Sobremesa Solita Red was announced in November 2024 where it joined the original Sobremesa (2015), Sobremesa Brulee (2019), Sobremesa Brulee Blue (2020) and Sobremesa Wagashi (2023).
According to the website, “Sobremesa, “over the table”, has no precise English translation, perhaps because there is no cultural equivalent in the US. It is an idiom used among the Latin culture to describe the leisurely time spent tableside after you have finished dining, but before you rise. It is the experience of lingering casually with family and friends in conversation, relaxing, drinking, smoking, and enjoying each other’s company. Sobremesa is one of life’s simplest, yet greatest pleasures. The Sobremesa Solita Red is a special limited production of our Solita liga that is crafted a touch stronger and then aged a full year.”
Cigar Review: Sobremesa Solita Red
Size: 6.25 x 46
Wrapper: La Meca Ecuador Habano Grade 1 Dark Rosado
Binder: Mexico San Andres Negro
Fillers: Nicaraguan (GK Condega C-SG Seco, Pueblo Nuevo Criollo Viso, La Joya Esteli C-98 Viso, ASP Esteli Hybrid Ligero) USA (Lancaster County Broadleaf Ligero)
Factory: Joya de Nicaragua
Release Date: February 2025
Production: Limited Production
Box Size: 13
The Taste: The Sobremesa Solite Red has two bands, with the primary being the standard Sobremesa logo with red accents, and a secondary foot band using the same colors of red & gold denoting Sobremesa. The cigar has a fiddlehead (pigtail) cap and the reddish-brown Habano wrapper has some visible veins and a nice amount of oils. In the hand the cigar is firm to the touch with no voids of tobacco and an above average weight for the size of the cigar.
The Cigar: Perhaps its the red band playing tricks on me but the cold draw has a subtle paprika and cayenne spice to it while the he aroma from the foot sees some earth and additional spices. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there are notes of pepper, lightly toasted bread, and black coffee right out of the gate.
Settling into the first third notes of black coffee and pepper captivate the palate before adding some walnuts to the mix just as the first third comes to a close. I always find it amusing when I get a walnut note as I am allergic to them where I break out in hives. The retrohale of the cigar adds a touch of brown sugar along with cracked peppercorns.
The second third sees a cinnamon component which is dominant at times. Additionally there are notes of cedar, brown sugar and red pepper. Around the halfway point the cinnamon fades and is replaced with a very subtle floral component. Additionally the cigar sees notes of leather and a subtle hint of caramel. The retrohale continues with brown sugar and cracked peppercorns.
Moving into the final third sees cedar notes become dominant with a subtle floral component. Additional the cracked peppercorns make their way to the palate. Additionally there is a subtle sweetness in the background of cocoa and the return of black coffee. As we remove the band some leather emerges as well with cinnamon returning where it is enhanced on the retrohale.
Conclusion: I am convinced Steve Saka made a deal with the devil because I don’t think he has produced a dud since the launch of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust in 2015. This full flavored, medium-plus in perceived strength cigar would only be better if it was a couple of dollars cheaper. But as always that doesn’t factor into our scoring. It has a lot of flavor changes and everytime I smoke one I tend to find something new which keeps me coming back to them.
Score: 94
Price: $18.75 (Before any local or state taxes)
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