Alfonso Gran Selección Estelares Cigar Review The Alfonso Gran Selección is the highly anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed Alfonso Añejo, bringing a new level of refinement to the Selected Tobacco portfolio. Crafted with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Peruvian binder and a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, this cigar undergoes a meticulous five-year aging process in cedar-lined rooms, followed by a final stage of refinement in French Oak. The result is a cigar […]
Atabey Ritos is one of the most beloved blends of Nelson Alfonso’s Selected Tobacco portfolio . The name Atabey has rich cultural roots tied to the Taino Indians and their cigar rituals. The Taino tribe would gather in a circle known as “Cohiba” to offer prayers to their leader, Behike, who would then convey these prayers to the Goddess Atabey. This historical significance is embedded in each Atabey cigar, creating a unique and sacred smoking […]
Bandolero Picaros, unveils its rich history dating back to the 18th century when the Spanish Crown’s cigar production ban spurred the creation of the renowned “puro” cigar. This Ecuadorian-wrapped cigar, with an undisclosed binder and a blend of Peruvian Ligero and secret filler tobacco, exemplifies Bandolero’s commitment to authenticity and affordability compared to its sister brands Atabey, Byron, and Alfonso. In terms of appearance, the Bandolero Picaros is a visual delight – a dark brown […]
Hudson, NH – Selected Tobacco forced to miss PCA 2024. Selected Tobacco, a leading name in the premium cigar industry, regrets to inform its valued partners, colleagues, and enthusiasts that it will not have a booth at the 2024 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in Las Vegas this year. The unfortunate circumstances arose during the 2023 PCA from Spain’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) restrictions, that have impacted international travel plans for Nelson […]
The Byron 1850 No. 4 is a true testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of Nelson Alfonso. Created to celebrate 175 years of Byron, this cigar offers a luxurious experience in every puff. With its dimensions measuring 5 inches in length and a 50-ring gauge, it boasts a perfect balance between size and smoke production. Upon first inspection, the appearance of the cigar is captivating. The wrapper, a beautiful chocolate brown shade, shines with an […]
Atabey comes to us from Nelson Alfonso’s Selected Tobacco and it’s story should be known by all. It begins with the Taino Indians who would sit in a circle called a Cohiba where they would send their prayers to the leader of the tribe known as the Behike. He would then take those prayers and offer them to the Goddess Atabey. For me, Atabey is the most iconic brand in existence today and it has […]
The World Cigar Smoking Championship by Rocky Patel ushers in a new decade for the Cigar Smoking World Championship. The Cigar Smoking World Championship is an international competition of “slow smoking” of cigars. Competitors compete in how slow they can smoke their cigar with time penalties given for such things as breaking your ash or burning the competition ring (cigar band). The official size of the competition is the 5 1/8 x 42 Mareva which, in 2019, was smoked non-stop from the initial light for 3 […]
There are cigars, and then there are cigars. For me Atabey is a cigar that stands above all else. It’s a cigar that has consistently gotten a 100 rating here on The Cigar Authority and it has gotten accolades by others in the industry as well. At the 2019 IPCPR Atabey introduced a new size to the market named Idolos which measures 4 x 55. The name Idolos as you would guess translates to Idols. […]
If you ask our own David Garofalo what his favorite cigar is, without hesitation he will say Atabey. If you ask him what his least favorite size is, he will answer just as fast, Lancero. Talk about the conundrum this cigar created. Now on the other hand if you ask me those same questions this would be the dream cigar in theory. However, does that theory hold up? Today we put the theory to the […]
I was rummaging through the humidor this morning looking for a cigar I haven’t had in a while. As soon as I saw a Via Havana peek out under some other sticks in my collection, I dug it out. These cigars come out of the country of Costa Rica and are made by a company called Cuba Rica Tabaclera, a brand which makes several different high quality blends. What am I Smoking? Cigar: Via Havana […]