At the PCA trade show in Las Vegas in 2022, Selected Tobacco introduced the fourth brand in its portfolio — Alfonso. The name comes from the company’s owner, Nelson Alfonso, who is internationally renowned for his projects, including branding Habanos cigars, designing the humidor for Padron’s 50th anniversary, and many others.
Alfonso has a remarkable talent for creating exceptional blends, which he has repeatedly demonstrated with his brands Atabey and Byron, as well as with his new brand, Alfonso. These are ultra-premium brands that focus on elegant presentation and extended tobacco aging.
For five years, the tobaccos are left to “rest” in a room lined with five different types of cedar (Cuban, Spanish, Lebanese, Brazilian, and Mexican) under varying humidity levels, allowing them to absorb the unique cedar aromas.
They are produced in Costa Rica in very limited quantities and are available only in a few stores worldwide that are certified by the manufacturer. The wrapper and binder are Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade, while the filler combines carefully selected tobaccos from Peru and Nicaragua.
The cigar has a light-to-medium strength, with an exceptionally well-balanced profile throughout the smoking experience. Upon lighting, it reveals a complex profile — natural tobacco, cedar, cream, a subtle hint of peanut, black pepper, and delicate fruity notes. In the final stages of smoking, natural tobacco remains dominant, while cream, cedar, and black pepper come together in a refined, balanced finish.
