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Bandolero Seleccion Especial “Soberbios S” Review

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Bandolero Seleccion Especial Review

Up for review today is the Bandolero Seleccion Especial which I discovered through my friends at Luxury Cigar Club. They’re great in part because they introduce cigars in their monthly boxes that are a bit ‘off the grid’ but also exceptional from a quality standpoint.

In any case, Bandolero cigars are produced by Neslon Alfonso and Selected Tobacco. Alfonso is famous for his work developing the branding for the Cuban Cohiba “Behike” which is renowned as one of the most desirable (and expensive) cigars in the world.  Selected Tobacco on the other hand is a company now famous for two ultra-premium (and similarly expensive) non-Cuban cigar brands: Atabey and Byron Cigars. The Bandolero Seleccion Especial is billed as a less wallet-crushing cigar from the same maker, but only tasting the product will determine if it lives up to the same standards as the other brands.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Bandolero Seleccion Especial “Soberbios S”
  • Wrapper: Ecuador
  • Binder: Peru
  • Filler: Not disclosed
  • Size: 5 1/2 x 50
  • Retail price: ~$15

Appearance & Construction

Well, I can’t say I understand the branding on the band, especially given the branding mind behind this cigar. The mixture of black, gold and brown is not very appealing, and the brown portion of the band seems to be a printed wood texture (weren’t we done with that in the 70’s?).

Thankfully, the outer wrapper is a different story: pristine, with just one substantial vein and an otherwise smooth texture. The cigar is springy when squeezed, and as I squeeze along the length of it, it seems consistently packed.

Taking a whiff off of the foot I pick up predominantly sweet aromas of peanuts, granola, coffee bean, and earth. The cold draw is less interesting, with just a bit of sweet earth and a slight tingly spice.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

If the branding on this cigar is bad, the opening flavors are the exact opposite.

The Bandolero Selecccion Especial opens beautifully, with surprisingly mild, approachable smoke. The texture is extremely creamy, and the core notes of the profile at the start are peanuts and oak, with hints of floral and spice sometimes evident in the aroma. The retrohale is shockingly mild, with notes of warm bread and light baking spices. Construction wise, the draw is perfect, a 7/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness, and the cigar produces ample smoke. The quality of the tobacco used in this cigar is unmistakable.

Bandolero Seleccion Especial Review

As the cigar develops more into the first inch, the texture and experience of the smoke starts to resemble my experiences smoking the Cuban Montecristo No. 2. That is to say, the draw is very smooth, the texture is silky, and the flavors are present and pronounced. Throughout the first half, construction is excellent, with the ash dropping in inch and a half increments and no issues with the burn.

The Bandolero Seleccion Especial smokes mostly the same all the way until the beginning of the final third. Definitely disappointing as the cigar started off great and I was hoping for a bit more flavor development in the second third.

In any case, the final third does have some significant changes. Although the body of the cigar never reaches medium, it does build a bit, with a noticeable increase in spiciness on the tongue and in the retrohale. The flavor palette as a whole also shifts, away from the creamy sweetness of the first two thirds and toward a more bitter base with notes of wood, fresh bread, paper, and nuts. The big negative though about the final third is that the smoke begins to heat up far too soon, with at least an inch and a half left before the cigar begins to be difficult to continue smoking.

Conclusion

After smoking the Bandolero Seleccion Especial, it’s obvious to me that it utilizes some very special tobacco. The first half of the cigar is close to sublime, with a very Cubanesque flavor profile that features prominent notes of nuts, cream, floral, and light spices. Unfortunately, the complexity and harmony falls off a bit, making the second half a lot less compelling overall.

Either way, I think this particular cigar would be a worthy investment for veteran cigar smokers looking to experience a Cubanesque non-Cuban cigar.

Final Rating: 88

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Elmer T. Lee Bourbon – Balance and Grace

3 0 2.8k

A Top Rated Bourbon of Balance and Grace for an Apprentice or Enthusiast
Neat Before Dinner or in a Cocktail

Photo courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery

Whisky Reviewed: Elmer T. Lee
Distiller: Buffalo Trace
Region: Kentucky
Suggested Retail Price: $35-$300
ABV: 45%
Distiller Rating: 91
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 97
USC Rating: 91
Whiskey Sidekick Rating: 4.5/5

Mark’s Review

From the depths of Buffalo Trace rises a single barrel ideal for sitting in front of the fire with Harry the cat on your lap.

