Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Dark Shorts
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 52 Torpedo
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $16.00
Date Released: May 2025
Quantity Released: Undisclosed
Factory: Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A.

My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.

BACKGROUND:
From Smoke Inn:
“Originally released in November of 2024 and called MQ-Green-No2. The Emerald Fish Torpedo is a cigar that speaks to both tradition and innovation, delivering a complex, full-bodied smoking experience that only Saka can create. This exclusive cigar is built around a rich blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos and finished with a CTBL Dark Shorts wrapper, a unique touch that brings a deep, earthy richness with hints of cocoa and spice.

“In Steve Saka’s own words: ‘Same liga as the Pata Perro, but opted to use CTBL Dark Shorts as the wrapper—the combo of the green liga with the corona ligero capa and the funnel format of the vitola make these considerably STRONGER.’

“The Emerald Fish is a distinct twist on DTT’s core maduro cigar blend, wrapped in a notably potent “Short Dark” broadleaf wrapper. Sourced from the highest part of the plant, these corona leaves are packed with intense pepper and nicotine. The tapered funnel shape of this vitola amplifies the experience, delivering a “one-two punch” that offers an exceptionally bold and robust smoke.”

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Wrapper aromas: extreme chocolate, slight mintyness, charcoal, espresso, and peppery.

Often, torpedoes are rolled in the wrong hands. Most have draw issues. Removing only ¼” from the cap is the intent. Sometimes, another quarter of an inch is required for air to flow properly. And too often, I keep whacking away until the reason for the design of a pointy torpedo cap is defeated. In the case of the Green Fish, one snip and airflow is righteous. My PerfecDraw sits in repose plotting my demonic demise.

The cold draw is earthy, leathery, muddy, another dash of mint, but mostly great green gobs of dark chocolate. Globular nuts descend from the mother ship transporting a hearty cup of black coffee into streams of delight.

First puffs are reptilian. My eyes flutter. My gonadal region bumps against my heel. And my pelvic thrust is overwhelmed by an orangish glow coming from the Tic Tac shaped object outside my window. I hear a whisper of “Klaatu barada nikto.” In the romance languages, this translates as: “Your head’s in the way. I can’t see the tv.”

The only review I found of the Emerald Fish described the blend as best suited for sophisticated palates. Ignoring that advice, I plow ahead.

This instantly becomes a dark chocolate Milky Way bar. Oozing delight. Schmearing gooey caramel. And lisping like Dr. Frank N Furter. No, no…wait. A dark chocolate Turtle bar. That’s it because I taste a slight hint of pecan on the finish.

Suggestive adjectives and flowery nouns will seek refuge in a hungry smoker’s well-groomed merkin every time. Kidding.

This cigar is designed to handle a stout dinner like the archetypal Meat Lovers blend. It’s rich breadth and depth has layers upon layers. Thus, the axiom that the cigar goes from mungo jerry to ziggy stardust in record land speed time is the appropriate nomenclature.

I read the other day that director Steven Soderbergh is making a documentary about John Lennon. It stems from a multi-hour interview Lennon did a day before he was murdered in December 1980. The interview was edited down to a 5-hour masterpiece and put on vinyl that was distributed to radio stations across the universe. A friend, Marshall Thomas, was hired to do the commercial interludes on the vinyl. Marshall brought over the original vinyl to my recording studio and I transferred it to 5 cassette tapes. I’ve listened to it 5 times over 45 years. It is an astonishing piece of history. Woven into the interview are dozens of Beatle tunes and Lennon’s solo efforts. The reason that Lennon agreed to the interview was to promote his last album “Double Fantasy.” I have kept those tapes in high regard and not allowed them to see daylight to keep them pristine.

A malty presence intercedes around one inch burned. It adheres to the chocolatiness perfectly. Nuts fill my shoes. Darkness encompasses my soul. Lightness grabs me by the scrimshaw. All we are saying is give peace a chance.

Creaminess shows up at the two-inch mark. The blend is jelling. Speaking of Cosby…Charlotte’s best friend in Tahoe, in the early 80’s, would get Bill girls and drugs when he visited for a gig. Everyone knew what he was. But it would take years for the law to prosecute.

The earthiness is sublime. It is bedrock for the chocolate, nuts, malt, creaminess, and mild black pepper. Certainly not a flavor bomb in the making but rather, a very smooth and sophisticated blend about to unfold.

The news of the new Lennon documentary forced me to buy a cassette player so I can revisit my tapes once again. It’s bracing and sad listening to Lennon who had only a day to live. But when I hear Yoko interrupting, I cringe. Often, Lennon became aggravated and came close to telling her to shut up.

Despite the subliminal message from Saka to smoke this cigar after a meal, I find it a better blend as the first cigar of the day. The subtle depth works better on a clean palate. This is one of those blends that makes you want to constantly puff without a proper rest period. Danger Will Robinson. I take my own advice and allow this tiny bowling pin to subside in my ashtray with a minute or two between blurbs.

My morning coffee goes down well with this cigar. As does sips of water. The Emerald Fish is becoming one of the most stylish Saka blends he’s produced. I should note that this is my fourth cigar. Each one has exhibited burn issues. Nothing serious but certainly annoying.

The first half was a dream. The sweet spot awaits.

I have an enormous library of music in which my robust talents exhibit themselves; but most are in the archaic form of reel to reel, ¾” video, and cassettes. I’ve listened to many of the recordings and have been taken through time like sitting in a double decker Way Back Machine. Some is quite horrible. But a surprising amount is quite good. I’d like to have it all transcribed to digital. I now have a project. As the Lennon interview is copyrighted and I don’t own the rights, I cannot sell copies.

Earthy creaminess, chocolate, pecans, malt, black pepper. Flavors are canonized but it’s not really about the short list. Broad depth, complex finish, smoky gee golly, and smooth transitions. Oddly, strength stuck to medium until the second half. Zero nicotine. And the strength barely affects brain waves to keyboard agility. I could smoke this bugger all day long.

As much as I make fun of Milwaukee, there are perks. First and foremost is that it’s affordable. Being a Los Angeles boy, I’m not crazy about four seasons. The Midwest saw its first snow two days ago and I took this photo from the balcony of my apartment. Except for the coyote and marmot tracks, the unblemished snow looks like an ice pond. A bench on the right provides nice perspective. The mood is set for the holidays.

The minor burn issues resolved themselves in the first half.

Progression is so smooth that it barely registers on the Richter Scale. While this blend may have been designed for sophisticated palates…good is good. Everyone recognizes this in whatever level they present themselves. While I certainly enjoy the Mi Querida line, the Emerald Fish is king. Imagine the level of blends that Saka smokes from his private stash. Chrysanthemums and lilies. Wood nymphs all the time.

The last third is smoother than my tushy after bathing in cream cheese and popovers. Not a hint of nicotine. Strength moderate. I bought a box and will hold them dear. If I had Dr. Rod’s money, I’d buy them all. The Fish is a delight.

RATING: 97

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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, Dunbarton Mi Querida The Emerald Fish | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, dunbarton tobacco & trust, katman, mi querida, phil kohn, steve saka