Muestra de Saka Nacatamale, 2017 (FEBW3)

[Capn_Jackson]

Saka Time!

 

This is from 2017, the original release of the Nacatamales, as I understand. The wrapper is a deep dark brown hue, lots of mottled oily spots (yum!) and fairly smooth vein-wise, but with quite a bit of tooth. The aroma off the stick is barnyard and some spices. Cold draw is totally burnt sugar, and a little hint of dark fruit. The light-up draw is a delicious burnt wheat with some candy sugar on the tail end.

Pepper, pepper, eye-watering pepper is the story at the beginning. “Pepper! Pepper! Read all about it!!” I would’ve thought in the 7 years since release, this stick would’ve mellowed out more in that territory. There is a mild raisin finish that is actually quite nice with the pepper, but I can’t even grasp what I’m getting via retro because of so much black pepper. After a few minutes, pepper fades - some - and I’m able to distinguish a meaty, saucy note in the retro. Very nice, actually, especially combined with the raisin finish. 

This is different than my norm, so this should be interesting. Once the pepper dies down, about 20 minutes later, the smoke actually gets very, very creamy in texture. This will be a nice change of pace, what I call an “Excursion Cigar” for me. The puff-only, with no retro, is like a heavy, low-sugar banana bread. My wife does a lot of baking with no sugar, using dates as the sweetener instead. This has that kind of vibe on the palate. The retro is where the saucy meat and creamy texture lie. Burn line is slightly erratic, and I have to touch it up some in the first third. Will keep an eye on that. Ash is pretty crumbly, with little bits dropping here and there.

The strength is rather high, making me glad this is as old as it is! Flavorful, though. This would never be an everyday smoke for me, nor really a special occasion stick, but a good change of pace smoke. 

Heading toward the second third, I start to taste molasses, with some heavy savory spices sprinkled on top. As it continues, the baking spices, I can’t tell what exactly, take center stage. The raisin from before has morphed into more of a dark cherry. Around the midpoint, strength is increasing steadily, getting near full territory for sure.

And now what you all came here for, the selfie!

Going into the third act, there is not a marked change, except that some dark cocoa is added. Everything is combining together nicely, into sort of a mole sauce. The finish now has a dark honey character, a long finish lasting all the way to the next puff. Closer to the end, some stout does come into play, along with cayenne pepper, and raisin once again jumps into the mix to wrap things up. The strength settled into about med-full, with body being absolutely full. About an hour and 45 minute smoke, for me. 

I’m giving this one an 88, just because that strong pepper at the beginning nearly overpowered everything in the first third. Not completely, but just masked what was otherwise a nice beginning. I’m glad I have a couple more of these, and will probably hit up another one this Fall.

Cheers!