Wrapper: Undisclosed

Binder: Undisclosed

Filler: Undisclosed

Vitola: Ritos (6 1/8 x 55)

Purchase Link: Atabey

ATABEY REVIEW – CALIFORNIA

Summary:  This cigar looks so much like a cigar that it could be fake. The cap even looks like it was cut and applied by miniature Lego men -- flawless.  First few puffs offer cream, caramel, and white pepper on the retro hale.  Hay and butter.  A dusting of chocolate joins the ensemble as smoke billows from this golden dragon.  Two inches down and the predominant flavor shifts to nuttiness while still maintaining its caramel sweetness and creaminess.  This dude at the lounge just sat down next to me and my smoke is literally shrouding his face like Mount Sinai and I don't think he cares.  I know I wouldn't; this stick is so good he should be thanking me.

Entering the second third, I'm met with creamed corn (nice to meet you, too).  There are floral notes in the smoke cascading from the cast of ash.  Strawberry and caramel corn.  I haven't had to pick up my lighter once.

Final third transitions from a light creaminess to wood and fig.  Roses giving me a riser.  Cherries, chocolate, and cedar.  Finis.

If You Like That, You Might Like This:  The Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

Pairing Suggestion:  Bourbon.

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend:  Box.

Read what our Panel thought of last week's La Gianna

ATABEY REVIEW – WISCONSIN

Summary:  Usually I start by talking about flavors, but this time I'm going to switch it up to point out that the construction on this cigar was absolutely flawless. The draw was perfect, the burn needed no attention whatsoever to keep a straight line through the cigar's entire length. It held its ash like a champ. Smoke billowed from it. A perfect score for construction.

The flavors held up their end of the bargain, too. It started with grass, hay, lemon, cereal grain, and light pepper. As it moved along, it added a lot more creamy and bready notes and lost the grass flavor. There was a little sweetness and a little spice, and those worked together nicely. Near the halfway point it added an interesting meatiness. I enjoyed all of the flavors, and I enjoyed how they worked together.

If You Like That, You Might Like This:  Waking up nice and slowly on a weekend; it just feels right.

Pairing Suggestion:  A big ol' coffee.

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend:  Box.

Read what our Panel thought of Davidoff's newest Winston Churchill edition

ATABEY REVIEW – OREGON

Summary:  This smooth, Toro sized, Connecticut wrapped cigar offers notes of dry hay and hints of caramel on the cold draw. 
Just like that, boom!  This Connie deals out some pepper and hits a little harder than you’d expect.  Light cedar flavors, smooth leather, and cashew make up the main event with pepper making itself known mainly in the retro hale. A flair of citrus weaves in and out of the mix but, combined with the smooth leather it comes across the palate with a creamy taste.  I’m also getting some notes of bread mixed with a spiciness...overall, really nice.  The retro hale on this cigar is amazing.  It’s also scoring well in construction points with a nice straight burn and a solid looking ash.
Moving through the middle with more creamy citrus and a bit of sweetness.  There’s still a nice spice to it and a fresh bread finish on the palate.  The dense retro haled smoke is full of more citrus and pepper, providing a very enjoyable experience.  These notes held right through the end!  Not an overly complex cigar, but with zero construction issues and a downright diamond flavor profile, buy high and never sell.

If You Like That, You Might Like This:  Royal Flush hands on the flop.

Pairing Suggestion:  Coffee...all day.

Purchase Recommendation to a Friend:  Box purchase.

Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process. 

View Atabey Cigars