Nelson Alfonso of Selected Tobacco – known for luxury brands like Alfonso, Byron, Bandolero, and Atabey – is set to introduce the Atabey Limited Edition Humidor at July’s Premium Cigar Association trade show in Las Vegas . Each of these luxury humidors, with their gold trim and black gloss finish, contains 60 Atabey cigars from the 2017 vintag. Featuring five cigars of each size in the portfolio., the assortment includes twelve unique sizes, ranging from Hechizos 4 x 40 to Benditos 7 1/4 x 58. Atabey cigars are produced annually in limited quantities and are aged for a minimum of five years after rolling, without exception.
Drawing on rich cultural history, the Atabey brand pays tribute to the Taínos. In the context of Taino religion, Atabey is the goddess of fresh water and fertility. She is also known as the mother of the supreme Taino god, Yúcahu, who presided over the sea and the growth of yuca, a staple crop in the region. As a central figure in the Taino pantheon, Atabey played a significant role in the spiritual and cultural life of the indigenous people of the Caribbean and beyond. When they are to have introduced Europeans to tobacco in the 15th century, the Taínos already inhabited large portions of what is modern-day of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas.
“I have worked on many international projects throughout my career,” Alfonso shares. “This Atabey Humidor is the most special to my family as it celebrates the entire line of Atabey.” The cigars are crafted at Tabacos de Costa Rica using a largely undisclosed blend. All that has been confirmed publicly is that the wrapper is an Ecuadorian Habano and one of the tobaccos utilized in the filler is Peruvian Ligero. A total of 250 Atabey Humidors have been produced with the first one scheduled to go on display this month at the Atabey Lounge at Industrial Cigar in Frisco, Texas. Just 60 of of the humidors are set for release at this year’s trade show.
Selected Tobacco blends can be found at Privada Cigar Club and other United Cigar Group retailers.