What? No pets and you’re telling me the season changed?

Don’t worry. This bourbon is a suave, smooth delight anytime with or without an animal companion.

Aromas

Scents waft to your nose full of fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg and nuts. It’s as if you baked apple and pecan pies, then distilled, aged and bottled them together. The soft easy-going flavor was rich, complex and as comfortable as your favorite couch. I added some water, but it didn’t add or subtract any value.

In Cocktails

With a high rye content, you won’t think Elmer T. Lee is 45% ABV. Yet this whiskey is so balanced that a Manhattan “up” cocktail works well. I suggest you cut back on the sweet vermouth at 50% of the usual recipe. In fact, try the “perfect” version using ¼ oz. bianco and ½ the standard red. One challenge is the cost. You must conduct a detailed search to find a price on the low end; if you can even find a bottle at all.

 The moral of the story is patience pays and glory awaits. Ask my furry friend Harry. It’s worth the trip.

Mark Garbin’s Evaluation

Aromas & Flavor Appeals to: Optimal Client Type Great For:
Subtlety Aficionado Apprentice Cocktails
Power Flavor Admirer Enthusiast Neat Before Dinner
Balanced Devotee Adventurer With Food
Chameleon Lover Hedonist Dessert or Afterwards

Distiller.com review: Once the nose opens a little, the spice flows freely. It’s warm with an inviting baked apple crisp with vanilla ice cream aroma. The palate finds more oats, apples, cinnamon, caramel and oak. The finish is long and spicy with the cinnamon prevailing note. –Rob Morton

Wine Enthusiast review: Complex and addictive. Scents of cinnamon, hazelnuts, and dried fruit precede big flavors: cinnamon spice, raisinated and plummy, like Madeira or Sherry. Long finish, with a bit of a bite. –Kara Newman

USC review: This is a tour-de-force of a bourbon that overflows with aromas of brown butter, toffee danish, & charred cinnamon. The palate is expansive and delicious echoing the earlier flavors and adding sweet corn puree, baked pear, and roasted oak sweetness.

Whiskey Sidekick review: You can’t beat Elmer T. Lee for the flavor and value. This particular barrel that we sampled gave us quite a different profile than what would be considered “standard” but still was exquisite. ETL is pretty darn rare so grab it when it’s available as you won’t find a better or more consistent single barrel bourbon for the price. Earned all of its 4.5 glasses and we will definitely be picking up every bottle we come across.

RoMa Craft Tobac Intemperance BA XXI Ambition Review

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Up for review today is the RoMa Craft Tobac Intemperance BA XXI. I haven’t smoked many cigars from Roma Craft Tobac, but I do have to say that after reviewing this cigar, I will be smoking many more in the future. Read on to learn why.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: RoMa Craft Tobac Intemperance BA XXI Ambition
  • Wrapper: Brazilian Arapicara
  • Binder: Indonesian
  • Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
  • Size: 5 1/2 x 54 Belicoso
  • Retail Price: ~$8

Appearance & Construction

The Intemperance BA XXI is an attractive cigar, with an espresso bean colored Brazilian Arapiraca that has minimal veins. Strangely, the wrapper leaf doesn’t actually extend all the way to the foot of the cigar. I couldn’t tell you why, but William Cooper at Cigar Coop looked into it and found the following:

At the footer of each of the Intemperance BA, it has an exposed binder, and then some exposed filler.  Martin explained there were two reasons for this:  First because Arapiraca wrapper is sensitive to humidity, the wrapper would actually shrink.  They found the best way to work with this wrapper would be to let it age before cutting the foot (thus the shrinkage).  Secondly, by exposing the binder and then the filler, it allows the cigar enthusiast to experience those parts of the blend without the dominant flavor component of the wrapper.

