Bandolero Pack II

Nelson Alfonso is an artist from Cuba who is responsible for the Behike design, but he is also a cigar manufacturer with brands made in Costa Rica. Some of his cigars have rated amongst the highest of anything we smoked. The Atabey and Byron are his signature cigars, but often over looked is the more affordable Bandolero.

Available as the Pack II (lighter wrapper, medium body) and the Pack III (medium-full, darker wrapper) the sticks have a unique story behind them.

Cigar history has followed a difficult path between crime and pleasure. Demonized on arrival to Europe, in which latter tobacco trade was monopolized.

During a century, between 1717 & 1817, the Spanish Crown prohibited cigar production in the Caribbean Islands & the rest of the American Colonies, and although its precious leaves continued growing on the other side of the ocean, the “puro” cigar rolling that we all know today, could only be done at the Sevilla Royal Factory, supplying an even more demanding market in the world.

But such absurd prerogative led to the rising prices of tobacco and of course the birth of the Bandolero, an intrepid figure that hid on mysterious roads with tobacco leaves & rolled in other countries, led to an excellent price and authenticity combination, dressed with the charm of what was then forbidden.

The cigars that we offer here today know the secrets of those mystic Bandoleros old routes, from places where tobacco plantation still a long tradition, thru countries where wise hands shaped them, until its final destination, where a cigar expert recognizes its aroma and flavor – the quality of a unique product.

Cigar Review: Bandolero Pack II
Size: 5.5 x 50 (Soberbios)
Wrapper: Not Disclosed
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Strength: Medium
Source: United Cigar Group

The Look: Instead of coming in a box, the Bandolero comes in a jar made of aluminum. Each jar contains humidification making this an easy cigar to store. The caramel colored wrapper is flawless and exquisitely rolled. The band on the Bandolero has chestnut, gold and black with the brand name and the ring gauge. The cigar has a nice weight to it and no soft spots with a well packed foot.

The Notes: The foot of the cigar has elements of nutmeg, with a subtle spice that tingles my nostrils. Once the cigar is clipped the cold draw has some notes of nuts, vanilla and caramel. Each note is subtle but tantalizes and teases the palate.

The first third of the cigar was smooth with elements of wood and wheat. In fact, I would pair this with a wheat based beer when smoking it. Through the nose there is some sweetness and spice and the aroma as the cigar progress tends to remind me of graham crackers.

In the second third of the cigar, the aroma of graham cracker is now matched by the flavor of the Bandolero. There is some continued wood and nuts as the cigar picks up a slight leather finish. Through the nose the cigar has a citrus like element to it.

Moving into the last third of the Bandolero Series II; there is a building of spice and elements of nutmeg. Occasionally there is a wisp of vanilla that is fleeting but enjoyable for the brief moments it appears. The finish is moderate with wood and leather.

The Burn: The Bandolero had a marble like ash with dark and light elements that held on for a quarter of the cigar at a time. The draw was flawless with the right amount of resistance. Smoke production was average and the cigar which had an even burn remained lit from first light to last puff.

The Finish: Let’s face it, Nelson Alfonso’s cigars can be expensive but the Bandolero provides and entry-level to some of the best cigars made in my opinion. The Atabey and Byron both have that decisive wow factor and in comparison this cigar that delivers is a good way to try his cigars before putting down that hard-earned cash on a super premium cigar. One of my go to cigars, Bandolero deserves a shot at space in your humidor.

Score: 92
Price: $12.49