Atabey Black Ritos started off as the idea of Oliver Nivaud from United Cigar, later turned into a discussion with Nelson Alfonso, and pushed over the line by Nelson Alfonso, Jr., the very first NFT cigar was born.
On April 1, 2021, what some believed to be an April Fools joke was real, or kind of. OpenSea, a digital NFT trading platform, still unknown to most of the cigar community, Atabey Black Ritos came to life as a digital asset, a cigar that didn’t exist in physical form (to our knowledge) but as a non-fungible token (NFT). I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that this was not a money grab for Nelson Alfonso or Oliver Nivaud, the proceeds for the NFT were for Cigar Rights of the World.
On the Eve of Thanksgiving, November 22, 2023, what was not physical became real. The Atabey Black Ritos cigar just as the NFT states measures 6 1/8 x 55 and showcasing a dark Ecuador wrapper. The look of the cigar was simply gorgeous, seamless, and luxurious. Atabey always has a beautiful appearance but with this darker wrapper in contrast, the gold and silver on the band pops even more.
An easy cold draw proves the craftsmanship of the construction and the flavors of well-aged tobacco. This cigar, just like all Atabey cigars, is released after the finished cigar rests for 5 full years. That means this cigar was finished in 2018, which means it was made 2 years before the NFT was announced. Yes, this project has been in the works for over 5 years. Spice tingles on my lips and crisp clean tobacco flavor on my tongue.
After lighting Atabey Black Ritos I immediately notice the aromatic quality of this cigar, as my tastebuds dance the aroma busts with flavor. Ginger, cinnamon, and licorice jump out front.
Second third of Atabey Black Ritos makes some subtle changes. Hints of black pepper and a sweet caramel finish, and the familiar note of the five cedars and French oak found in the Alfonso line also in the Selected Tobacco portfolio. Again, the aromatic quality of this cigar is outstanding. The final third brings to notice the perfect burn throughout, white ash and the benefits of the post rolled aging. I smoked this cigar until I couldn’t hold it any longer, it was that great. 
My overall impression on Atabey Black Ritos is that whereas the regular Atabey is my all-time favorite cigar, Atabey Black Ritos is even more interesting, with other flavors notes not found in the natural version. I would put this cigar against the best cigars ever created in the world.
The price is what some would call high at $50 per cigar but if you put that against every other NFT cigar created after Atabey Black Ritos, it is a much better deal, and although I have not smoked every one of the others yet, as a betting man, I will put this against any one of them and frankly against any other cigar ever created. That is a bold statement!
Final Score: 98 out of 100 (I believe this is the highest score I have even given a cigar).
Strength: 5 out of 10
Because there were five Thursdays in November and The Cigar Authority S.T.A.R.S. only produce four reviews each month, we tapped in David Garofalo, host on The Cigar Authority Podcast, to do the review.
Price: $50 per single, $1,249.99 per box of 25
Currently, Atabey Black Ritos is only available to cigar retailers who own the NFT Box and United Cigar brands cigar lounges.
