Atabey
Price range: $29.50 through $1,212.50
An ultra-premium made in Costa Rica under Nelson Alfonso, each Atabey ages five years before its Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and Dominican binder open into sweet cedar, dark fruit, and caramel.
Volume Discounts
- Buy 2+ and save 5%
- Buy 3+ and save 10%
Curated by Oxford Cigar Company. Ships from Orlando, FL.
Frequently Bought Together
If you purchase this product you will earn Atabey Cigars – Ultra-Premium Aged Collection
Step into a realm of unmatched refinement with Atabey cigars, where five years of patient aging meets the artistic vision of Nelson Alfonso. Created at the prestigious Tabacos de Costa Rica factory, these limited-production cigars represent the pinnacle of modern cigar craftsmanship, with each specimen undergoing an extraordinary aging process that involves exposure to five distinct cedar varieties: Cuban, Spanish, Lebanese, Brazilian, and Mexican.
Premium Features
- Aged minimum five years post-roll in specialized cedar chambers
- Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper delivering silky smoothness
- Dominican binder paired with Peruvian ligero filler
- Limited annual production ensuring exclusivity
- Multiple vitolas from 4×40 petit corona to 8×50 churchill
- Unique humidity cycling process from 40% to 70% during aging
- Named after the supreme goddess of the Taino people
The Atabey collection stands as a testament to Nelson Alfonso’s mastery of tobacco blending, combining his decades of experience with Cuban cigar heritage and modern production techniques. Each cigar undergoes a meticulous aging protocol unique in the industry, where humidity levels are deliberately reduced to 40% before being restored to 70%, allowing the tobacco to absorb distinctive cedar characteristics from five different wood sources. This patient approach results in a smoking experience that delivers layers of sweet cedar, dark fruit, leather, and caramel notes that evolve throughout each session.
These cigars honor the Taino Indians, the Caribbean’s indigenous people who first practiced the ritual of tobacco smoking as a spiritual ceremony called Cohiba. Through their Behike spiritual guides, the Taino communicated with Atabey, their supreme goddess who governed water, fertility, and agricultural abundance. This rich cultural heritage infuses every aspect of the brand, from the ornate white, silver, and gold banding to the careful attention paid to each cigar’s construction.
Construction quality reaches exceptional standards across every vitola, with razor-sharp burn lines, firm white ash that holds for inches, and an effortless draw that produces voluminous clouds of creamy smoke. The flavor journey begins with notes of honey and almond, transitions through phases of vanilla bean and toasted bread, and finishes with hints of light spice and citrus zest. Each size offers its own interpretation of the blend, with smaller ring gauges concentrating the sweet cream and shortbread notes while larger formats allow the complex tobacco character to fully develop over extended smoking sessions.
Technical Specifications
| Factory | Tabacos de Costa Rica S.A. |
| Master Blender | Nelson Alfonso |
| Production Method | Traditional Cuban-style construction |
| Aging Process | 5 years minimum in multi-cedar chambers |
| Humidity Treatment | 40% reduction then restoration to 70% |
| Available Vitolas | 12 sizes from 4×40 to 8×50 |
| Strength Profile | Mild-medium to medium body |
| Annual Production | Extremely limited quantities |
Summary
- Box Count: 25
- Region: Costa Rica
- Strength: Mild-Medium to Medium
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
- Filler: Peru, Nicaragua
What makes Atabey cigars worth the premium price?
The exceptional five-year aging process combined with the unique multi-cedar chamber treatment creates a flavor complexity rarely found in other cigars. Each cigar represents countless hours of careful aging and Nelson Alfonso’s expertise from decades working with top Cuban brands.
How does the cedar aging process affect the flavor?
The five different cedar types (Cuban, Spanish, Lebanese, Brazilian, Mexican) impart distinct aromatic qualities to the tobacco. The humidity cycling from 40% to 70% allows deeper absorption of these wood notes, creating the signature sweet cedar and vanilla characteristics.
Which Atabey size should I try first?
The Ritos (6⅛×55) offers the most balanced representation of the blend, providing enough smoking time to experience the full flavor evolution while maintaining optimal combustion. The Brujos (5×52) serves as an excellent shorter option with concentrated flavors.
Are Atabey cigars similar to Cuban cigars?
Many reviewers note similarities to premium Cuban brands, particularly in the creamy texture and refined strength profile. The traditional Cuban construction methods employed by Nelson Alfonso contribute to this resemblance, though the blend itself features Central and South American tobaccos.
How should I store Atabey cigars?
Maintain them at 65-68% humidity and 65-70°F temperature. The extensively aged tobacco performs best at slightly lower humidity levels than typical cigars. Store them in their original packaging or a cedar-lined humidor to preserve their unique characteristics.
What occasions suit Atabey cigars best?
