Quite a few years back, I had a mentor who helped me progress in my young career. Whenever I completed a project or looked for advice on a decision, he would always ask me one question. Would you put your name on it? For me to say yes, I had to be absolutely sure that the project or decision was near perfect. Putting your name on a product is much more than just a label. It is usually associated with great work, skill or precision. But for others to associate a product and a name as great, the name has to mean something. Steve Saka in the cigar industry is one of those names you associate with good cigars. Today I’ve got the Muestra de Saka, translated in English as “Sample of Saka”. This cigar uses filler tobaccos from all four of the primary growing regions of Nicaragua: Jalapa, Condega, Ometepe, and Esteli. I’ll be smoking the Nacatamale 6×48 size. The coffee brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is nicely oiled with some visible flat veins a twist fin cap and a yellow band on the foot. The cold draw is semi-sweet chocolate, coffee and woods. Off the foot, you get a nice dose of chocolate, cedar, cream and a hint of spice. An inch in the flavors begin to harmonize, giving us a smooth rich chocolate, creamy cedar, hint of coffee and soft black pepper. The retrohale is a very pleasant spicy chocolate. In the middle portion of this cigar, the chocolate and cedar compete for the dominate flavor while almonds, pepper and a splash of coffee provide great support to this flavor profile. Into the final third, the pepper starts to build just a bit but not enough to overpower the smooth complex profile. The final puff was excellent with no bitterness or bite. The Maestro de Saka starts medium and builds medium plus to full in body. The burn is great and the draw provided plenty of smoke. This cigar was delightfully different than I expected. The profile provided a great smoking experience and the flavor was unbelievable for a cigar with such body. With the Muestra de Saka being a limited run, I’d advise you to stock up on this one. This is a great occasion smoke, any day smoke or all the time smoke. Because of the bold flavors and complex blend, the possibilities for pairings are endless. If you are looking for a sit back with your feet up and relaxing experience, look no further than the Muestra de Saka and enjoy the Goodlife…

– David Harvey

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Steve Saka is one of those names in the cigar industry where if you hear he was involved, you have to try it. It seems as whatever Saka touches turns to gold. From the days with Drew Estate to his current home at Dubarton Tobacco & Trust Company he’s put out one great hit after another. Well today, I have my hands on the Todos Las Dias. Just holding this cigar, you can feel the quality of great construction you’d expect from Mr. Saka. The outer appearance is a chocolate brown with a hint of red with a nice sheen against the contrast of a beautiful classy band. The cold draw is woody with light molasses and spice. First impressions off the foot is a slightly sweet spice with a combination of woods. Smoking further into the first third third, I get a healthy dose of Cayenne pepper, slight molasses, wood and earth tones. The retrohale is SPICY and I love it! Moving into the mid section, I am impressed with the burn and the pace this stick is smoking. Not only is the flavor profile excellent, the manor in which it is smoking creates a wonderful experience. The strength is building and the combination of flavors is wonderful. A combination of toasted cedar, blends of pepper and semi-sweet chocolate dances off the palate. The finish is just as invigorating and I find myself sunken into my chair staring up at the ceiling in pure cigar Heaven. As I head into the final stretch, the stronger pepper is pushed back to the finish and cedar, chocolate, light spice and hints of coffee roll off the palate. The Todos Los Dias was excellent all the way to the final puff. The cigar smokes a hearty full in strength. The draw, as I mentioned, was great. The burn was consistent with very little waviness and no touch ups. The Todos Las Dias is one for the ages. This is not a cigar for the novice, but it is a definite must smoke for all you Cigars for sport folks. If I had my choice, I’d smoke at least one of these a day, placing it anywhere in the rotation but first. If you are a one and done, Todos Las Dias is the only name you need to mention when you walk into the humi. So grab a box or two, plop into your favorite recliner kick your feet up and enjoy the ride. It’s gonna be a good one…

– David Harvey

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Just in case you missed it, here is what Umbagog is all about according to Steve…

“Umbagog is the name of one of the most pristine wilderness lakes in all of the United States. It is
located on the border between Coös County, New Hampshire, and Oxford County, Maine. The origin
of the word is from the Abenaki Indians meaning “shallow water” and I have been told the proper
pronunciation is to the stress the second syllable as in “um-BAY-gog”, however I prefer to say it
incorrectly as I always have as: “oom-BA-gog”. Just saying this word wrongly instantly makes me
happy of heart. It is one of my favorite places in the entire world. The sky is marked with eagles and
osprey, moose graze along her marshy shores and otters play friskily in wake. I love being on its quiet
waters casting my line for the copious and voracious monster smallmouth bass it holds.

“Oom-BA-gog” is a perfect cigar for my time upon her waters. It is robust and durable, designed to
endure the rigors of outside activity with its thick broadleaf capa and easy burning liga. This is a cigar that doesn’t pretend to be special or seek to elicit the “oohs or aahs” of the cigar snobs. It is an honest, hardworking cigar that is meant to be smoked, chewed upon and lit however many times you wish.For me, it is the perfect cigar for mowing the yard, hiking, four wheelin’ and of course, fishing!”

The Umbagog comes in the following sizes:

Corona Gorda 6.00 x 48 10ct Bundle
Robusto Plus 5.00 x 52 10ct Bundle
Toro Toro 6.00 x 52 10ct Bundle
Gordo Gordo 6.00 x 56 10ct Bundle[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][products_mixed ids=”2280,2301,2295,2298″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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