Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Broadleaf No. 1 Darks
Binder: Mexican San Andrés Negro
Filler: Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan
Size: 7.25 x 54 Double Corona
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $18.45
My sticks have been lying about in their skivvies for 4 months.
BACKGROUND:
From Steve Saka:
“Black” is the third iteration of this style of blend within our Mi Querida family of puros. It retains the soul of our two other ligas within the line, however with the addition of a very select grade of Honduran grown Habano Seed tripa incorporated into the blend. Only the finest materials are utilized from the exhaustively “creamed” tripas, to the very best grade of dark Connecticut-grown Broadleaf capas with acute attention paid to their craftsmanship. Robust, rich, and decadently satisfying, the Limited Production Mi Querida Black is the apex of broadleaf cigars.
“Mi Querida Black is handcrafted at NACSA cigar factory under the stewardship of their Master Cigarmaker at my direction. Packed in an elegant box that expresses from the outside the richness of the blend inside. As always, the pace of its production is being dictated by the tobaccos themselves and therefore it will be limited in its availability via Select Purveyors for the foreseeable future.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
I’ve looked forward to this review. Here I go smoking a giant and very potent log of tobacco on my typical empty stomach to taste every morsel of goodness a cigar blend can deliver. I have first responders in the room with me and the police have cordoned off the area. I’m good to go.
The room is filled with aromas of floral and chocolate. The cigar had me at floral.
The cold draw is as spicy/sweet as Sichuan tomato sauce. Peppers are boundless. Dark chocolate leans to the left with cinnamon tinged Mexican Mole sauce. Slight notes of raisins and caramel.
The draw is a bit tight. This is a big honkin’ cigar. Heating my PerfecDraw to 160C° prior to insertion will melt the tobacco into a cannabis-like state with a thc level of 32%. DEA Rule #9-R/420 strictly prohibits this so I just roll a joint from the 5-finger lid I bought in 1967. SakaKohn was rolled perfectly so this whole michegos has been moot…and hence, another shameless plug has landed successfully.
The cigar begins with the proverbial big bang. My palate is awash with elements across the flavor wheel spectrum: Black pepper, espresso, dark chocolate, baking spices, creamy marmot nodes, raw almonds, tangy orange zest, and toasted caramel.
Complexity swings its hammer down upon the proverbial brain anvil with a clang heard around Milwaukee.
Fat chewy notes assault the beach without cover. Strength is an immediate medium/full.
The balance of savory v. sweet begins its rite of passage with a nice representation of both parties. Savory comes from notes of charred meat, smoked paprika, buttered popcorn, and strong oak. The sweetie pie elements are a consensus of chocolate covered almonds, raisins, sweet cream, brioche, lemon custard, and cherries jubilee.
Exceptionally nice.
Construction is immaculate. The char line has a perfect gig line.
Transitions begin. Each puff brings something new to this aging palate. Large doses of minutiae and trifles speed past at a sprint close to that of a hungry cheetah.
At 2” burned, the balance begins to tip towards the savory. More importantly, the cigar blend settles into a creamy smoothness that defies that label of strength. The spiciness began like a Greek god pounding away at the lesser god, Phillyerectus. Black pepper has joined the group as a good member in standing. Tiny flavor points hidden by the spiciness come out olly olly oxen free. The buttered popcorn morphs into a tri-colored cob of corn slathered in butter. The charred meat becomes prime rib with Yorkshire pudding. And the oakiness continues to deepen its influence.
The effortless smoothness is on a righteous trek.
What a great blend.
At 2-1/2” burned, the first sweet spot plants the flag claiming victory. Flavors ignite like the final psychedelics of “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Layers of early tidbits begin a scrum to garner my attention.
It is a buoyant 8° outside. My windows are open, and my naughty bits are in retreat.
As expected in any great blend, the tobacco intertwines with itself causing a series of parabolic curves that meld the cigar into a deep intensity that newbies and sophisticates will love.
For such a bold cigar, I’m pleased that there is persistent creaminess that finds itself a control factor of this blend. This is masterful.
I slow down my puffs to enjoy the finish which lingers like a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model on the beach arching her back for no particular reason. Vicks VapoRub is no substitute for Lubriderm. But you gotta work with what you got.
At a recording studio in West L.A., I had just finished bass sessions for a Streisand album. Barbra jumped into my Datsun wagon and said, “Let’s go. I don’t want to do my vocals on Passover.” Before I could gun it, her manager banged on my window while screaming for Babs to get out of my fucking car. A long several minutes. I got a peck on the cheek and a story to tell. While in a tizzy, she touched my lap once.
The blend is on spectacular journey that even Elon would understand.
Complexity grabs me by the gonads and won’t let go. I kind of like it. The last person to cup my boys was a homeless guy I gave $10…about 8 months ago. We keep in touch.
Buttered rye bread toast enters causing involuntary tongue slurping that if Charlotte was next to me would see a rolled-up newspaper to my head.
This is the major sweet spot at 3-1/4” burned. The density is so complex that the crocodile that swallowed Captain Hook’s hand is dancing the Boogaloo in waltz time.
What a stunning concoction by Mr. Saka. The old man’s talents with tobacco are clean outta site. Imagine what Steve will be producing 30 years from now. I’ll be dead of course but I will still get messages from my pet tortoise Chaka Kohn.
I believe strength is now at full tilt…yet I feel no body convulsions. And my sight is intact. The control that the blend exhibits is masterful.
The espresso and chocolate are as creamy as a digital butter churn.
The perfect char line smiles down upon the congregation.
Definitely a desert island choice of cigars.
I aged my cigar for only 4 months. Imagine character development after many more months.
The room fills with floral notes.
Herbal tea notes along with a sinewy honey element hoists the blend by its petard.
If the cigar gains much more intensity, I will find myself at my local recruiting station asking to be sent directly to Camp Pendleton.
The layers of complexity behave like the run at Pamplona. A raging bull named Hungadunga sits down and smokes a SakaKohn with me. We discuss the meaning of life, and my hypotheses are flattened.
Newbies…a great full-strength blend to dip your toes into. Seasoned smokers will just plotz.
The price tag of $18(before promo codes) is a mere pittance for the experience that this cigar delivers.
Caramel coated apples make an impressive entrance. My lips smack like a hungry dancing bear.
Creaminess, bear claws, a chocolate milk shake, honey slathered on brioche, charred meat, almonds, honeysuckle buds, malt, tea, and cinnamon run the show.
Going into this review, I was sure the cigar would put me underneath the table, but I was wrong. Every half inch brings something new to my palate. The cigar’s muscle might cause swooning by lesser beings…but for the sophisticated smoker, it brings happiness and delight. One of the best blends I’ve smoked all year.
Construction has been immaculate. The char line is on a mission from God.
The last 2” becomes a man killer. But I’m still upright. And having a swell time.
You can purchase the Mi Querida Black SakaKohn from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. You get 10% off with promo code KATMAN.
RATING: 97
Check out Katman’s Kartel at Small Batch Cigar and score deals on cigars from My Top 32 Cigars of 2023 ~ Rated 96 or Higher! Use promo code: KATMAN for 10% off.
I was alerted by a friend that I have an IMDB page. No idea how long it has been active. Only one project is mentioned. My Butch ‘Eddie Munster’ Patrick music video: “Whatever Happened to Eddie?”
Heavy sigh.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
I like your reviews. but can’t afford to buy the cigars you review now. Can you review any $10 cigars.
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I’ve reviewed countless $10 or less cigars.
Type $10 in the Search Window and ye shall be rewarded.
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