Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Gorila Gordo is medium brown with some darker marbling and a network of lightly raised veins. The seams are raised in some areas, and the tapered head is pretty well finished. The band is the traditional dark blue and gold combination with the line name. The aroma from the wrapper is dark earth, cocoa powder and some wood, while the foot brings dusty earth, bread and light spice. The pre-light draw brings dark earth, cedar, cocoa and mild spice.

First Third

The cigar begins with toasted oak, earth and black pepper. At a quarter inch in, a light cocoa notes joins in. At three quarters of an inch in, some meatiness becomes present. The retrohale is toasted oak, earth with some black pepper and light meatiness. At an inch and a quarter in, the black pepper mellows a bit. As the third comes to a close, the toasted oak is just ahead of the earth, with black pepper and meatiness in the middle of the profile and some cocoa in the background. The strength was slightly above medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, some mustiness joins the profile. At a half inch in, the black pepper and meatiness mellow a bit. The retrohale is now just toasted oak and slightly dry earth. At an inch in, the black pepper and meatiness mellow some more, and the overall profile becomes a bit dry. At an inch and a half in, the earth mellows a bit. As the third comes to a close, the toasted oak is a bit ahead of the earth, with black pepper and meatiness a bit behind the middle of the profile and some light cocoa powder in the background. The strength remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the earth picks back up a bit. At a half inch in, the meatiness increases a bit. The retrohale is now toasted oak, dry earth and light meatiness. As the cigar wraps up, the toasted oak is just ahead of the earth, with meatiness in the middle of the profile and black pepper and cocoa powder in the back half. The strength remained at slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy throughout, but didn’t need any corrections. The ash held on through each third.

Draw

The draw was a bit tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar began with toasted oak, earth and black pepper. Some light cocoa powder joined in fairly quickly., then some meatiness joined in. The second third saw some mustiness join in for a bit. Later, the pepper and meatiness mellowed. Then, the earth mellowed a bit. The final third saw the earth and meatiness increase a bit. The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Gorila Gordo had a nice start with a good combination of flavors. It took a step down in the second third as the supporting notes mellowed and maintained that level for the rest of the way. I’ve really enjoyed this blend in the past, but I think this vitola is the least enjoyable expression of the blend that I’ve tried. I’d probably go for the Gordito or Ancho Largo instead of coming back to this size.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.85

Cost/Point

$2.56

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Gorila Gordo