These cigars excel during contemplative moments when you can fully appreciate their complexity. Morning sessions with coffee or tea complement their mild-medium profile perfectly, while special celebrations warrant their prestigious status.
Can beginners enjoy Atabey cigars?
The mild-medium strength profile makes them accessible to newer enthusiasts, though the premium investment suggests starting with single cigars rather than full boxes. The smooth, creamy character provides an excellent introduction to ultra-premium tobacco.
How long does an Atabey cigar typically smoke?
Smoking times vary by vitola: the petit Hechizos provides about 25 minutes, the popular Ritos extends to 70 minutes, while the churchill-sized Dioses can reach 95 minutes of enjoyment.
| Selection | Box – Sabios 5 1/4 x 52, 5 Pack – Sabios 5 1/4 x 52, Single – Sabios 5 1/4 x 52, Box – Benditos 7 1/4 x 58, 5 Pack – Benditos 7 1/4 x 58, Single – Benditos 7 1/4 x 58, Box – Ritos 6 1/8 x 55, 5 Pack – Ritos 6 1/8 x 55, Single – Ritos 6 1/8 x 55, Box – Spiritus 7 x 40, 5 Pack – Spiritus 7 x 40, Single – Spiritus 7 x 40, Box – Hechizos 4 x 40, 5 Pack – Hechizos 4 x 40, Single – Hechizos 4 x 40, Box – Duendes 6 1/8 x 54, 5 Pack – Duendes 6 1/8 x 54, Single – Duendes 6 1/8 x 54, Box – Brujos 4 7/8 x 52, 5 Pack – Brujos 4 7/8 x 52, Single – Brujos 4 7/8 x 52, Box – Divinos 4 2/5 x 50, 5 Pack – Divinos 4 2/5 x 50, Single – Divinos 4 2/5 x 50, 3 Pack – Duendes Tubes 6 1/8 x 54, Box – Delirios 5 3/4 x 55, 5 Pack – Delirios 5 3/4 x 55, Single – Delirios 5 3/4 x 55 |
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lewishalsted (verified owner) –
Purchased a 5 pack a few years back and only just smoked the last one. perfect construction and silky smooth flavours. Would definitely purchase more!
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mchun1104 (verified owner) –
I’ve smoked one as a single stick before, so I had to pick up a 3-pack! Atabey sticks are creamy smooth and the ash is no different! Very well-constructed and the smoke output is fantastic on these!
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jasonr75 (verified owner) –
The smoothest, best constructed cigar I’ve ever smoked. Creamy smoke, razor sharp burn and delicious sweet cedar, tobacco and wheaty notes. A must try, well worth the premium.
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rocky_mountain_seoul (verified owner) –
I’ve smoked Cubans and New Worlds, Limited Editions, Ultra Premiums, etc. For me, Atabey is absolute perfection. It’s mild-medium in body and strength with very complex flavor- cedar, almonds, vanilla, grass. Impeccably constructed, creamy smoke, and unbelievably flavorful. For special occasions or a daily treat, this is the cigar I reach for.
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BruceWang (verified owner) –
The main wood flavor becomes very clear. A small puff gives you a roasted wood flavor and a lighter coffee flavor. A larger puff gives you a bitter almond flavor. You may get a milk flake flavor in one of three puffs, but it’s fleeting. The taste has improved in this stage, and is not much different from the main flavor. There is no bitterness or discomfort.
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Eddy (verified owner) –
No doubt this is a quality cigar. The craftsmanship is impeccable just like the Alfonso. Taste wise this reminds me a lot of the Cuban Romeo, which is world famous but not one of my favourites. This versus the the Alfonso, I’d give the alfonso a slight edge even thought both of their taste is relatively boring.
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johnadam766 (verified owner) –
Balance, smooth, sweet. That is really perfect for smoking in the morning with tea or coffee. Atabey is had a very good construction and I think this cigar which we need to keep a humidor for a long time
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madisonsm1984 (verified owner) –
It’s Atabey, there’s not much that needs to be said. United puts out nothing but top quality cigars and the Atabey is at the top what what a true, premium cigar should be. Construction and flavors are like no other
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Alexander S (verified owner) –
The Atabey Ritos is one of the best mild to medium strength cigars I have ever had. Its delicious creamy peanut butter and vanilla unique complexity is absolutely superb. This is how how well age tobacco is done right. I wish I had the cash at hand to always have a full box of Atabey to hand.
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Justin White (verified owner) –
Great construction, and obviously very meticulously well aged tobacco.
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kurt.pullman (verified owner) –
Don’t see these around very often, so thanks to Oxford for sourcing these. Working my way slowly through the Byron and Atabey lines currently, so being able to buy singles is really helpful! Atabey in particular always impress me with their construction. Highly recommend trying o e!
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