Selected Tobacco Bandolero Serie A (Aventureros) Sagaces – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Selected Tobacco (distributed by United Cigars) chose the name Bandolero by going back to a bit of cigar history between 1717 and 1817. The Spanish Crown forbid cigar production outside of their own Sevilla Royal Factory. This monopoly led to an increase in the price of tobacco and the creation of the Bandolero. The Bandolero was an fearless smuggler who bootlegged tobacco leaves and rolled them in other countries. These cigars were sold at a much more reasonable price and carried the charm of what was then forbidden, similar to today's Cuban cigars.

The Serie A sets itself apart from the other Bandolero lines by having a darker wrapper than the Serie C which has a red hue to it, and the Serie T which is a shade between the two. The Serie A, or Aventureros, line offers a fuller-bodied experience than the other blends. The blend uses an Ecuadorian wrapper, undisclosed binder, and undisclosed leaf along with Peruvian Seco filler. It comes in boxes of 25 and four sizes: Salvajes: 4 1/8 x 50, Audaces: 4 1/2 x 54, Osados: 5 x 42, and Sagaces: 5 3/8 x 46. All of the cigars have been aged for 2 years before being sold.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5 3/8″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Undisclosed
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed, Peruvian Seco
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Nelson Alfonso
Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) John A. (Bostoneo) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $11.99
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: 2021
Contributed by: United Cigars

Initial Impressions – Selected Tobacco Bandolero Serie A (Aventureros) Sagaces

Appearance: 92

“This sample is presented in a corona gorda format and is sporting a rich, dark chocolate-colored wrapper leaf with a few prominent veins and a distinctly toothy feel. I think it would be fair to call it rustic.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Aroma: 90

“Earth and pepper dominate the aroma, while there's a slight bit of oak to it as well.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The initial flavors were chock full of heavy, fresh cracked black peppercorn and lightly charred hardwood. After a few puffs, the pepper faded dramatically on my palate and left me with toasted almonds and burnt sugar. What a change! Through the nose, the smoke is still heavily peppered but just shy of the point of overpowering. So many contrasts in the early going that my palate is literally spinning!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“On the cold draw, I get oats, salt, and a hint of cinnamon. I'm about an inch in and this cigar has really settled down. I am getting mild strength with plenty of sweet coffee and cream flavors mixed with some black pepper on the finish of the retro.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The flavors are mostly unchanged from the first third but there is an added richness to the profile. Stone fruit, red pepper, mineral, and cedar are really the core of the profile but I am picking up notes of dark chocolate from time to time.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Moving into the second third, the medium-bodied profile stays intact with leather, earth, and peppered cream. The construction and burn have been excellent so far without the hint of any defects or issues thus far. The profile on this third remains very consistent and provides a pleasing and relaxing experience.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The final portion gave a complete flavor shift again and lost all of the toasted nuttiness. Instead, the charred hardwood returned in spades and washed away the wonderful sweetness that was the finishing note until now. Instead of sweet, the finish is lingering charred wood and a touch of strong espresso. Through the nose the smoke is more sharp pepper and has become limiting in my ability to retrohale.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“There is more of a spice finish for the final third. Notes of mineral, cedar, baking chocolate, stone fruit, and red pepper finish out the cigar.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Impressions – Selected Tobacco Bandolero Serie A (Aventureros) Sagaces

Draw: 93

“Easy flow for an excellent smoking experience.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Burn: 89

“I did have quite a few relights, but no more than if I was in a cigar lounge and holding conversations and having to relight it, so no complaints.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Construction: 90

“I really enjoyed the rustic look of this cigar and couldn't have expected anything more in regard to performance. The ash held on in solid two-inch chunks and never fell off on its own. I wouldn't be surprised if it could have competed in a long ash contest… very impressive!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 88

“I really enjoyed this cigar. The draw was fantastic, the smoke output was rich and creamy, and the short size was perfect for the straightforward profile. If the price point is reasonable I could see myself picking up a ten-pack of these.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Overall this was a good cigar. It started out kind of strong, but after the first inch or so it mellowed out and gave me nice sweet coffee and cream notes. By the second third the cigar decided to introduce me to black pepper which really complimented the sweetness. When the final third came I was greeted with spice that tingled my lips. I would definitely smoke this again and maybe purchase a fiver.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“I'm amazed at the shifts in flavor and strength I experienced in this very well-constructed little cigar. I can see this pairing well with a strong barrel-aged stout or a few fingers of bourbon or scotch. This was a full-bodied flavor bomb that was oh-so-perfect to end my day! Highly recommended for full-bodied cigar aficionados!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Overall, this was a nice shorter smoke that provided a nice bouquet of medium-bodied flavors that included leather, black pepper, earth, grassy and spicy lingering notes that showed up in some larger or minor form or another as the cigar progressed. Construction proved to be very good as the burn and draw were not much of an issue at all. This is a solid medium-bodied smoke that is easily recommendable for daily smoke, I believe the expense will probably reflect that as well. Nice job!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Cigar started off with some potential but really fell off about halfway, leaving me a bit disappointed. The sweetness and saltiness that kicked things off was something I really enjoy. Maybe a different vitola would yield better results for me, which is also unfortunate as I am a big fan of this particular size. As much of a bummer as it was, the profile I did get still entices me enough to revisit it though. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 68

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Bandolero Serie A Sagaces – Blind Cigar Review