Besides the fascinating construction, the foot of the cigar smells great, with strong aromas of cedar, grilling spices, and earth. The cold draw is very spicy, with balanced, sweet notes of sweet earth and wood. Construction-wise, the draw is mostly free, about a 6/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The first few puffs of the Intemperance BA XXI Ambition are noticeably thin on flavor, a direct result of having no combustion of the wrapper leaf. That’s short-lived though. Only two minutes in to the smoke, the wrapper leaf begins to burn and the flavors become much more rich and textured, with creamy fruitiness leading the way (a unique note to be sure) followed by rich cocoa and espresso notes. Every now and again, the smoke becomes a bit toasty, which keeps things interesting. Speaking of interesting, there’s also a surprising salt and spice that hits just the very tip of the tongue and sizzles momentarily, especially when I hold the smoke in my mouth. The cigar performs great on the construction side, with cool smoke, great smoke production, and a razor sharp burn line. As the cigar continues on in the first third, the spicy and toasty elements of the smoke begin to take center stage, upending the predominantly smooth and rich introduction. I’d put body and strength at medium in the first third.

The Intemperance BA XXI continues to shift and evolve all the way through the second third. First shifting to a spicier, drier and more full strength profile with leather, pepper and charred oak, and then minutes later shifting toward silky smooth smoke that highlights salty-sweet notes of popcorn, grilling spices, milk chocolate and concentrated espresso. For the most part the retrohale is mild and unassuming except for a few puffs here and there where a nicely placed dry spice comes through and livens things up. It’s a whirlwind, but a good one. Absolutely no issues with construction either: a great draw and good burn all the way through with the ash falling in inch and a half increments.

In the final third of the Intemperance BA XXI Ambition, the strength and body finally peak just past medium, with a noticeable uptick in dry wood, leather and spice and a diminishing of the smoother espresso and chocolate flavors. It’s a great way to wind the smoke down, not with a whimper but with more of a bang. The only negative that comes up is that the draw, already free near the beginning, opens up even more leading to the smoke overheating in the final inch.

Conclusion

As Halfwheel rightly noted in their review of the Intemperance BA XXI, this cigar relies less on blasts of power and more on finesse. I’ve got to hand it to Skip Martin and the team at RoMa Craft Tobac. They really have proven in this cigar, and in the CroMagnon, that they are capable of blending truly unique and skillful product.

Final Rating: 92

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Aultmore 12 Year

3 0 2.5k

Subtle Balance for the Apprentice and Enthusiast
Enjoy it Neat Before Dinner or with Dessert (Maybe as Dessert!)

photo courtesy of Bacardi Ltd.

Whisky Reviewed: Aultmore 12 Year
Distiller: Bacardi
Region: Speyside
Suggested Retail Price: $80
ABV: 46%
Distiller Rating: 90
Whiskeyreviewer Rating: B

Mark’s Review

Gazing into your (not so) distant memory lives a special person. You never had to “try” or fake it. Friendship came easy. Even slight gestures or their chosen words never ceased to amaze or impress you. To others present then, they might only be wisps in the wind. But to you, looking back, the recall is sharp and poignant

It’s the same with Aultmore; soft, sweet and subtle, with a color of the finest Meursault. The light, airy and honeyed scent sends you on a voyage of graceful peace. Your nose smells floral, fruity vanilla bean rising on a bed of clouds. Then, toasted honey wheat bread devoid of sherry smoke greets your mouth as the smooth finale goes down with a deft touch of pepper. It’s not hot, in fact a mild after taste gives way to a mid-length, gentle, citric finish.

Skip adding water to this. You don’t want to change your mental image into something it isn’t or shouldn’t become. A balanced complexity dwells here. Like that human bond, a psychic flavor grows and stays with you.

Enjoy this faerie of a Speyside neat before dinner. You could also tempt fate by having a dram side-by-side with a dessert. Its innate docile nature pairs well with lemon pound cake and cream or Linzer Torte.

An Apprentice will use this Scotch to ease into the new world of single malts. But the Enthusiast can cite this tasting as a rare chance to learn and teach. They’ll show their friends that some whisky, as with life itself, is not always about what’s in front of you. Sometimes hidden details matter. Just as you noticed those traits about someone unseen by most people, you now found a twin spirit.

Unwind and savor its delicate style. With or without your friend, drink and revel in the past’s beauty.

