TX Duo Review - DTT MdS #NLMTHA

[Çnote]

I'm not sure where @Capn_Jackson is, but this came from his stash.

I used to be much bigger on Saka/DTT, but between Todos Las Dias getting the ax and discovering the joys of CC via 24:24, this is a brand that I just left by the roadside at some point. Coming back years later, I've found it's just not my cuppa anymore, mostly due to pricing and availability. Taking price has been wonderful for awareness of this brand, a huge amount of banger store exclusives and well considered LTOs have also helped. Unfortunately this has pushed releases just a little too high for my everyday, and they seem to need 'just a few more months' every time I try them. The good stuff disappears quickly and you rarely see disco, so there's not much incentive to buy bulk, and then DTT is pretty strict on retailers, so not many accounts really stock the brand. Personally, I think tobacco quality has given over to lifestyle branding here and is now the #1b consideration. It's still very high, but dollars down I'd rather a box of something else. As I type this is realize I probably have ~10 boxes of DTT anyway...

Steve Saka is pretty legend. He was the tobacco guy at Drew Estate and then after sitting his non-compete he opened Dunbarton Tobacco Trust. He's admitted publicly he's 'not a lancero guy,' but the level of pride he has in what he does results in a very high level of quality across the board. My understanding is some critical feedback regarding the DE Liga LP40 resulted in a lack of lancero initially at DTT and this particular item was released sporadically 2019-2023 under #NLMTHA, 'Now Leave Me The Hell Alone.' Lanceros are so divisive.

The pigtail is very decorative but leaves such a tiny draw I have to snip a little to sip at this.

The light up is immediate honey and sweet earth, quickly rolling into something which I will describe as honey walnut shrimp, unami noodles and all. About an inch in, it's more sweet pumpernickel for awhile, especially with slow sips keeping the cherry cool. Getting to the 3rd3rd, a pleasant sourness like persimmon climbs on stage and starts to act like twang. It's not spot on, but it's much more interestingly intense than it has been. Progesses into leathery earth with lashes of espresso. This hangs around for a few inches until I burn a fingertip.

Construction is great, tight ash, even burn, stays cool. 86? I just don't like this as much as it sounds like I do.

Fun certainly. Worth seeking out today? Ehh if you love lanceros. Maybe Jackson does.

[El Presidente]

Excellent review 

[Capn_Jackson]

How did I get so far behind on Duo reviews???

Today, smoking the Muestra de Saka #NLMTHA. Nice dark brown wrapper, almost chocolate bar color. Cold draw is giving me faint traces of crushed hazelnuts with coffee and some bright fruits. Light-up is about the same. Tiny bit of pepper, coffee, raisin.

The first third has some very NC but excellent splashes of macchiato crème, faint coconut milk, and prune. Eventually morphs into an even sweeter dark chocolate-covered coffee bean, and hints of vanilla. Heading toward the second third, pound cake with maple rum glaze.

Around the second third, much more earthy, and some great funky shitake with wisps of hickory smoke. Tiny bit of green pepper, and some spice. No pound cake here. Rye toast instead, with almond butter. After the midpoint, starting to get a bit of leather, but it’s not horse saddle or biker leather. Softer, like the cuff leather bracelets i was so known for in my 20’s and early 30’s.

The final act is fairly earthy still, but I get some random oregano popping in here and there. Really interesting representation of the leaves. I like this a lot more than I thought I would, but it’s still not exactly my jam. Speaking of jam, there it is. Some sweetish jalapeño jam as I get to where a band would normally be. Makes me decide to nub this thing. The nub is a little bitter, but not offensive. Loads of coffee and leather. Same soft leather as before, just a lot more of it.

Damn good, and it shows how even adult taste buds can change. Three years ago I would’ve hated how unsubtle it is. Two years ago, I would’ve accepted it as a change of pace. A year ago I would’ve been happy to have it any time. Now, I’m glad I have another hiding in the bottom of a tupperdore. Goes nicely after an ERdM La Reina (too bad I don’t have more of those hiding somewhere).

87-89.

[Çnote]

This didn't hit me as sweet, but otherwise it looks like we smoked the same cigar, down to saying nice nice things with a (relatively) low score...

[qs210]

Thanks for taking the time! Great review!