Cigar Review: Oktoberfest Dunkel by Quesada

Originally published at Tiki Bar Online

Toro, 6” x 54 ring gauge / $44.75, 5 pack, Smoke Inn Exclusive

Smoke Inn just released the 7th in their ever-expanding Microblend Series, this time based around the popular Quesada Oktoberfest line. I first became aware of the Oktoberfest about 2 years ago, although it may have shipped a year earlier. At this point, it is an annual release, coming out around October. The regular release is a Dominican Puro, using Criollo and Olor leaves that really do impart a nice flavor. This Microblend version uses the same fillers and binder as the original, but does a big change-up with the wrapper. The majority is wrapped in a select Broadleaf Maduro leaf (Connecticut? Perhaps, although I saw no confirmation in the materials I received or on the Smoke Inn website), while the foot has a piece of Connecticut Shade around it. Hold it with the foot up and the effect is supposed to be like a “dark rich Dunkel beer with a savory foamy head.” And thus the name of this version of the Oktoberfest: Dunkel. I received 2 samples of the Dunkel in early September, but lots of work and little time conspired to prevent me from reviewing it before they went on sale at Smoke Inn. Visit their website to buy it if it sounds like something you’d like.

The Oktoberfest band looks particularly striking against the dark Broadleaf wrapper. If you saw this without knowing what it was, the band would give you no further clues, though…it’s the same as the regular Oktoberfest release. The wrapper itself was oily and toothy and altogether beautiful…if you’re into the way Broadleaf looks…and I am. There were some medium to large veins in evidence and a couple minor defects, but the aroma of sweet earth and cocoa powder made up for that. The foot had a grassy, slightly earth aroma to it. The cold draw was very good and had a lightly grassy flavor, with touches of milk chocolate.

The desired effect of smoking the sliver of Shade wrapper first is quite striking. The beginning flavor is creamy, smooth, and more than a little grassy. There was very little pepper spice anywhere, just an overall feeling that the cigar would be mild bodied and easy-smoking. Then the Broadleaf started burning. Immediately there was an increase in body and a big sweet flavor came through. Notes of dark chocolate and earth mixed with the creamier Shade wrapper flavors…but before long those lighter notes faded, leaving just the Broadleaf sweet and earthy notes, along with a marked pepper burn on the retrohale. By the end of the first third the Broadleaf was fully in control of the flavor profile, imparting notes of cocoa powder, dried fruit, espresso, and earth on the palate, along with a very nice pepper spice on the nose.

The construction was excellent on this cigar. The Oktoberfest Dunkel had a fantastic draw and solid ash that held on for an inch or more. The burn line was a bit wavy, which is characteristic of Maduro leaves, but was also quite even. The flavor in the second third was a consistent chewy, medium-bodied sweetness with earth and subtle woody notes. The pepper burn on the nose subsided quite a bit during this time.

The final third got earthier and the pepper spice came back, but mostly on the palate this time. Underlying the sweet Broadleaf flavors were the more subtle grassiness of the Dominican interior leaves and the combination was very nice. I have always enjoyed the Oktoberfest by Quesada, but in my opinion, this version takes it to a whole new level. Maybe that’s just the Broadleaf talking, but then again…I have been on a bit of a Broadleaf kick lately. As with all the Smoke Inn Microblend Series, if you like this one, buy as many as you can before they are gone. I will definitely have to pick up at least a 5 pack myself…maybe even spring for a whole box.

Body: 7/10
Strength: 7/10
Complexity: 9/10

AFP Scale

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10