Mark Garbin’s Evaluation

Aromas & Flavor Appeals to: Optimal Client Type Great For:
Subtlety Aficionado Apprentice Cocktails
Power Flavor Admirer Enthusiast Neat Before Dinner
Balanced Devotee Adventurer With Food
Chameleon Lover Hedonist Dessert or Afterwards

 

Distiller rating: Everything is arranged quite deftly, much like a dessert at a white table cloth affair. A whiff of caramelized bananas, green apples, and shaved dark chocolate on the nose. Creamy vanilla-bean ice cream upfront soon evaporates in a poof of smoke leaving white pepper and dry peat on the finish. Grab the proper spoon, lift your pinky, and dig in! –Sam Davies

Whiskeyreviewer rating: This Aultmore is a nice, easy drinking release. It’s not overly complex (that crown goes to the Craigallechie release, especially their 23 Year Old, which is one of the best whiskies I’ve ever tasted), but it would be a great dram to welcome you home from work and to kick back with. –Kurt Maitland

 

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Introducing Mark Garbin, Spirits Editor at Fine Tobacco NYC

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Over the last few months, you may have seen many new whisky reviews written by Mark Garbin, a recent guest author to Fine Tobacco NYC (ex: (here, here, here, and here). He breaks the mold of the typical 100-point review, injecting in some much needed personality and charm.

Mark’s reviews aren’t just about reporting smells and flavors. He takes the time and thought to help people understand the experience of whisky; embracing the fact that every one of us approaches life in ways that are quite personal. His philosophy as he puts it: “If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, enjoyment is in the taste of the sipper!” I very much enjoy reading his posts and appreciate the unique spin he brings to this website. Although focused on cigar smokers, our site is also visited by tens of thousands of spirits lovers from all parts of the globe each year.

We all know that the link between a great smoke and fine drink enhances both. So I’m excited to announce that Mark has agreed to grace us with his measured thoughts on alcohol the world over, taking the role of Spirits Editor for finetobacconyc.com.

In the “spirit” (Ha!)  of meeting our newest team member, I asked Mark to share his story and his take on all things distilled. Read on to find out what he said.

FTNYC: Let’s get started with the basics. Who are you? Where are you from? And how did you come to be involved with reviewing on Fine Tobacco NYC? 

MG: By day I’m a institutional risk and portfolio specialist who sits on Fund boards helping to guide the portfolio performance of investment advisers. In my 35+ years in the business, I’ve been around the world numerous times and had the privilege and pleasure of enjoying thousands of whiskies and places to drink. Last year, I decided to become a certified whisky sommelier and received my certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

Recently, I met Fine Tobacco NYC’s fearless leader, Matthias Clock, over coffee. His approach to cigars and events is unique and dovetails well with my own beliefs. It was a natural for me to contribute to the fun and enjoyment.

FTNYC: Putting together a review of any product takes time and effort. What got you in to writing about whisky and why do you keep it up?

MG: I noticed more people trying new whiskies but they struggle to find clarity in their own preferences. I also saw how they start with but want to get beyond mass production bottles. I got into writing because I want people to drink better quality but also have an appreciation for how time, place, food and emotion play into life’s wonderful nuances. I didn’t see that (and still don’t) in the current review genre. I love helping individuals view tasting as an experience to be savored.

Pictured: Mark Garbin at a recent Fine Tobacco NYC event. (Photo credit: John DeMato Productions)

FTNYC: Besides being an accomplished  writer, you mentioned that you put together whisky events in New York City for businesses. What do those events usually look like?

MG: They range from 20 – 250 people. Some companies love the idea of a vertical range of a single whisky label. For example, at a recent event, we tasted all of the stunning Dalmore brand expressions. Another firm wanted to sample different bourbons with multiple mashbills as well as create bespoke cocktails. These get-togethers are often for law firms, financial companies and for tech industry client thank-you events. My objective is to create a memorable experience.

FTNYC: What do you think of numerical ratings and letter grades?

MG: This is an emotional subject for me. First, there are many fine whisky reviewers who provide a great intro to quality. One of the best is Kara Newman at Winemag.com. She packs a lot of helpful info into a brief description. Ari, The Whisky Guy also does fantastic 60-second video reviews. Distiller.com and the Ultimate Spirits Challenge are also helpful.

That said, these grades are better taken as initial guidelines. One person’s 95 is another’s 75 and vice versa. But more important, a whisky that you might like at 6pm for a pre-dinner drink is different than one you would enjoy with certain main courses, desserts or after a meal. Your mood and flavor desires at the time also matter. For example, you might want a high rye bourbon or peated malt when you’re eating a steak. Or if it’s before a meal, your frame of mind could take you to a delicate Japanese whisky or wheated bourbon. Are you with your partner or with a group of friends engaged in a friendly taste-a-thon?

