Tale and Mystery of Atatbey, Bandolero and Byron Cigars - The Nelson Alfonso Story
Posted on July 02 2020
Tale and Mystery of Atabey, Bandolero and Byron Cigars — The Nelson Alfonso Story
Have you ever smoked a cigar and thought to yourself, “Wow! I need to shake hands with the person responsible for creating this beauty.”? Those were my exact thoughts while puffing on an Atabey a few weeks back. And who would have guessed, my very next assignment would be on the legend himself?
Not only known for the recent success of Atabey, Bandolero and Byron cigars, Nelson Alfonso is also a visionary with a long list of achievements in the cigar world. From publishing “Puros Habanos” which won the best multimedia publication of Cuban cigar by Habanos SA, to branding some of the most known cigar manufactures around the world, such as Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo & Julieta, Hoyo de Monterrey. He also took first place for Innovative Packaging Design and Products at TFWA in Cannes, France for four straight years. In 2010, he successfully rebranded the famed Cohiba Behike, which became one of the most recognizable luxury cigar brands in the world.
In 2012, Nelson launched Selected Tobacco out of Costa Rica, and revealed Atabey and Bandolero cigars. He also reintroduced the Byron cigar at the IPCPR Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. Unlike the majority of cigar manufacturers, the blends for these cigars are fully undisclosed except for parts of the Byron line. Due to its enigma, there are many speculations as to what type of tobaccos are used within each blend. The consensus of the majority has been that these are some “damn good smokes”.
Here are the tales behind each cigar:
Atabey
The name Atabey came from the Taino Indians who occupied the majority part of the Caribbean Islands. Atabey is the supreme deity, mother goddess who birthed Yucahu, the male deity of the Tainos. She represents divinity of the moon, Sea of Fertility and Birth.
Since the blend of the cigar is undisclosed, there is no way for anyone to determine if the blend is the same for all vitolas. However, from what I experienced, and others have agreed on, are tasting notes of maple sweetness, nutty, creamy and coffee. The name of the vitolas are associated with the spiritual ceremonies the Tainos performed on different occasions: Idolos, Divinos, Brujos, Sabios, Delirios and Ritos.
For a full breakdown of every vitola, pricing, and how the classic line compares to Atabey Black, read our Atabey Cigars Guide and our Atabey vs Atabey Black comparison. Shop Atabey →
Bandolero
Bandolero was dedicated to tobacco during the 1700s by the Spaniards. The Spaniards forbade cigar production in the Caribbean Islands and the American colonies. To make the product even more exclusive, cigar production could only be achieved at the Sevilla Royal Factory.
I was able to enjoy a Bandolero not too long ago. Comparing my tasting notes to the majority, I experienced spice, leather, citrus and hints of chocolate in the background. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
For more on Bandolero — the most accessible line in the Selected Tobacco portfolio — read our Bandolero Cigars Guide.
Lord Byron
Byron was the original cigar line produced by Nelson’s family in the mid-19th Century. The cigar was named after a world-renowned English poet George Gordon Byron, known as Lord Byron. By the end of the 19th century, the Alfonso family encountered some major financial distress and reluctantly sold the brand to a neighbouring cigar manufacturer. After almost a century, the Alfonso family was able to reclaim the Byron brand.
Unlike the other two brands, the majority of the tobaccos used for Byron XIX Grand Poemas 2013 are revealed minus the binder, while other lines remain a mystery. What we can say is that it is a “damn good smoke”.
For a full guide to both the 19th Century and 21st Century lines — with tasting notes and verified pricing — read our Byron Cigars Guide. Shop Byron →
The Selected Tobacco portfolio
If there was a biography on Nelson Alfonso, I would without a doubt be reading it. The list of his accomplishments goes on — including him patenting the “Double Chamber humitube”. Lastly, I would urge everyone to seek out any one of his brands and experience his cigars.
All three brands — Atabey, Byron, and Bandolero — are available through Luxury Cigar Club, one of a very small number of authorised UK retailers for the Selected Tobacco portfolio.
— Kevin Sun
6 comments
I’ve only experienced four boxes of the Alfonso brands, and each vitola I was lucky to get hold of was out of this world! The construction was/is unparalleled, (the wrappers were, IMHO, outstanding…almost free of veins and perfectly rolled. I’m very anxious to smoke Atabeys and Byron’s, and have a couple boxes ordered. I really want to recommend Alfonso sticks to anyone out there…pretty much as good as it gets!
I’ve yet to experience one of these fine brands but looking forward to someday! They sound exceptional!
Great !!
Great job my friend keep up the good work Kevin!!!
Great read and very informative, I appreciate the depth of the article.
Phenomenal cigars.
Great article, I enjoyed it!