Atabey Hechizos Petit Corona

Atabey Hechizos Petit Corona is a 4 X 40 described as a short panatela or a petit corona. The wrapper is firm, oily and sports some tiny veins. Can’t confirm the tobacco used. Only that the country of origin is Costa Rica. Atabey has received accolades from everywhere, including a friend who once owned and operated his own boutique cigar brands. The cigar band is very reminiscent of the Cuban Cohiba Behike and that it is the creation of Nelson Alfonso – the Cohiba Behike connection. So, I have been anticipating smoking an Atabey for some time. Today is the day.

Wood – not oak or cedar, maple perhaps? – and pepper take command from the start. Add nuts, coffee, pepper, buttery toast, pancake syrup, berries, earthy vegetal notes. Midway through the wood changes – clearly oak, charred oak. I’m tasting cereal. Wheaties? Whatever it is, it’s interesting. The nuts are also more clearly defined – somewhere in the cashew/hazelnuts range. The finale includes a Davidoff-ish mustiness. There are subtle notes of tea, floral, vegetal and forest floor moss. For such a small vitola, this stick packs in a lot of flavors, transitions and complexity. I am impressed.

Razor sharp dead even burn line – perfectly circular even start to finish with nary a touchup – I’m impressed for such a little cigar. The ash was a little flaky, but no complaints – it held well. Serious smoke production – again impressive for a petit corona. It’s medium strength and smooth as silk medium-mild bodied. It’s a gem.

The Atabey is made in Costa Rica, but the tobacco is “undisclosed.” Someone has been paying attention to Robert Caldwell to weave mystery and marketing mystique into cigars. It’s hard to fully rate a 25 minute smoke, although I must say this little devil did a lot with that time. I only wish I had smoked a larger vitola. Budget permitting, I may do that someday. Give it a 5. It was that good.

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