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: arrow34

93
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 First editions Craigellachie 19yr

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

The cigar is veiny and very toothy, soft box press. Also seems to be medium fill. Pigtail cap and overall good construction with slight firmness and an oily wrapper. Stick has been resting for over three weeks and my humidor after arrival.

I chose a straight cut VS twisting off the pig tail, cold draw is very good. Sweetness and a touch of spice.

Lighting and Burn: 14 Points of 15 Possible

After the cut, I used a 4 burner Torch slight and it took a few moments to char it and in a few puffs to bring to life. Even in the first few puffs lots of smoke volume, the burn was razor sharp until the end of the first third. Ash was solid and grey/black. Burn needed a slight touch up to correct the burn that had gone a bit wavy. Beginning of the final third ash fell off unexpectedly and got me... Damn. Zero relights, besides the one touch up. 1hr 40min burn time.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

Construction is on point with Dunbartons usual top notch releases. Cap snipped off with little effort. Wrapper is not delicate and feels good in your hands; soft box press adds a nice feel also. Draw is exactly as I like it: touch of resistance, but draws easily. Ash initially held on for about an inch, nice and solid and fell off after the third time I set it down. After the touch up, burn stayed straight through the end of the cigar. Ash didn't hold on as much as it didn't beginning how much attracting a few points cause it got me....

Flavor and Aroma: 42 Points of 45 Possible

Right off the bat: The flavor and strength are medium/full. 1st third is a great start and nice flavors. Bold spice and sweetness, fruit, dark earthy tobacco, my retrohale brings out black pepper, nuttiness and some spice. Start of the second third brings more of the same flavors, with the addition of a light charred meat that lingers afterwards and some malt. Late into the second third pepper takes the lead. Final Third strength is at full and flavors stay the same.

Summary

I'm gonna have to get a few more of these and age them for a bit. I have a feeling these are just gonna get better with time. It seemed to me that this smoked a bit young and could use more humidor time. With all that said I really enjoyed the cigar and wood gladly smoke more.