JC Newman

November 12, 2024

Umbagog Bronzeback (5 x 48)





Video review HERE.


(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

It is named after Umbagog Lake State Park, a favorite fishing spot of Steve Saka, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s founder.

Earlier this year, the company released a new Umbagog, one that uses a modified blend. Like the regular blend, the Umbagog Bronzeback has a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper; however, it’s not the same Connecticut broadleaf. Regular Umbagog uses a Medium/#1 Dark, while Bronzeback uses a 2LS.

“’2LS’ is a designation for the leaves typically situated between the 1/3 to 1/2 mark on the stalk, they sit beneath what is called the ‘Mediums,’” wrote Saka in a post on his Facebook page. “This section of the plant produces wrapper with a different hue and flavor profile…rather than be that those classic sweet, earthy and cocoa notes exhibited by broadleaf, the 2LS leaves typically give the smoker a slightly less sweet, but significantly more peppery smoking experience.”

Bronzeback is offered in a lone 5 x 48 Rothschild vitola.


Blend and Origin:

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: Nicaragua American Cigars S.A.

Wrapper: U.S.A. (Connecticut Broadleaf)

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua


The cigar is dark brown and has an average feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were a nice pear, brown sugar, chocolate, and light black coffee at the base. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.



At the first third (18 minutes) the cigar has developed nicely. The notes are about the same and now there is cinnamon. The chocolate is sort of between a dark chocolate and regular. There is a touch of earthiness but it's not bad. The finish is pear and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The notes are working well together. I rated the first third 94.




As I moved through the second third (41 minutes) the sweetness has picked up a little. There is now toffee in the mix helping the sweetness. I had the same notes with a quasi bread note. It sort of reminds me of a chocolate cake. The cigar is medium bodied leaning toward medium to full. The finish is pear with subtle light chocolate and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 95.




The cigar lasted 1 hour. It dropped back a little in the final third with an increase in earthiness and black coffee. All the notes are in play except the toffee which dropped off. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is light pear with a little chocolate and very good lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 93. I enjoyed this cigar. These are available at smallbatchcigar.com in 5 packs for $54 and use code tinytim for 10% off and free shipping.




Overall Score: 94

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