Nelson Alfonso is a rising star in the cigar industry who is most famous for his design on the Cohiba Behike among other Cuban brands. Here in the USA, he is known as the creator of the Padron humidor as well as the owned of Selected Tobaccos which makes Atabey. Bandolero and today’s review Byron.
The cigar which we discussed on last weeks The Cigar Authority podcast is a new line extension of the Serie Siglo XIX which is designed to taste like a Cuban cigar of the 19th century according to Selected Tobacco. The press release states that the new size; 6 x 56 features a tweaked blend with a higher priming of tobaccos to compensate for the large size.
Cigar: Byron
Size: 6 x 56 (Grand Poemas)
Wrapper: Non Disclosed
Binder: Non Disclosed
Filler: Non Disclosed
Strength: Medium Plus
Source: Selected Tobaccos
The Look: Packaged in what I believe to be the best looking tube in the cigar industry that also serves as a functioning humidor the Byron is a modern masterpiece of a classic cigar brand. Inside the tube, the cigar has 3 cigar bands and a sheath of cedar. The primary band features Lord Byron for whom the cigar is named after, the second band denotes 5 Anos (how long the tobacco has been aged) and the third band over the cedar denoting Selected Tobaccos. The cigar has a flawless wrapper with a nice amount of oils and minimal veins. In the hand the cigar is firm with an above average weight.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Byron Serie Siglo XIX has hints of pistachio of and earth. The pistachios are intoxicating to say the least. The aroma off of the foot has a caramel and mocha to it albeit faint.
Once the cigar is toasted and fully lit the cigar delivers a slight molasses that grows until it hits its peek as the first third comes to a close. There is some pepper through the nose which made me sneeze a couple of times as well as a wood and coffee notes.
In the second third of the Grand Poemas from Byron the cigar becomes a flavor bomb with a lot going on. There is pepper through the nose along with a wonderful wood aroma. Theres is also a hint of graham crackers with the molasses becoming more of a honey like sweetness. There is also a slightly vegetal component that lingers in the background.
The last third of the Byron mellows some becoming sweet with hints of caramel and floral notes with a warm gingerbread like aroma and through the nose.
The Burn: The burn of the cigar was nice and slow with a fluid draw. The thin carbon line reveals a light color ash that is firm and holds on for almost half of the cigar. The cigar remained lit all the way through and the bands removed with ease.
The Finish: While a bit of a slow starter compared to the other sizes of the line, the Grand Poemas becomes an epic cigar in the second third that makes it stand with the other sizes of the line if not one step ahead. Despite its huge price tag this is a cigar that delivers and becomes my favorite in the Series XIX and my second favorite of the overall brand. For those who want t know my favorite is the Londinenses and easily a top 10 cigar that I have ever smoked.
Score: 96
Price: $33.00
Byron Serie Siglo Grand Poemas
Byron Serie Siglo Grand Poemas Foot
Byron Serie Siglo Grand Poemas Burn
