Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan Broadleaf, Criollo, Corojo
Vitola: 6 x 48
Strength: Medium+
Purchase Link: Dunbarton Muestra de Saka Krakatoa
MUESTRA DE SAKA KRAKATOA REVIEW – DOM
Summary: This cigar is ready for picture day: no bumps, no blemishes. A few puffs in, I’m told to stop worrying and learn to love the pepper bomb. Trying to taste past the explosion, I find an awesome Nestle Drumstick note.
Halfway down, cedar and tootsie roll are mostly eclipsed by the black pepper heart. Buttered popcorn reveals this cigar’s fun side amidst the spice. I’d like to revisit this with some age on it to see if the pepper mellows out a touch.
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Pairing Suggestion: American Single Malt
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
MUESTRA DE SAKA KRAKATOA REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar started off quite spicy, though the spice dropped off quickly. It also brought notes of oak, cherry, cereal grain, brown sugar, and umami. It left my mouth oddly dry. Overall, I enjoyed the flavor profile but didn't find it to be anything worth writing home about.
Construction was right on. No issues to speak of throughout the cigar.
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Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
MUESTRA DE SAKA KRAKATOA REVIEW – BEN
Summary: Black tea leaves with a salty and earthy profile was smooth and lasted well into the second third. A delightful floral and butterscotch sweetness follows. You know, the candy at the bottom of your favorite church lady's purse: sticky and warm.
This has a perfect draw. Smokes like a cigar you could smoke any and everywhere; it's not a complicated pastime.
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Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon Mule
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
MUESTRA DE SAKA KRAKATOA REVIEW – TED
Summary: The first section of this cigar offered notes of citrus, raisin, dark cocoa, dark, wet earth, and pepper spice. The flavors were all smooth and rich. It produced a decent amount of smoke and had a nice retro hale profile carrying a touch more pepper.
Midway through, I was tasting a profile comprised of wood notes, mixed nuts, earth, grilled meat, raisin, baking spice, and mild pepper spice. It maintained good smoke output and had a relatively solid ash.
Towards the end things simplified a bit in the profile. Black coffee, wood, leather, mineral notes, and pepper spice were the main players. The retro hale became a bit sharper in the sinus but was still good.
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Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon aged stout
Perceived Strength: Medium+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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