鄧巴頓菸草信託

Dunbarton -- Steve Saka's uncompromising cigar philosophy

In 2014, after Drew Estate was acquired by Swisher International, Steve Saka left -- and in the same year founded Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust.

If Liga Privada No.9 is Steve Saka's signature work from the Drew Estate era -- then Dunbarton is his personal cigar philosophy in a state of "complete freedom, without corporate constraints".

It is "the top-tier post-Liga Privada cigar recognized by cigar insiders" -- continuing the legend of Liga Privada.

Origin: The 2014 Drew Estate acquisition

Steve Saka was the driving force behind the blend of Liga Privada No.9 -- and was also the CEO of Drew Estate for 18 years after its founding in 1996.

In 2014, Drew Estate was acquired by the American tobacco giant Swisher International -- Steve Saka was dissatisfied with big-corporate culture and did not agree with Swisher's market strategy, so he chose to leave.

What he took with him when he left was "18 years of accumulated cigar-making experience + collaborative relationships with multiple top-tier factories" -- but no factory of his own and no tobacco fields of his own.

In August 2014, Steve Saka founded Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust -- the company name "Dunbarton" pays tribute to Steve Saka's personal family name heritage (the town of Dunbarton in Scotland).

Dunbarton's "no compromise" philosophy

Steve Saka set 3 major principles for Dunbarton:

1. No financial pressure: using his own money, working slowly, and not making decisions for investors
2. No production-volume pressure: limited releases, ensuring every cigar is of top-tier quality
3. No market compromise: making only blends he personally believes in, not adjusting them for mass-market tastes

These 3 major principles make Dunbarton the "last pure brand" in the boutique cigar industry.

Factory: Joya de Nicaragua S.A. (NACSA)

Dunbarton is produced at the NACSA (Joya de Nicaragua S.A.) factory -- a collaborative relationship Steve Saka had already established during the Drew Estate era:

• NACSA is one of Nicaragua's top-tier factories -- and is also Joya de Nicaragua's own factory
• Steve Saka has many years of collaborative experience with NACSA
• NACSA is willing to accept Dunbarton's "no compromise" quality requirements -- meticulous work, limited production

Sobremesa -- The flagship legend

Sobremesa was released in 2015 -- "Sobremesa" means "after-dinner cigar" in Spanish (family table after dinner):

• Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Rosado (rosy brown)
• Binder: Mexican Matacapan
• Filler: Nicaraguan Estelí + Ometepe + Honduras (complex blend)
• Strength: medium to full
• Experience time: 60-90 minutes

Sobremesa immediately received 95+ points from Cigar Aficionado -- continuing the legend of Liga Privada No.9.

In 2019, Sobremesa Short Churchill was named the #1 Cigar of the Year for 2019 by Cigar Aficionado (97 points) -- Steve Saka's second creation at the "Cigar of the Year" level (the first was Liga Privada No.9).

Mi Querida -- Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro flagship

Mi Querida was released in 2016 -- "Mi Querida" means "my beloved" in Spanish:

• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro (dark brown)
• Strength: medium to full
• Feature: Steve Saka's ultimate exploration of Connecticut Broadleaf

Mi Querida has received multiple 92-95 point ratings from Cigar Aficionado -- it is Dunbarton's Maduro flagship.

Sin Compromiso -- "No compromise" full strength

Sin Compromiso was released in 2018 -- "Sin Compromiso" means "no compromise" in Spanish (directly echoing Dunbarton's philosophy):

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro (dark)
• Strength: full
• Feature: Steve Saka's ultimate definition of a "full-strength cigar"

It is Dunbarton's most intense cigar series -- suited to full-strength enthusiasts.

Todos Las Días -- Approachable entry point

Todos Las Días was released in 2018 -- "Todos Las Días" means "every day" in Spanish:

• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
• Strength: medium to full
• Feature: more approachable in price, suited as an "everyday cigar"

It is Dunbarton's entry-level series -- allowing more enthusiasts to experience Steve Saka's philosophy.

Limited collections: Triqui Traca, Brûlée, Polpetta

Dunbarton has multiple limited collection series:

• Mi Querida Triqui Traca (2018 limited): "Triqui Traca" is Spanish for "crackling and popping" (the sound of firecrackers), with explosive spice
• Sobremesa Brûlée (Connecticut Shade wrapper version): a lighter-colored, creamier version
• Polpetta (small-format limited release): meaning "meatball"

Every limited release is the result of Steve Saka's "blend laboratory" -- rare collectibles pursued by collectors.

Dunbarton vs Liga Privada comparison

Many enthusiasts ask, "What is the difference between Dunbarton and Liga Privada?"

