covered here and with most our coverage I will keep it short and sweet because if not, you’ll be ready this article at Christmas.
Deep Cuts Sampler
The first item on the list is the new Deep Cuts Sampler. We had already reported on the Sin Compromiso Word of Saka cigar that Saka had said was going to be part of a sampler. We now know that sampler will feature cigars of different sizes but is a set of cigars that Steve Saka himself smokes regularly – in other words, if you want to know what cigars are Steve’s favorite – here you go. The Deep Cuts sampler is an eleven count box that will be limited in production. The sampler has an MSRP of $225.00 per box and is expected in August. For now, it will be the only place to get the new Word of Saka but Steve did say smokers can expect it in the future.
On the back of the box, Saka placed a little write up to give you some more insight into this product.
Essentials Sampler
It will be a collection of seven cigars, all measuring 6″ x 52. DTT says this will be a collection of seven toros that represent each of their core line blends. This will be a regular production and will have an MSRP of $115.00 per box. In the press release, Steve said shipping is expected around August 2025. Like the Deep Cuts sampler, Steve provided some literature on the back of the box.
Umbagog Bronzeback Robusto
After the debut of Bronzeback last year at PCA 2024, DTT is set to release the Umbagog Bronzeback Robusto, a 5″ x 52 version that will also come in a ten count bundle and is set for regular production. Steve said he underestimated the popularity of Bronzeback last year although…I don’t believe that, Steve knows what he’s got. Nevertheless, he brought more Bronzeback to the show this year in a new size. The MSRP is $10.75 per cigar, although the bundle itself is $107.50. Bronzeback robusto is manufactured at Nicaraguan America Cigars, S.A and will ship to store in May.
Mi Querida Gorilla Gordo
Mi Querida will see an addition to it’s lineup as well. The new Gorilla Gordo size is a 6 x 60 parejo regular production that Steve says is a “big, beautiful and rich broadleaf 6 x 60 flavor monster with a 109-style bullet head.” In our video interview below, Steve gave a different example of why he did the bullet head but I wont write it here and I will let you watch that to find out for yourself. Gorilla Gordo has an MSRP of $14.95 per cigar and $299.00 per box. These will be manufactured at Nicaraguan America Cigars, S.A. and will hit retailers in August.
Red Meat Lovers Club Fritanga
Red Meat Lovers Club is also getting an addition with the “Fritanga” – a 6″ x 52 prensado regular production release packaged in ten-count boxes. These will have an MSRP of $16.25 per cigar and a box price of $162.50. The Fritanga is manufactured at Nicaraguan America Cigars, S.A.and will ship June. Steve says that the Fritanga is a “beefier, more spicy iteration of their Red Meat Lovers liga.”
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust 10th Jubilee
Perhaps one of the most interesting and maybe most anticipated releases from DTT is the 10th Jubilee – a celebration of the company’s tenth anniversary in business. 10th jubilee will be a 5.63 x 48, a completely new blend and what Steve calls “a ground up recipe featuring our very first national release of an Ecuador Sumatran capa.” Saka did previously use this wrapper on the Cigar Association of New Hampshire exclusive “Fiddlehead” but it was only for New Hampshire retailers. He did say what wen ton the Fiddlehead was a result of color sorting the wrappers and the ones he didn’t want for the 10th Jubilee went to the Fiddlehead and that it was all from the same crop purchase.
10th Jubilee will be packaged in boxes of thirteen cigars and have an MSRP of $18.95 per cigar. This will be a limited production and it is expected, like most of their releases, to sell out fast. 10th Jubilee is manufactured at Nicaraguan America Cigars, S.A. and will ship in October.
Year of the Duque
Steve has been getting requests to participate in the Chinese New Year releases that have become a staple in the industry. While he doesn’t bash the companies that do it, he said he just felt it wasn’t the thing for him to do with his brand, however, he did come up with a concept that is up that alley but unique to the Dunbarton collection of cigars.
Steve says that he decided to honor his friend Chris Duque, who many may know from the cigar community. He is a native of Hawaii and has volunteered to help DTT at their tradeshows and events over the years. Saka clarifies he isn’t an official employee on payroll, he is just a guy with a lot of love for the game. According to Steve, “Plus he genuinely represents the very best amongst us in the cigar community – he is a selfless, generous and genuine friend to all who are blessed to know him.”
As for the cigar itself, Steve promises no one else has been involved in the process and he has worked this blend alone. However, when blending the cigar and deciding on the vitola, Steve says he very purposely kept what Chris likes in mind. This is a robust blend that will be presented in a 5 x 48 parejo format. Steve added it delivers a nice hearty pop of flavor, and he believes it will age out beautifully over time. It will be made at Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A. There will be a total production of 2,000 boxes of fourteen cigars made. This is going to be an annual release that honors someone different with a different cigar each year. These have already shipped to retail stores.
Other Releases
There will be another Still Well Star Holiday release (Y2025) that Steve says will be the first Still Well in a different format, a 5 x 48. These are currently schedule to ship to retail stores in November.
Steve also mentioned that they would be doing an archive release on the Todos las Dias Double Wide that will ship in January. Not much else was shared on this.
Check out our interview with Steve Saka from PCA 2025 below:
