Nelson Alfonso, a name that most cigar smokers don’t know but are very familiar with. He is a Cuban artist who is responsible for the rebranding of Cohiba, specifically the Behike line. He has also done countless other packaging for Habanos S.A. and is the man behind Selected Tobacco which is distributed in the USA by United Cigar.
The Atabey line is most known by its visible packaging, and our friends at Cigar Aficionado said the cigar itself is worthy of the ornate packaging it comes in. Today we review one of those cigars that comes packaged in a jar, or in some cases a humiditube which keeps the cigar properly humidified.
Cigar Review; Atabey
Size: 5.75 x 55 (Delirios)
Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Strength: Mild
Source: United Cigar Group
The Look: At first glance the Atabey looks like a Cohiba, but it is obviously different as well. The gold and black band features an interpretation of the Goddess Atabey who was prayed to by a group (Cohiba) who relayed their prayers to the Behike. The Behike would then offer those prayers to the goddess. The golden brown wrapper that adorns the cigar is virtually flawless and seamlessly rolled. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots, and above average weight. There is an abundance of oils present and the foot appears to be well packed.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Atabey Delirios is a cross between molasses and the powder like coating of a Necco wafer. There is some faint earth present as well along with a butter richness. The aroma off the foot of the cigar serves up heavy notes of molasses and fig. The cold draw delivers the notes that I love the most, but the question is how does it smoke once it is lit.
Once the cigar is lit, there is some syrupy sweetness with subtle notes of earth (specifically grass). As we move deeper into the first third of the cigar there is a rich buttery finish with a slight lemon like note on the retro hale. The moderate finish of the cigar is that of molasses.
As we enter the second third of the cigar the molasses becomes the focal point of the cigar and while the butter like richness remains there’s a component that reminds me of warm bread that slowly takes over around the half way point of the cigar. The lemon note remains not he retrohale and the finish of the cigar reminds me of freshly made sponge cake.
The last third of the Atabey Delirios begins to lose some of the sweetness as some notes of coffee begin to develop making me wish I had a cup of Cuban Coffee. There is some earth present as well with grass notes that was experienced in the first third. Through the nose the cigar remains some wood notes emerge and the cigar has a moderate finish.
The Burn: A slow burning cigar with a razor-sharp and ultra thin combustion line with a light gray ash. The Atabey burns as you would expect a cigar of this price to burn. The ash held on for the first half of the cigar before rolling it off in the ashtray. The draw iconic, and it burned from first light to last puff.
The Finish: While the Delirios doesn’t get the 100 rating the Brujos did; it still ranks pretty hight. The difference for me is the size as a 55 ring is just outside my comfort zone. Should this play into the rating, I believe so because the Brujos smokes differently due to the filler to wrapper ratio. Still the flavors of the tobacco are epic, and the cigar is outstanding. It remains one of the best brands I have ever smoked and most likely will ever be luck enough to enjoy.
Score: 95
Price: $29.99
Atabey Delirios
Atabey Delirios Foot
Atabey Delirios Burn
