Nelson Alfonso, the visionary owner and creator of Selected Tobacco, employs a unique aging process in the cigar industry. After the cigars are rolled, they are placed in cedar wood rooms reminiscent of wooden barrels used in whisky aging. However, these rooms are constructed from a unique blend of five different types of cedar wood, spanning from floor to ceiling. The humidity levels are carefully controlled, fluctuating daily. This meticulous approach sets Atabey cigars apart from all others.

The question that intrigued Nelson Alfonso was the effect of doubling the aging period from 5 to 10 years. Drawing an analogy to Scotch whisky, the transformation is akin to comparing Macallan 12-year with Macallan 18-year. The additional six years imparts distinct changes in flavor and complexity, with the latter commanding a significantly higher price. Just as Macallan 12 costs $80 and Macallan 18 five times that at $400, the extended aging of Atabey cigars adds an entirely new dimension to their character and value.