Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Peruvian, Undisclosed
Size: 6.125 x 55 Toro
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $37.00

These cigars have 6 years of box aging. My cigars received 2 months of naked humidor time.

BACKGROUND:
Rather than be a boor ass, I will send you to Blind Man’s Puff as they have provided a very nice pictorial description of this cigar and other Byron entries from 2023. Check it out.

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
A cigar that arrives with 6 years of aging. I love it when someone else does the heavy lifting. Of course, you pay a premium for the service.

I know, I know…another expensive cigar. Price gouging is just something we will be forced to accept for the next few years. I’ll get back to reviewing the affordable $17 cigars shortly. I bought 3-cigar Byron samplers from SBC. I smoked my first 2018 Elegante a few days ago and all I could think about is telling my readers what a great cigar. Once again, I’ve blown my cover. But I promise to say ‘fuck’ 14 times and tell two BJ stories. So, find Waldo.

The draw is wonderful. I hear sobbing. No surprise. My PerfecDraw has serious anxiety issues. The only mental health professional I could find to counsel my ailing PD is an out of work Xikar torch lighter. The blind leading the blind.

Normally, a cigar smells like barnyard…with sidebar notes of fertilizer. But this baby is a delicate concoction of cinnamon, caramel, berries, and chocolate cream. Just lovely.

These cigars come in 25 count humidor/boxes for $925. But you are not charged an extra $1000 for the pseudo fancy box. Cigars are still only $37. A deal. Only $37.

Instantaneous relief. Second try and it’s even better as the first cigar of the day. Creaminess, chocolate, white pepper, malt, salted caramel, brown sugar, and buttered toast. Some cigars waste their entire lives trying to achieve this little feat.

OK. I give this cigar 100. And I’m ½” into it. It’s not fair. That you gotta pay this much for a brilliant cigar. Six years of aging agrees with the leaf stats. Rock me mama.

Strength is medium+.

I’m sitting here stunned. Flavors cascade and collapse on themselves like baklava. The layers are thin and delicate. No slap in the panim.

The cigar forces you to go slow. A very intense thing is going on. If you were to herf this stick with friends at the club, you’d all be dazed and confused as you searched for words that are no longer important. I wish I was a true wordsmith to describe this. But alas, I’m just a hack.

Creaminess proliferates my mouth as if I’m gargling with clotted cream. Milk chocolate and raspberries are fucking insane. Lemon citrus enters. No surprise flavors. Just done so expertly that it makes similar blends blush with apologies. Like a rolling stone.

Wisps of salted caramel enter and retreat like an operatic diva. Sips of my Costa Rican/Ethiopian coffee enhance it. Any idea how hard it is to build a giant flying ship and make it taste like a Corona? A dazzling accomplishment. I’ve got one more stick. I shall treasure it.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck…that’s 7.

I spent a couple weeks on a bison ranch in Ensign Kansas in the early 80’s. Most of you were just sperm back then. All manner of buffalo was eaten…I’m sated for the rest of my life. Ever have a baby buffalo suck on your finger? Memories of the women I dated…

7500 cigars were rolled. No idea how many are available in samplers. Paying $925 for the box of 25 is a big commitment. The rip-off My Father/Tatuaje La Union $2400/$60 nightmare was sold out nearly immediately. Ha.

Look at this photo. Beautiful burn. Beautiful golden rod:

2” in and the lemony sweetness surges. There is forward progression with every puff but there are substantial demarcation points. It feels like a sweet spot is found every inch. When you are flustered by a virtuoso smoke, it takes a real expert to describe feelings. I guess I should leave explaining feelings to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They seem to be consumed by them.

I spoke to Dr. Rod the other day. He is recovering from botched penile implant surgery. Until the swelling goes down, he doesn’t know if he has a bigger dick or a small vagina. The wait is killing him.

I’m listening to the Bob Dylan station. Don’t make fun of me.

How rare is it that a cigar with only two months of humi time brings you a velvety experience.

Strength is medium/full. Many blends such as this find themselves in mild/medium territory. They have their own personality despite leaves hailing from similar locales. This is where gifted blenders thrive. Casdagli, IGM, Byron, HVC, and Lampert live in rarefied air.

Candied lemon, caramel creaminess, chocolate malt, aromatic coffee beans, blackberries, aged cedar, smoky brisket, and honeysuckle bring in the second half.

Is this cigar worth $37? I don’t know. If the madness of 2024 was not in full swing, I’d say no.

But…this Byron is exquisite in all manner of things we love about cigars. It is super complex. Aged 6 years. Bountifully rich. Giant recesses of subtleties, nuances, and jack in the box flavor points. This cigar brings its own identity to the table. And if you’ve got the dough, fuck yeah. I’d love to have a box of these fine cigars.

Slim Pickens. Shot in the belly. ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.’

Not a flavor bomb. Elements keep circling the wagons. Evolution and advancement headline. Not a single boring moment. Distractions melt away. If I fawn anymore my keyboard will turn into burnt sugar.

The second half is better than a BJ on a moving train.

I’m going to finish this hunka’ hunka’ burning smokeable artwork in peace.

I have the other Byron ‘Century’ blends waiting in the wings to be reviewed.

Fuck, fuck, fuck…I need 3 more to complete the promise but I can’t think of any appropriate way to use them. I owe you a BJ story.

You can purchase these cigars from sponsors Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’) and Luxury Cigar Club (15% off with promo code ‘katman’).

RATING: 100 That’s right…perfect.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: byron 21st, Byron 21st Century Elegantes 2018 Vintage Limited Edition | Cigar Reviews by the Katman, byron cigars, cigar review, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, elegantes 2018, katman, phil kohn, selected tobaccos