Muestra de Saka Krakatoa

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Length: 6 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 48
• Vitola: Corona Gorda
• MSRP: $20.75 (Box of 7, $145.26)
• Release Date: September 2023
• Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
• Original Score: 92

While most cigars that share a packaging design tend to be made from the same blend, there are a few exceptions to that rule, with one of the most notable being the Muestra de Saka Series from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. The name of the line, which translates as sample of Saka, was developed to give fans of the company the opportunity to experience a variety of blends, vitolas, and factories that Steve Saka said “reflect the blending machinations of myself.”

What that means is that each of the releases has been distinct from one another, though I think it would be fair to say they tend to lean in a certain direction of flavor profiles and strength. The most recent release, Krakatoa, which is named for a volcano in Indonesia that erupted in 1883 and killed over 35,000 people. The name of such a volcano appearing on a cigar might convey an overpowering explosion of flavor and strength, but the Muestra de Saka Krakatoa proved to have much more finesse and balance to it.

Several panel members praised how well the cigar started, hitting the ground running and setting the stage for “a flavor bomb” as one reviewer put it. While there is both spice and pepper, neither dominates the blend, instead meshing with both savory and sweet flavors. Balance and complexity were also consistently praised, while I noted that I didn’t find a single moment of harshness from start to finish of the cigar. If anything, my biggest complaint was that the retrohales and some puffs offered a bit too much flavor, equating to a great song being played too loudly to truly enjoy.

Krakatoa is a beautifully executed cigar that joins some of Dunbarton’s highest-rated creations to date and easily holds its own in the unique Muestra de Saka Series. — Patrick Lagreid.