Cigar Geeks - Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Red Meat Lovers Meat Box Pressed (2021)

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Red Meat Lovers Meat Box Pressed (2021)
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Brlesq

88
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member Cfickter (Chuck). The cigar provided for this round is the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Red Meat Lovers Meat Box Pressed (2021).

Red Meat Lovers is a top shelf, maduro liga that was created intentionally to be smoked after enjoying a heavy meal of steak or prime rib. The blend was developed while simultaneously consuming "chuleta de dos lomos" aka an export grade of prime Porterhouse steaks in Nicaragua with a varied selection of fine post digestif whiskeys and espresso. Originally created at the request of the Red Meat Lovers Club to smoke at their charity dinners, it became one of the most successful annual single store exclusives in the market. So in 2023, Dunbarton decided to make it a regular production cigar. Offered in three classic trunk-pressed formats, as well as a spicier, stronger "beef stick" variation in a unique flat capped, closed foot Parejo vitola. The RML collection of cigars are the perfect puros to pair with hearty meals and libations, or for whenever a robust, dark maduro is desired.

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Red Meat Lovers Meat Box Pressed (2021)

Brand:: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
Name:: Red Meat Lovers Meat Box Pressed (2021)
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 52
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
United States
Binder:: Mexico
Wrapper:: Connecticut Broadleaf
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Full
Shape:: Toro
Average Member Purchase Price:: $13.50
Average Member Rating:: (1 Review(s))
Notes:: 2021 Red Meat Lovers boxed pressed toro https://www.smokeinn.com/Red-Meat-Lovers-by-Dunbarton-T-and-T-SI-Exclusive-Product/

This cigar was enjoyed with Pure Kentucky XO Bourbon

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

This dark brown cigar sported a rustic and veiny wrapper which had an almost sand paper grittiness to it, but was still oily. It is a soft box press, solidly rolled with no soft spots and a decent heft in weight. The triple cap was an impressive 1/2" long. The red band with white font appears a bit cartoonish and reminds you of food packaging fonts widely used (on purpose, I'm certain). Prelight aroma was sweet tobacco.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

The layered, gray ash was impressive, holding on three times to 1.5" each (a quarter of the cigar each drop!) The burn was slightly wavy at times, but never required a touch up. It produced lots of smoke.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

Construction was overall superb. As mentioned earlier, the triple cap was an impressive 1/2" long and well applied. It was solidly rolled with no soft spots, and rolled so well that it dropped off in 1.5" increments. The draw was respectable and had just about the right amount of "tug" for my liking.

Flavor and Aroma: 38 Points of 45 Possible

Upon lighting, the cigar opens with strong tobacco and seems to be full body/full strength. Profile is charred oak, unsweetened cocoa and some black pepper (but not an overwhelming amount). It is quite pleasant other than for some tangy metallic notes in the background.

By the second third, it has calmed down a bit and now more medium full in strength and body. It has become creamier, and the black pepper has transitioned into "hot" baking spices like either ginger or cinnamon, and this adds a touch of sweetness. The metallic notes have dissipated, and the retrohales are very enjoyable at this stage.

The final third was pretty much a repeat of the same, with a little tanginess added on the tongue towards the end. It finished as a medium full cigar.

Summary

Overall, this was an good cigar with terrific construction and a slow, even burn. It was not very complex, but the flavor notes were enjoyable, and there was never any harshness, even after the strong opening salvo. I'm glad that I had an opportunity to experience this one and will certainly keep a few in rotation. Total smoke time 1:35