Cigar reviews
Dunbarton Tobacco And Trust Year Of The Pausers
Apr
One of Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust’s most anticipated releases for 2026 is finally here! Introducing the Dunbarton Year of the Pausers! This is one of the most unique, limited releases from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust! This masterfully executed ‘Twin Blend Release’ offers something a little different than your typical cigar drop. Instead of a single blend, this project includes two completely different cigars in one box, both in a 6 x 48 toro with a pigtail cap. It’s a great example of what makes Dunbarton stand out—thoughtful blending, high-quality tobacco, and a concept that actually means something.
This release is part of Dunbarton’s “Year Of” series, which focuses on honoring people close to the brand rather than following the usual zodiac theme of Year of the Horse. The Year of the Pausers is dedicated to Michelle and Tom Pauser, a cigar-loving couple from Alaska who are well known in the cigar community. To create these cigars, Steve Saka asked each of them to share their favorite Dunbarton blends, and those preferences became the foundation for each cigar. Because their tastes are so different, the result is two completely distinct blends in one box.
As Steve Saka Was quoted to say, “Michele and Tom are a spectacular couple who are very active online, in particular the SI Social Group, and travel to Lower 48 to attend multiple cigar events each year. They are two of the nicest people in the world, always positive and not only are big supporters of DTT, but many other brands.
Michele is as serious a cigar smoker as Tom, maybe even more crazy, so doing one special liga for them was not going to cut it. Therefore I created 2 totally different blends, one for him, the other for her. For those of you not familiar with the process, these are -not- blends they have any involvement in creating. They will actually smoke them just before we ship to all of our Purveyors, so they may not even like them.
When it comes to flavor, the contrast between the two cigars is what makes this release so interesting. For the liga honoring Michele, it is a variation of my beloved Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka, but now in a smaller format and with modified filler blend that maintains the higher octane of the PDS, but adds a beautiful sweet, creamier note to its combination of cocoa and coffee notes. Overall, medium plus – this is sublime cigar, many folks are going to love this one.
For the liga honoring Tom, I went into uncharted territory. It is the very first ever cigar blend featuring a totally NEW wrapper variety I dubbed “Capa Camaleón”. Grown in Esteli, it is a first generation hybridized seed that crosses the classic H2000 Sungrown Cuban Seed with US Connecticut Broadleaf. Why “chameleon”? Because when the farmer initially showed it to me, at first blush looking at the leaf structure I thought it was Habana seed, but then I noticed some distinct markers in the vein and leaf shape structure that made me think it was some sort of Broadleaf. And then I smoked some samples and I was blown away – it truly tastes different than anything I have ever had before. Almost a burnt caramel and saltiness to it that has a distinct twang on the palate. Now I will admit this liga is a bit of a risk given its unique properties. But torpedos be damned, I just went for it. And while this is a fuller bodied liga, that cross of the broadleaf tempers the bite I would normally expect from an Esteli sungrown Cuban seed capa. I think this liga is going to age out beautifully over time.”
If you’re looking to try the Dunbarton Year of the Pausers, this is a limited release with a small production run, and each box of 14 includes both cigars. It’s a great option for anyone who enjoys Dunbarton cigars or just wants to experience two very different blends in one set. Whether you’re buying it for the story or the cigars themselves, it’s one that stands out in the humidor. The Dunbarton Year of the Pausers is available now while supplies last.
