Initial Thoughts
Well if you have followed me for a while you know I’m a big fan of some of the past work of Steve Saka. So when I was able to track down some of his latest line the Mi Querida I have to say that I was very excited! After smoking his Sobremesa it was clear he hasn’t lost his touch for blending great cigars. Admittedly from his website he states: “Earthy and dense with a long teasing, slightly dirty finish”. For some reason that is very enticing description for the flavor of a cigar. Now if it was describing something else it probably wouldn’t be as enticing, am I right? Another thing that I love about this cigar is the story behind the name. I’m always fascinated by how brands come up with the names of their products, and if you get a chance go read Saka’s reasoning behind his name of Mi Querida or ‘My Dearest’. You can check out the story here: http://www.dunbartoncigars.com/marcas. So let’s hop into the review and get down to the exciting stuff!Looks
I’ll be honest, the Mi Querida is not a flashy looking cigar. The packaging is very simple, a dark navy blue band with a gold piping around it. I love the simplicity of the look. The box is equally simple. To me that tells me that all the focus is put on the inside of the cigar. More focus on the blend and the final output than the packaging. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is luscious and dark with a great texture to it. A few veins are throughout but the rugged texture gets me excited. There aren’t very many broadleaf wrapped cigars that I have smoked and not enjoyed!
Function
After I nip the cap with my Xikar Xi, I gave the cigar a nice dry draw test to get a preamble to what I might expect throughout the smoke. It has a nice open draw that gives me some nice earthy flavors and pepper coming through up front. The wrapper offers a nice amount of give and bounce back when I squeeze it between my fingers. All and all it passes the first test!Smoking
Now it’s time to light this one up and see where it stands. All throughout the cigar this Mi Querida smoked perfectly. I never had an issue with the draw and the burn line was nearly flawless. Once during the course of smoking this one, I purged the cigar like I do with all of my smokes to get rid of any built up tar in the barrel. I probably could have gone the entire way without purging, but it really allows the clean flavors to come through again and I love doing that about half way through. Just my own personal smoking preference.
Flavor
Now, to the exciting part, the flavors! On the nose you definitely get a heavy dose of that earthiness that Saka describes on his site. Secondly, I pick up a nice aroma of mocha which I always love. During the smoke I’m able to find that “dirty” earthiness that he describes as well as the mocha / cocoa that came through in pre light inspection. As with most Nicaraguan cigars I’m picking up a nice soft pepper note on the retro that offers a great compliment to the sweetness throughout. Overall, I really enjoyed the flavor profile from this Mi Querida!
Would I Buy It Again?
Without a doubt.Is It an Every Day Smoke?
I can only hope!Would I Buy a Box?
Certainly, if I had room in my humidor I would love to stash a box in there!Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust?
Eric doesn’t call out a specific strength level in his review, but the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, earthy density, and soft pepper on the retrohale suggest this is a medium-to-full smoke — not a beginner cigar, but not a face-melter either.
What are the flavor notes of the Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust?
The Mi Querida delivers a heavy earthiness that Saka himself describes as “slightly dirty,” backed by mocha and cocoa notes that come through from pre-light all the way to the finish, with a soft pepper note on the retrohale rounding everything out.
Top Cigar Accessories
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Where can I buy the Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust?
Eric tracked his down independently — your best bet is to check dunbartoncigars.com or hit up a well-stocked local brick-and-mortar, as Dunbarton cigars can be tough to find.
How much does the Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust cost?
Eric puts the Mi Querida at around $10 a stick, which he considers a solid value for the complexity and quality you’re getting from a Steve Saka blend.
What bourbon pairs well with the Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust?
Eric says he feels this cigar would stand up to most of his favorite bourbons and offer an incredible complement of flavors — he’s a Louisville bourbon guy, so that’s not a small statement.
Where to Buy Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
Average retail: ~$10 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$10/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$10/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
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Best Bourbon Pairings for the Mi Querida by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s big oak and natural sweetness should play nicely against the Mi Querida’s earthy, mocha-driven profile without either one bullying the other off the palate.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s rich, baking-chocolate character mirrors the cocoa and mocha notes Eric picks up throughout the smoke, making it a near-obvious match for this broadleaf maduro.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve’s softer, caramel-edged profile lets the Mi Querida’s earthy complexity stay in the spotlight while adding just enough sweetness to complement that soft pepper finish.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
Conclusion
About This Review
Eric “Siz” Scism is a Louisville, KY-based cigar and bourbon enthusiast and the founder of Stogies on the Rocks. With over 20 years of marketing experience and direct access to Kentucky’s bourbon country, Eric brings genuine expertise and a discerning palate to every review. He is also the founder of Cream of Kentucky bourbon, giving him a unique insider’s perspective on American whiskey. All cigar and bourbon reviews on this site are based on personal, unsponsored tasting experiences.





