Dunbarton Mi Querida Gordita

The Dunbarton Mi Querida Gordita is the compact everyday expression of Steve Saka's flagship Connecticut Broadleaf maduro line. At 4¼ inches by 48 ring gauge — a classic petit robusto shape — the Gordita is designed for the moments when a full-size toro isn't practical but you refuse to compromise on quality or flavor profile.

Mi Querida (Spanish for "my darling") was Saka's love letter to Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco when he launched Dunbarton in 2015–2016. The construction is straightforward and intentional: Connecticut Broadleaf dark maduro wrapper over a 100% Nicaraguan binder and long-leaf filler, rolled at NACSA in Estelí with the same quality control applied to the larger vitolas. What varies across the nine-vitola lineup is the expression of the blend, shaped by format, ring gauge, and draw character.

In the Gordita, the smaller ring gauge and short length produce an intense, front-loaded experience. The Connecticut Broadleaf's dark chocolate and coffee notes arrive immediately and don't let up — there's none of the slow build you get in a SakaKhan or Ancho Largo. The Nicaraguan core's black pepper and earth show up through the retrohale from the first draw, and the finish is rich and somewhat concentrated. Strength is firmly medium-full.

The Gordita smokes comfortably in 45–55 minutes, making it the right choice for a morning break, a quick session between tasks, or an after-lunch palate-cleanser before moving on with the day. It's available in 20-count boxes, keeping it practical as a daily humidor staple. For wrapper depth, visit our maduro vs. Connecticut guide. See how short-format cigars compare in our strength and format guide, and log your Gordita sessions on Casa DNC.