Barba Amarilla comes from Steve Saka’s Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. Named after the venomous Fer-de-Lance, an aggressive snake considered to be the most dangerous in Nicaragua the cigar is limited and exclusive to Small Batch Cigar.
Originally blended in 2020 the cigar features seven different sun grown tobaccos comprising entirely of viso and ligero leaves. The cigar is then aged for a longer period of time in cool rooms to temper the peppery bite and allow the flavors of the tobacco to shine.
Cigar Review: DTT Barba Amarilla
Size: 5 5/8 x 48
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Criollo Sungrown
Binder: Nicaraguan Jalapa C98
Fillers: 3 Different Nicaraguan Visos, Dominican Republic C98 Hybrid Ligero, US Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf Ligero
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Release Date: July 2022 (This release, June 24)
Box Count: 10
The Look: Featuring a pig tail cap the Barba Amarilla has a few notable veins on the wrapper but they don’t detract from the visible oils. The cigar features a yellow cloth foot band similar to the Muestra de Saka lines that showcases the name with a snake about to strike. For the purpose of pictures we moved the band to a more traditional location. In the hand the cigar feels a little light with with voids of tobacco.
The Notes: The cold draw has notes of mocha and cedar that are slightly masked by some paprika and red pepper. The foot of the cigar sees more mocha and cedar where it is joined by graham crackers and very little spice. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there is a subtle spice with an abundance of cream.
As we work our way into the first third, notes of cream and caramel become the focal point with a developing cedar around the 1″ mark. The retrohale awakens the cigar with strong notes of peppercorn that are almost too much at first before I begin adapting and adjusting. The Barba Amarilla sees additional notes of coffee develop as the first third comes to a close.
In the second third, the Steve Saka made smoke sees notes of charred oak and coffee become dominant with the retrohale producing a more manageable amount of spice and pecans. As the cigar approached the halfway point a subtle saltine component developed with notes of buttered toast and mild coffee. As the second third comes to a close some creaminess returns and the retrohale is reminiscent of a peppercorn encrusted filet mignon.
The last third of the Barba Amilla starts out creamy with notes of caramel before seeing notes of leather develop where the band would normally be. Additionally there are notes of coffee and charred oak with a nuttiness on the aroma. The retrohale sees peppercorns which intensifies the leather notes on the finish.
Conclusion: I would joke around in the past that Steve Saka has never met a blend of his own that he didn’t fall in love with. At times, I wonder about how much his limited editions detract from his core line as I am guilty of ignoring Sobremesa and Mi Querida as I constantly grab the limited items. There have been brands that have moved away from the business model of limited and store exclusives because of this and a few companies that are based solely on limited editions so it can bee a slippery slope.
With all that said this medium-full bodies smoke is yet another winner from Saka and it makes me wonder if he made a deal with the devil since he is on an unbelievable streak right now. Steve Saka might be one of the most prolific blenders in the game right now.
Score: 94
Price: $53.99/3 pack or 179.99/box
These cigars are available exclusively at: Small Batch Cigar and if you order be sure to use coupon code BARRELBURNER for 10% off. As always, Small Batch Cigar doesn’t charge for shipping.
