Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Dominican, Peruvian, Undisclosed
Strength: Medium
Size: 6 x 56
Price: $37.00
Cigars have 5 years of aging after being rolled. My cigars received 3 months of naked humidor time.
Limited release of 300 boxes of 25.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Walter Wallaby Wednesday.
OK. Expensive cigars. Who the fuck buys them? I have no idea.
The draw is tighter than a fish’s lips being forced to give serial BJ’s to Congressional leadership. My PerfecDraw comes out of the closet singing Ethel Merman, wearing satin tights and opera gloves. I just thought it was theatrical. Had no idea.
Some cigars just smell purty. This one sends streams of caramel and vanilla frosting hurtling towards my enormous schnoz.
Billie Jean likes its smooth start. Notes of floral, the continuation of caramel and vanilla, piquant ferret dongs, white pepper, and fresh pear.
Strength begins at a light medium. Easy as she goes. Great for that morning coffee accompaniment. You can call me Al.
Some cigars speak to me. I detect no gibberish from this Byron. A horizontal plane.
Transitions are gentle. A slip stream of effects. The key to any voyage is a sense of well-being introduced early. But along that journey, things can get really fucked up. Fingers crossed that this blend maintains an even keel. Big trunk of a cigar…long way to go.
Only a sixteenth of an inch in diameter away from being called a Gordo. Same difference. And big cigars never taste like a bitty one. Never. This giant ass cigar is fucking with my conceptuality of the universe.
‘Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone’…Mellencamp. True dat.
I hated the business aspect of music. It sucked you dry. And not in a good way.
Creaminess extraordinaire enters. Added generously by lemony mudcakes. Can I taste soil? Dunno. Sometimes I think I do. Honey pie. Nice.
In no way is this a flavor wheel. A simple throw pillow. But elegant. It’s all we ask for.
Sip of coffee.
I really only want to bring good cigars to your attention. Regardless of crowd sourcing suggestions, I don’t have the stamina to alert you to leaf bags full of shit. Nor do I want to meander in the world of 85-90. Either you get it, or you don’t. Not my gig to pander.
Super slow roll. Smart and well dressed. Refined. The subtleties lay in a tasteful approach by the blender to lull its victims into a lovely submission. I get the message.
This is a parlor cigar. Light and entertaining. Midnight rider. I tune into the birds singing outside my window. Wait. My padded room has no windows. Oh no, not again…
I had to regularly visit my jobsite in Nogales Mexico. It wasn’t a successful trip unless someone tried to jack me at least once.
If you’ve spent any significant time in a recording studio, you know the most important prodigal point of focus is ‘parts.’
The second half begins without fanfare or needed introductions. Doing the slide with the grace of Astaire. Will it moon walk? I hope so.
I can see men dressed in velvet robes with Tom Ford slippers. Sipping $220 brandy shots. Discussing the market. Laughing at the little guy’s perception of the world’s structure. And tipping the help with C notes. This is their cigar.
There aren’t significant transition points. Subtle and nuanced notes are the theme. No sudden moves.
Byron reminds me of Davidoff. Sometimes exceptionally good but sometimes smoke and mirrors. This blend took time and thought. There was no fucking around. But is it worth $37? It’s all about the mood you want to set. The blend is a guarantee. I like cigars that don’t offer surprises. Is it an old man thing? Don’t think so. I also don’t like to be disappointed. None of us do. Crispified palates that can’t recover for the next stick. Always pisses me off. Four sawbucks is a lot of dough no matter where you live. How important is comfort? That’s the key to spending this kind of dough on a single cigar. For only two sawhorses, there is a huge list of excellent cigars you can choose from. Are you rich in the wallet or rich in the art of reflection. Dealer’s choice.
If this Byon was a few bucks cheaper, it would get a few points higher. Rich guy’s cigar.
