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- Jan 29, 2009
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Alec Bradley Prensado
Size: 7" x 48 rg Churchill
Wrapper: Corojo 2006
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan / Honduran
Strength: Full
(Apologies for the lack of pictures. This cigar was smoked at Bo's lounge, and I didn't have my camera with me. Guess it's time to keep a small point and shoot over there for spur of the moment reviews! :laugh
Today was a great day over at Bo's cigar lounge, as I had the opportunity to meet the local representative from Alec Bradley cigars and sample a new cigar. I've only had a couple Alec Bradley cigars, the first being something I can't remember, and the second being being the Tempus. I didn't care for the first cigar, whatever it was, but the Tempus was a great smoke and I can't wait to have another. That being said, I was more than happy to smoke something not many others have heard of, much less smoked. Here is a little information on the cigar:
Pre-Light
Let me start by saying that Alec Bradley cigars have to have some of the stranger bands I have seen. I'm not sure what their bands are trying to impart visually, but they are a bit freaky looking. This band was no exception, and though odd and not something I care for, it isn't horrible (I.E. LFD Coronado). The construction of the cigar itself was very well done on the outside (I say outside, as later in this review I'll find out otherwise), with a very dark corojo wrapper that didn't have the usual rosado appearance about it. There was a lot of oils on the surface of the wrapper, with the cap being well done and the foot being nicely bunched. The weight of the cigar was a bit heavy in the hand, and when squeezed along its length the cigar had several hard spots mixed with several soft spots. Uh-oh. ???
Burn & Draw
I chose to punch this cigar as the squeeze test made me worried that the draw could be either too loose or too tight, and I figured I could work my way up the size of the opening in the head to adjust the draw as best as possible. Luckily, the initial punch was fine, as the draw came through perfectly with just the right amount of resistance. Unfortunately, the burn was the major flaw I found, as throughout the entire length of the cigar I was plagued with empty caverns in the tobacco, as well as a large number of tunnels that caused the cigar to go out several times. This caused me to have to do several relights, purges and touchups, which I have to say was more than annoying. :angry:
Flavor Profile
Fortunately for Alec Bradley, the flavor profile was where this cigar earned its high marks. Right off the bat I was hit with a huge peppery blast that seared the nostrils and tongue. There is definitely a good amount of Nicaraguan ligero in this thing. After about a third of an inch in, the pepper backed down to an enjoyable level that matched the strength nicely, and enabled me to start picking up the various tastes. I found the cigar to be ripe with flavors of rich, dark tobacco, earthiness, spicy black pepper, leather and a polar opposite sweetness that I couldn't figure out. The aroma of the smoke coming off this thing was a very odd one, with what the rep described as a, "complex bouquet". I'd be inclined to agree. The flavors were pretty solid throughout the duration of the cigar, with not much change in strength.
Overall Impression
Despite the horrible construction problems that were prevalent throughout the entire length of the smoke, I'd have to say I did enjoy the cigar for the taste. I do think that the Tempus is a much better cigar, but the Prensado was still a pleasant surprise. I would certainly be happy to try another one in hopes that better construction would expose the flavors more and perhaps bring out a complexity that I feel may be present without the constant purges and relights. This cigar was a solid performer that I feel would age well due to the powerhouse blend of tobaccos, and I'd be very interested in seeing how a few years of downtime improves it.
Size: 7" x 48 rg Churchill
Wrapper: Corojo 2006
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan / Honduran
Strength: Full
(Apologies for the lack of pictures. This cigar was smoked at Bo's lounge, and I didn't have my camera with me. Guess it's time to keep a small point and shoot over there for spur of the moment reviews! :laugh
Today was a great day over at Bo's cigar lounge, as I had the opportunity to meet the local representative from Alec Bradley cigars and sample a new cigar. I've only had a couple Alec Bradley cigars, the first being something I can't remember, and the second being being the Tempus. I didn't care for the first cigar, whatever it was, but the Tempus was a great smoke and I can't wait to have another. That being said, I was more than happy to smoke something not many others have heard of, much less smoked. Here is a little information on the cigar:
Pre-Light
Let me start by saying that Alec Bradley cigars have to have some of the stranger bands I have seen. I'm not sure what their bands are trying to impart visually, but they are a bit freaky looking. This band was no exception, and though odd and not something I care for, it isn't horrible (I.E. LFD Coronado). The construction of the cigar itself was very well done on the outside (I say outside, as later in this review I'll find out otherwise), with a very dark corojo wrapper that didn't have the usual rosado appearance about it. There was a lot of oils on the surface of the wrapper, with the cap being well done and the foot being nicely bunched. The weight of the cigar was a bit heavy in the hand, and when squeezed along its length the cigar had several hard spots mixed with several soft spots. Uh-oh. ???
Burn & Draw
I chose to punch this cigar as the squeeze test made me worried that the draw could be either too loose or too tight, and I figured I could work my way up the size of the opening in the head to adjust the draw as best as possible. Luckily, the initial punch was fine, as the draw came through perfectly with just the right amount of resistance. Unfortunately, the burn was the major flaw I found, as throughout the entire length of the cigar I was plagued with empty caverns in the tobacco, as well as a large number of tunnels that caused the cigar to go out several times. This caused me to have to do several relights, purges and touchups, which I have to say was more than annoying. :angry:
Flavor Profile
Fortunately for Alec Bradley, the flavor profile was where this cigar earned its high marks. Right off the bat I was hit with a huge peppery blast that seared the nostrils and tongue. There is definitely a good amount of Nicaraguan ligero in this thing. After about a third of an inch in, the pepper backed down to an enjoyable level that matched the strength nicely, and enabled me to start picking up the various tastes. I found the cigar to be ripe with flavors of rich, dark tobacco, earthiness, spicy black pepper, leather and a polar opposite sweetness that I couldn't figure out. The aroma of the smoke coming off this thing was a very odd one, with what the rep described as a, "complex bouquet". I'd be inclined to agree. The flavors were pretty solid throughout the duration of the cigar, with not much change in strength.
Overall Impression
Despite the horrible construction problems that were prevalent throughout the entire length of the smoke, I'd have to say I did enjoy the cigar for the taste. I do think that the Tempus is a much better cigar, but the Prensado was still a pleasant surprise. I would certainly be happy to try another one in hopes that better construction would expose the flavors more and perhaps bring out a complexity that I feel may be present without the constant purges and relights. This cigar was a solid performer that I feel would age well due to the powerhouse blend of tobaccos, and I'd be very interested in seeing how a few years of downtime improves it.
