Alec Bradley Tempus Magistri Maduro

Todays review is yet another cigar from Alec Bradley! This time it is the Tempus Maduro, which was released last month in very limited quantities. Only 20,000 cigars were made, released in boxes of 20. 1000 boxes is NOT alot in the cigar world, and it wouldn't surprise me if these are basically sold out (I am sure there are some here and there, but not at the shops I go to). The maduro is only available in the Magistri size, a 6.5 X 54 figurado. This cigar has the same makeup as the regualar Tempus line (a mix of Honduran and Nicaraguan), but with an amazingly dark and oily maduro wrapper. This is probably one of the most attractive maduro wrappers I have seen in a long time.

The predraw flavors are of strong, sweet tobacco with just a touch of coffee. Immediately after lighting you can tell that the maduro wrapper is going to be a huge component in the flavor profile. The Tempus usually starts off with the classic woody Alec Bradley flavor profile, but with the maduro, it starts out with rich coffee, earth and a little bit of dark chocolate. Its always fun to try a cigar you like with a different wrapper. I am always amazed to see the difference it makes and how much flavor the wrapper adds to the blend. The burnline is a little uneven, but with cigars shaped like this, that tends to be the case until you get past the perfecto tip. This seemed to be a solid medium bodied cigar. This cigar just screamed for something nice to drink with it, so i grabbed a Goose Island Oatmeal Stout, and the coffee flavors in the beer really work nicely with those in the cigar.

The flavors remained very consistent throughout this cigar and were very nice! Loads of rich coffee, earth and dark chocolate on the finish. The maduro wrapper was very influential to the flavor of this cigar. I have smoked a ton of the regular Tempus, which all have the woody flavor I usually get with Alec Bradley's cigars, and it was not present with the maduro. This blend worked really nicely with this wrapper. I am normally not a very big maduro smoker, but this is definitely one I would like to smoke again. Too bad I didn't buy more when I had the chance because they are gone now! The burnline had to be touched up a few times, but I think that was due to the thicker and oilier maduro wrapper. If you are able to get your hands on these, definitely do so, but I am pretty sure they are sold out nationally at this point. I paid around $10 for this cigar, and for such a limited release, I didn't think this was a bad price.

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Alec Bradley SCR

Todays review is of the Alec Bradley Select Cabinet Reserve Robusto. This 5X50 cigar sports a huge band and a smaller one on the foot, which is a little overkill but I actually like the packaging on most of Alec Bradley's cigars. The wrapper is Honduran, the binder is Honduran/Indonesian, and the filler is a mix of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco. I am always impressed with the blends Alec Bradley comes up with. This is a nice looking cigar, even with a slightly veiny wrapper. I found no soft spots and it seems to have a very even roll to it.

The predraw shows some cocoa mixed with musty tobacco flavors. The classic woody flavor I usually find at the core of Alec Bradley cigars is present right away, with a very prominent and pleasant leather note. There is also a light coffee flavor here, nothing too dark, but nice and creamy with just a little spice on the finish. This is a very smooth cigar, hovering right around medium bodied, but definitely full flavored. At the halfway point, a cinnamon/sugar cakey flavor shows up to the party, and was definitely welcome.

This was another tasty cigar by Alec Bradley. I bought this one at an event for around $6, and will definitely be picking up a few more. This a very smooth, flavorful cigar that probably won't wow you, but definitely won't disappoint. For me, this is another great afternoon cigar.