Item	Liga Privada	Dunbarton
Period	Steve Saka at Drew Estate (2007-2014)	Steve Saka's personal brand (2014 to present)
Factory	Drew Estate La Gran Fabrica	NACSA (Joya de Nicaragua)
Representatives	No.9 (95+ points), T52, Único Serie	Sobremesa (2019 Cigar of the Year #1), Mi Querida, Sin Compromiso
Style	Medium to full strength from the Drew Estate era	Deeper complexity from Steve Saka in complete freedom
Production volume	Larger volume (part of Drew Estate)	Limited (Steve Saka's personal philosophy)
Price	USD 15-40/stick	USD 18-50/stick

The difference between smoking Liga Privada and smoking Dunbarton:

• Liga Privada No.9: "Steve Saka's 9th trial blend" -- a classic balance
• Sobremesa: "Steve Saka's evolved version after gaining complete freedom" -- ultimate complexity

Why Taiwanese enthusiasts should smoke Dunbarton

3 reasons:

1. A "post-Liga Privada" legend: smoking Dunbarton = smoking the "final form" of Steve Saka's 18 years of accumulated cigar philosophy
2. 2019 Cigar of the Year #1: Sobremesa Short Churchill was the #1 Cigar of the Year for 2019 by Cigar Aficionado (97 points)
3. Uncompromising purity: it is the "last pure brand" in the boutique cigar industry -- smoking it means smoking a philosophy

Pairing suggestions:

• Sobremesa + aged bourbon (Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year)
• Mi Querida + aged single malt whisky (Lagavulin 16 Year)
• Sin Compromiso + Cuban rum (Havana Club Selección de Maestros)
• Todos Las Días + espresso or strong coffee

Welcome to W Cigar Bar in Da'an District, where Cigar Prince Wilson Tsai will personally accompany you in experiencing Dunbarton's "Steve Saka no compromise" philosophy.

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Further reading: Dunbarton's complete product spectrum

Sobremesa series -- The flagship legend

Classic formats:

• Short Churchill (4¾" × 48) -- 2019 Cigar of the Year #1
• Cervantes Fino (5⅝" × 46)
• Robusto Largo (5⅞" × 52)
• Toro Tiempo (6½" × 52)
• Belicoso Fino (5⅝" × 54)
• Tres Mas Tres (6½" × 56)
• Elegante en Cedros (6½" × 50 aged in Spanish cedar box)

Sobremesa Brûlée -- Connecticut Shade version

A lighter-colored, creamier version -- suited to mornings or a lighter experience:

• Brûlée Robusto (5" × 50)
• Brûlée Toro (6" × 52)
• Brûlée Corona Viva (5⅝" × 46)

Mi Querida series -- Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Classic formats:

• No.852 (5⅛" × 52)
• Más Fina (5" × 38 slim)
• Triqui Traca No.448 (limited "crackling and popping")
• Fino Largo (5⅞" × 38)

Sin Compromiso series -- Full strength

Classic formats:

• Selección No.5 (5½" × 56)
• Selección No.7 (6½" × 52)
• Intrépido Lonsdale (6¼" × 44)

Todos Las Días series -- Approachable entry point

Classic formats:

• Robusto (5" × 52)
• Toro Grande (6" × 56)
• Mas Mas Grande (6" × 56)

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Collection and aging suggestions

Entry level (NT$5,000-15,000)

• Sobremesa Cervantes Fino × 5
• Todos Las Días Robusto × 5

Advanced (NT$30,000-80,000)

• Sobremesa Short Churchill × 5 (2019 Cigar of the Year #1)
• Mi Querida No.852 × 5
• Sin Compromiso Selección No.5 × 3

Collector (NT$200,000+)

• Sobremesa Elegante en Cedros (version aged in Spanish cedar box)
• Mi Querida Triqui Traca (limited)
• 2014-2017 early Sobremesa aged editions -- high market scarcity

Aging suggestions

• Sobremesa: aging for 2-3 years is suggested -- allowing the depth of the blend to unfold
• Mi Querida: can be smoked immediately -- Connecticut Broadleaf flavors are fresh and full
• Sin Compromiso: aging for 3-5 years is suggested -- allowing the full strength to transform into complex depth

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The Cigar Prince's "Dunbarton advanced appreciation path"

Stage 1: Understanding (sticks 1-3)

Start with Sobremesa Cervantes Fino -- experience the starting point of Steve Saka's personal philosophy.

Stage 2: Cigar of the Year experience (sticks 4-6)

Move into Sobremesa Short Churchill -- experience the legend of the 2019 Cigar of the Year #1. Pairing: aged bourbon Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year.

Stage 3: Strength advancement (sticks 7-10)

Smoke Sin Compromiso + Mi Querida -- experience Dunbarton's full strength and Maduro flagship.

Stage 4: Limited collection (sticks 10+)

Collect Mi Querida Triqui Traca and Sobremesa Elegante en Cedros -- enter Dunbarton's top-tier world.

Welcome to W Cigar Bar in Da'an District to experience the full spectrum of "Steve Saka no compromise" together with the Cigar Prince.

W Cigar Bar is an authorized dealer of Pacific Cigar Company PCC (PCC is the official and legitimate import channel of Habanos S.A. Cuba in Taiwan) -- and also provides the complete Dunbarton spectrum experience in Taipei.