RATING: 94
And now for something completely different…once again:
The editors at Cigar Aficionado have a distinct way of describing flavors like no one else. You can’t make this shit up. Here is a sample:
1. The finish is minty and reedy
2. Full of bright floral and linen notes
3. The finish feels powdery on the palate
4. Pencil lead notes with a finish smacking of vermouth
5. A steely finish
6. The draw is open and lush
7. A piquant aftertaste
8. Toasted caramel
9. Espresso character buttressed by slight fruitiness and a touch of tar
10. A balanced cigar with considerable charm
11. Touches of cereal and nuts also emerge
12. Oaky underpinnings
13. Hints of wet leather
14. Squarely pressed with a bumpy head
15. Charry finish that sticks to the palate
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Cigar Reviews by the Katman 
Nice review Phil.
Yeah, I can’t bring myself to spend that much on a cigar. I have a couple of boxes of Anejos tucked away, been in there at least 4 years. At $200 a box at the time they were a splurge then. Now when they are >$375 a box? Nopety nope nope nope.
In my humble opinion, cigars that pricey are to impress those sitting around you in the lounge. Like $500 dollar a bottle booze. It’s not the thing, it’s the idea of the thing.
Me sitting on my front porch smoking a $40 cigar is not going to impress anybody driving by. And the guys I do smoke with just want a tasty cigar, not burn a $50 bill. Especially to find out I don’t like the damned thing.
Although skyrocketing prices did finally get me to guit cigarettes 15 years ago, so there is that.
I’m glad I built up a small stash of some premiums pre-plague because my purchase selections now are carefully targeted and sale driven. I’ll just not spend that much money on a cigar day to day. Not happening.
I like to think of myself as frugal, but my wife just calls me a “cheap bastard”. I can live with that. Of all the things she calls me that one’s not so bad. LOL.
Amen, sailor…
P
“Like $500 dollar a bottle booze. It’s not the thing, it’s the idea of the thing” Nice…well said.
Nice review, Buby. I live close by Garafolo’s B&M and while I’ve thought once or twice to throw my money at Byron have yet to do so. The guys I see buying these are often smoking Perdomo… and while age-wise I’m near them, this doesn’t seem to me a recommendation. I’m no snob, but I smoke faster than these guys, and generally veer towards Nica beefstakes. Placencia, BLTC, HVC, DTT, etc.
Am I correct in slotting the Byron in the milder end of the bus, and either way, is there something unique there I’d otherwise miss?
thanks again.
I haven’t been in a lounge in 3 years. My experience has been that it is very cliquish.
Working in one didn’t change my opinion.
As to who smokes expensive elitist cigars…it’s guys with either too much dough or those wanting to blend in.
Real connoisseurs are the most curious hominids. We try everything.
We find the cream. Mostly on our own…sometimes we get a leg up from advocates.
I’ve only smoked two Byron blends and I reviewed both. One was medium and one was medium/full.
It takes a brilliant blender to put serious punch in a mild/medium cigar. Most fail. Some succeed.
I don’t want to harp on pricing. I flail on this subject to the point that it bores me silly.
The 2020’s unleashed a new era. It has brought some incredible blending talent to the surface as competition gets fierce.
Will our income ever coincide with cigar prices? Will the cigar industry kick the bread-and-butter customer base to the curb?
To be determined…
I’m a huge fan of the Byron 21st Century blends (especially the “Vintage” offerings from LCC and SBC) as well as Atabey and Alfonso Extra Anejos and will buy a three-pack anytime they are on sale (rarely).
I never smoke these to show off because 1) I have no cigar buddies, and 2) I’m not rich so all I’d be doing is showing off how stupid I am with money. I think they are superb blends that are make for a perfect morning cigar with coffee when I feel like having a decadent smoke. They make me feel “funny” inside and I often go back inside and…well…you know…
Pouncing on sales when they happen plus using KatCodes, I can regularly buy Robusto Grande vitolas of Atabey’s for around $24 a stick, and Alfonso/Byron sticks for right at $30 each. Still expensive, but in the same range as Padron’s, Plasencia’s, and Cohibas <gag>.
Well said, Al.
Thank you for your comment.
Phil