Bottom line, use ratings as starting points. More critical is what do you feel like drinking, when do you want it, with what are you pairing and with whom.  

FTNYC: In your reviews, you break down whiskies by the type of person they would appeal to. Can you tell us a bit about those categories?

MG: Sure. Like Cigars, whisky has many facets. You can enjoy a whisky for its balance but then crave a real powerhouse. Sometimes a softer touch is needed or you want a dram where you can sit back and contemplate life. Flavor profiles are highly subjective. So don’t choose one. Embrace them all!

Next, where are you on your whisky journey? The Apprentice is starting down the road to a sophisticated palate. The Enthusiast is engaging in education as much as they can and the Adventurer climbs mountains just because they exist. Finally the Hedonist seeks spiritual (pun intended) rapture every time they raise their glass. Please note: It’s so much fun to indulge in multiple personalities when you enjoy what’s in the glass. A person can be an Apprentice and Hedonist simultaneously! Any permutation is welcome!

Finally, when and with what food, if any, are you drinking? There are some brands I would never, ever have with food. There are some where I would ONLY have them with a meal. You can love a whisky at many times or at a single time and place. Finding what works for you is the great joy! I hope to earn your trust as a guide on your voyage and bring a smile to your face.  

FTNYC: What are your favorite bars?

Category New York Paris London
Romance The Bar at Tocqueville Golden Promise Dukes Bar
Business (Spare no expense) Rarities Le Bar Kleber Connaught Bar
Friends On the Rocks (Midtown) and Vintry Wine & Whisky (FIDI) Sherry Butt The Vault @ Soho

FTNYC: What’s your favorite cocktail and where?

MG: A dry martini at the Dukes’ Bar, London.

It’s one of those things magazines write about for a person to do before they die. It will spoil you forever. The glasses and gins/vodkas are kept at -10º F as you select from a myriad of hard to get gins and designer vodkas. Then quintessential butler service brings a small portable station to you where long-serving bartenders pour the syrupy spirit into your now frosted glass. Then a precise peeling separates a Sorrento lemon skin from its host as droplets of the most fragrant oils caress the surface of your drink. A bowl of olives and nuts are placed on your table as you invoke your hedonist persona to savor each glistening sip.

FYI, the Dukes’ compelled me to: 1) Keep my gins & vodkas at sub-zero temps, 2) Buy organic lemons if I can’t get Sorrentos and 3) Buy a small freezer that now holds my precious secret stash of Beefeater Crown Jewel Gin and other hard to get whiskies.

Btw, they also stock a magnificent collection of Single Malts, Cognacs and Armagnacs. It might look like the classic “man’s bar”, but women are equally welcomed and pampered. Why are you reading this? GO THERE NOW!!!

FTNYC: You’ve sampled a lot of whisky in your time. What are your top three to five choices?

MG: OMG, the list is long and distinguished. It’s so hard to narrow everything down to so few. But, let’s look at two categories: 1) Great value whiskies less than $100/bottle and available at great prices. 2) TKO spirits i.e. The best devil-may-care availability or price point.

Whisky Great Value TKO
Single Malt Cragganmore 12 (Tie) Ardbeg Uigeadail and Balvenie 21, Dalmore Cigar Malt
Blended Scotch Johnnie Walker Green Hibiki Japanese Harmony
Low Rye Bourbon (Tie) Stagg, Jr. & Elmer T. Lee Clyde May’s 10 Year Cask Strength
High Rye Bourbon Four Roses Single Barrel Remus Repeal Reserve
Rye Hudson Maple Cask Hillrock Sauternes Cask
Gin (London Dry) Greenhook Ginsmiths Beefeater Crown Jewel (Have to go to London)
Tequila Herradura Anejo Patron Cask Collection Sherry Anejo

FTNYC: You have an ebook with an extensive selection of bar reviews. Can you tell our readers what it is, and where they can get a copy? 

MG: Thanks. It’s called Whisky and Romance Manhattan. It’s about the most romantic whisky bars in the city. For those interested in Spy Thrillers, my novel, No Fingerprints, is perfect for pairing with a great stick and a dram.

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