The Atabey Black Ritos, originally announced and sold as a "virtual cigar" in the form of an NFT in 2021, is making it's way to the real world in the latter half of 2023. After going through Selected Tobacco owner Nelson Alfonso’s five year aging process, the cigars are now ready to be enjoyed in United Cigar Lounges across the US. Atabey Black Ritos claimed to be the first NFT cigar in the world, limited to 25 single cigar and 10 boxes as unique digital images. The Atabey Black Ritos NFT sales proceeds were raised for Cigar Rights of the World. Now, the real life cigar will be featured at PCA 2023 in Las Vegas, NV with a scheduled ship time to retailers in December 2023.
This is such a handsome cigar, it was so well constructed. From the wrapper to the roll it was picture perfect. There were no soft spots, burn issues, and the draw was perfect. The ever changing profile kept me fully engaged. This is more of a medium flavor profile with a just slightly above mild strength. If I'm being very nitpicky I personally would have liked a slightly thicker smoke; but it was in no way thin or wispy. From a price stand point this is definitely more of a special occasion cigar but I would highly recommend one.
Next week, Selected Tobacco is launching a new blend in the Byron portfolio at the Byron Cigar Lounge in Schaumburg, IL. The Byron 1850 line was created to celebrate almost 175 years of the Byron family line. Selected Tobacco was created by Nelson Alfonso to offer cigars that are aged with a purpose. All the Selected Tobacco lines are placed into cedar lined rooms after they are rolled, the cigars are “cleaned” as they age with cedar notes. Humidity is raised and lowered to allow the cigars to breathe for 2 to 5 years, depending on the line.
Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco has announced that his Atabey Limited Edition Humidor will finally go on sale at PCA 2023. The item was first shown off at last years PCA show, but the company wasn't ready to take orders on it yet. Each luxury humidor with gold trim and black gloss finish contains sixty Atabey cigars, five of each size in the portfolio. The sizes included are Hechizos 4 x 40, Divinos 4 2/5 x 50, Idolos 4 x 55, Brujos 5 x 52, Sabios 5 1/4 x 52, Delirios 5 3/4 x 55, Duendes 6 1/8 x 54 (Torpedo), Spiritus 7 x 40, Ritos 6 1/8 x 55, Misticos 6 3/4 x 56, Dioses 8 x 50, and Benditos 7 1/4 x 58.
Vintage is a term that is at times misunderstood and overused. However when Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco releases blends with 5 years of post-roll age decorated by a uniquely designed humidor, the term is fitting. Byron using a unique distinction for their lines. Each line is named after a century, because Nelson tried to capture the true essence of what a great cigar was, or is, in that century. This year’s edition of Byron Humidors are limited to one size in each blend, with only 7,500 cigars rolled for each “century”; the Byron cigar line has a “century” interpretation for any cigar enthusiast.
"Very good cigar. Since this was a flavor over strength type of cigar, this is another winner in my book. If I smoke a cigar that is sweet, creamy, woody and nutty, I will always like it. The only let down were the pockets of bitterness. I am going to bet on the bitterness subsiding after some additional humidor time. Fiver for me to smoke when the bitterness subsides." -Jiunn (jliu)
"Overall this was an enjoyable cigar. It makes me wonder if the draw was on point, how much better it may have been, The chocolate notes in the prelight, that didn't appear until later in the cigar would have made this cigar a star from start to finish. I will be interested to see what it is and see if it comes in a smaller size, as I typically do not have the 2+ hours of time required to smoke this monster. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience" -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Selected Tobacco has announced the Alfonso Gran Selección for PCA 2023 in Las Vegas. The Alfonso Gran Selección is the followup to the Alfonso Añejo that debuted at last year’s trade show. Alfonso Gran Selección blend uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, with Pervian binder, and Dominican and Nicarguan fillers. The Alfonso Gran Selección will be available in five sizes; Exclusivos (6 x 54 Torpedo), Preciosos (7 1/2 x 40), Estelares (5 1/2 x 54), Enormes (6 1/2 x 60), and Grandiosos (8 x 50).
(United States) United Cigar, exclusive U.S. Distributor of Nelson Alfonso’s Selected Tobacco
Brands announced today that a new Byron size will be available at the 2016 IPCPR trade show
in Las Vegas on July 25, 2016.
This was a great cigar! I don't get into the hype of $30, $50 or even $100 cigars, but this Atabey Spiritus was amazing! The draw was a bit snug, but I can't blame that on the the cigar I don't think. This was given to my by the BMP's staff to review. The construction was spot on, but by the end of the second half the head started to come off a bit, again that might have been my user and I just got it too wet. Overall this cigar greeted me with lots and lots of sweetness with hay, and honey. It tipped the scales of medium, but just barely and only briefly. This was an elegant cigar that could be enjoyed at any time of the day, but I think in the morning would be the best or late at night as your last cigar of the day. They are not inexpensive, but if you get the chance I cannot recommend Atabey enough.