According to the Bandolero website; “Cigar history has followed a difficult path between crime and pleasure. Demonized on arrival to Europe, in which latter tobacco trade was monopolized. The success of the tobacco expansion is explained by the attempts of [being] controlled.”
This past weekend Nelson Alfonso was a guest on The Cigar Authority where it was disclosed that the smaller the size, the stronger the cigar and David Garofalo told me to try the Bandolero size being reviewed here today.
Cigar Review: Bandolero
Size: 5 x 50 (Traviesos/Petit Belicoso)
Wrapper: Not Disclosed
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Strength: Medium
The Look: The oily wrapper on the Bandolero is chestnut-brown in color and the band of black, brown and gold with some silver on the backside gives the appearance of luxury. The band denotes Tobaccos Bandolero Seleccion Especial and the number 50 for the ring gauge. The cigar is flawlessly rolled with no seams and exception coloring. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Bandolero has a sweetness to it that borders on maple syrup and molasses with a slight hint of tobacco in the background.
One the cigar is lit there is a faint wood note that bordered on mahogany and the reason I say this is that it taste like the smell of mahogany which I got to experience over the course of the last week. There is some also some notes of tangerine and dark chocolate.
Moving into the second third I can pick up some of the tangerine on the aroma. The cigar continues with notes of chocolate and wood but some espresso is added to the mix.
The last third of the cigar might jus be the best. The tangerine note fades away and the dark chocolate transitions into a rich mocha. There is continues wood and espresso with a touch of raisin on the finish of this exceptional smoke.
The Burn: A slow burning cigar with an exceptional burn and thin combustion line, the Bandolero serves up the perfect amount of resistance on the draw. The medium color ash doesn’t hold well dropping off in half-inch increments. The cigar remained lit from first light to last puff.
Overall: I was surprised to hear that the strength of the cigar varies based on the size of the cigar due to tweaks in the blend. The result was I now have a new favorite size in the Bandolero and that is the Traviesos which is surprising to me since I usually stay away from belicoso cigars. Smooth, rich and flavorful the Bandolero cigar is yet another masterpiece from Selected Tobaccos.
Score: 94
Price: $11.99
Bandolero
Bandolero
