There are a few great cigars in our industry that should be given as a gift, or smoked on a special occasion. One such cigar is the Byron from Nelson Alfonso’s Selected Tobacco. Today I am lighting up the Byron Habaneros as the recipient of a gift from a customer who called in to purchase one of these luxurious smokes with the sole purpose of handing it of to me.
Cigar: Byron Serie Siglo XX
Size: Habaneros (6 x 56)
Wrapper: Not Disclosed
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Strength: Medium
Source: Nelson Alfonso
The Look: The Byron Habanero comes one of three ways, you can get them as a single cigar, in a 3 pack where each cigar is packaged in a reusable humidified cigar tube, or in a box that is also a fully functional humidor complete with a built-in hygrometer. For today’s cigar we are smoking the Habaneros that comes packaged in a tube that is canary yellow with a picture of the poet Lord Byron. The cigar which has been aged for 5 years features a light color wrapper that reminds me of toffee. In the hand the cigar is firm, with no voids of tobacco and a well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Byron Habaneros has some sweetness to it with a hint of crackers, specifically oyster crackers. After the second pull on the cigar, the cold draw is reminiscent of mocha and caramel. The aroma off the foot of the cigar has some similar notes to it an a touch of earth. After we take the time to toast the cigar the initial draw offers up a touch of figs.
Moving on the first third of the Byron Habaneros the fig note slides into the background as cedar becomes abundant with some subtle caramel sweetness especially on the aroma of the cigar. The retrohale of the cigar has a roasted coffee bean component to it and it helps bring out some cinnamon on the finish of the cigar as well.
The second third sees the sweetness of the cigar fade away as a citrus note begins to develop although it remains secondary to the cedar notes that continue from the first third. At the halfway point of the cigar, some cashew notes begin to develop. Through the nose the cedar remains with a touch of vanilla bean on this exquisite cigar.
The last third of the Byron Habaneros sees the wood note become dominant with some sweetness remaining through the nose. As the cigar comes to a close there are still hints of cedar, vanilla bean, coffee and cashews. The retrohale is smooth and it intensifies the notes of the last third ten-fold.
The Finish: Any cigar in the Byron Series is a tale of two cities. On one hand it’s one of the best cigars on the market, the other being Atabey. On the other hand, unless you have a six figure job, this cigar can’t be an everyday cigar. In fact after today, I will need to smoke another Byron for my second cigar of the day because all else will pale in comparison. I’ll probably have to reset my palate tomorrow as well, because that cigar won’t be satisfying. Selected Tobacco quite simply takes cigar smoking to the next level.
Score: 97
Price: $33.00 (Single) / $98.99 (3 Pack) / $824.99 (Box)
Byron Habanero
Byron Habanero Foot
Byron Habanero Burn
