INTRODUCTION
One of the anticipated releases during the 2025 PCA tradeshow in New Orleans was the Tabacos Bandolero “Premium” extension to Bandolero. United Cigars is introducing not just limited Bandolero, but one that undergoes an extended aging process in Spain. After the cigars are rolled in Costa Rica, they are shipped to Madrid Spain to age an additional three years in an aging room lined with five different types of cedar.
Oliver Nivaud stated in a press release “Bandolero has always carried an air of mystery, and the Bandolero Premium elevates that legacy. The dedication to aging and refinement from Selected Tobacco is unlike anything else, Bandolero Premium only reinforces our belief in the process.”
There are only a small batch of retailers who may carry Bandolero Premium.
UNDER THE LID
First off, the boxes are stunning. Selected Tobacco certainly has the best packaging for their premium releases. The cedar lining the box also has that sweet spice aroma found in quality spanish cedar humidors. This is not the typical wood you find in most cigar boxes. Certainly a box made with the intention to be used as a humidor, not just marketed as one.
As for the cigar, the cellophane is cut at the foot, which is done for long term aging to allow the cigar to continue breathing in the cedar from the box. The band has the same integrity as the core Bandolero, but a gold flash establishing that this is a different caliber. The wrapper is silky smooth with a golden tan shine. The triple cap is tight, and the cigar has firm visible seams. Gentle pressure on the cigar shows there are no knots, and it is even packed.
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan ligero and Peruvian
- Vitola: 5 ¼ x 52 Robusto
- Factory: Tabacos de Costa Rica
- Released: April 2025
- Box Quantity: Limited Release
- MSRP: $32.00 single ($950.00 box of 25)
PERFORMANCE NOTES
The aroma of the Bendolero Premium Bravos is a sweet cedar, with a subtle green tea and leather. After a straight cut, the cold draw is a perfect draw with just enough resistance. Similar resistance to drinking through a straw. The cold draw is cedar, redwood, leather, earth, and a slight perfumey floral. There is a subtle spice along the lips from the tobacco.
FIRST THIRD
After lighting the Bandolero Premium Bravos my palate is met with salted peanuts and a dark cedar note that floods the entire palate. The texture is very starchy, it is dense. There is a similar wood note that I have experienced in the Alfonso line. It is Italian red oak, if you were tasting an old-world red wine. It is refined, dark, and has a sensation of tannin.
The retrohale absolutely severs through the initial palate taste and allows the subtleties of the blend to be noted. A soothing baking spice warms up the nose and is followed by a soft earth, lemongrass, citrus, and leather. There is a milk chocolate that develops after the vapors have settled on my palate, with a creamy espresso developing through for a medium finish. To sum up the first third with a relatable note, I can say this taste and aroma is familiar with a well aged Cuban Bolivar Belicocos Finos.
I typically make general notes at the end of my reviews, but I feel it must be mentioned that all three samples started right out of the gate with a blast of taste and aroma. The ash was bleach white and firm. I would not call it “stacking dimes” I would say it is more like “stacking cans” because the ash has no breaks where the draws occurred. The burn line is razor sharp. Also, smoke production is notable as well since the draw has perfect resistance, a slight draw produces ample smoke. I will touch on the importance of this later.
SECOND THIRD
Starting the second third the Bandolero Premium Bravos keeps that starchy texture. There is a sweet red oak, cedar, and redwood. It is interesting, based on the amount of smoke you pull on the draw is the type of wood you taste. The aging process for this cigar is no joke, it really picks up the different types of cedar lined in the aging room. The spice noted on the retrohale prior has found its way on the palate. An anise is present towards the front of the palate.
The retrohale stays consistent with the first third with some added subtle notes. The pepper through the nose is a mix of baking spice and a red pepper. There is a slight floral sweetness that is mixed with a hint of maple. The wood notes from prior are even more complex through the nose. The milk chocolate and expresso have merged together to give a similar taste and mouthfeel as a Cafe Cubano. Overall, the Bandolero Premium Bravos maintains its solid construction. It is worth further mentioning that due to the draw being firm with ample air flow, I am able to draw from the cigar every two minutes to allow the tobacco to burn cooler with ease. Oftentimes this is difficult to do.
FINAL THIRD
The final third has a darker impression on my palate. A rich oak wood with charred maple is introduced to the starchy texture of the smoke on my tongue. There is a slight fungal type savoriness that develops after the taste has settled. The spice has moved towards the back of my throat. There is a slight cherry sweetness that I pick up for a moment. As I took my last mouth draw without retrohaling I picked up a new cedar variety I have not tasted yet in this cigar, and it was a sort of charred spicy cedar.
The retrohale is calmer than I expected based on how bolder the palate was. There is a lemon citrus green tea that I can identify which was not present since the start of the review. The spice remains the same, continuing to warm the palate. Instead of a salty peanut there is now a toasted almond, having a more umami aroma. The body of the cigar has maintained a tick above medium. It is impressive how the blend stayed so consistent throughout the smoke, with only subtle changes that create such a unique cigar smoking experience.
Core Flavors: Cedar, oak, redwood, maple, floral, citrus, lemon, green tea, leather
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Complexity: Medium full
Smokin Experience
The Bandolero Premium Bravos has exceeded my pre Premium Cigar Association 2025 Tradeshow expectations. On the show, Matt and I discussed how I thought this was going to be one of the more impressive cigars based on the blend using a Habano 2000 which we do not often see. The blend has maintained a satisfying experience throughout each sample and really targets an old world Cuban taste and aroma. Most notably, all three samples were consistent and had a perfect score for construction. This is the first in my reviews with SmokinTabacco where a cigar has scored perfectly for construction. This is something I wish I found more often with these $30 plus pricetag cigars.
Purchase recommendation: Box
Smokin Facts
- A Bandolero is a Spanish translation of a “bootlegger”. In American history, we found bootlegging present during the Prohibition era.
- Interestingly, if my history is correct, after Columbus introduced the modern cigar to Seville Spain in 1492, cigar making was monopolized by the Spanish government. I believe “Bandolero” is a testament to those who smuggled their own tobacco into the country during this period.
- With that said, it is a fun process that these cigars are shipped to Spain to age for three years, knowing the significance to the name.
- I think it is worth noting that even though Bandolero is around a $15 cigar, the “Premium” is not a typical Bandolero. This is right in line with Atabey and dare I say, the Alfonso which received high awards from SmokinTabacco.
Smokin Wrap
Cigars Smoked for the Review: Three
Average smoking time: Two hours and thirty eight minutes
