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.

Searching for that perfect cigar ashtray? Stop by ThePerfectAshtray.com and check out their large selection of crystal ashtrays.

Alec Bradley Tempus Lancero

Todays cigar is a new one for me, an Alec Bradley Tempus lancero. This cigar measures in at 7.5 inches by 41 ring. This size cigar to me has always given off a feeling and look of elegance. A lot of people dont like this size though, people want a shorter fatter cigar for some reason in todays market. This cigar is made up of the following:
Origin: Honduras (Raices Cubanas)
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras

I dont smoke alot of Honduran tobacco, but you can definitely taste the fuller flavored Nicaraguan flavors coming in over the Honduran. If you are going to make a lancero, you better be sure you have a very flavorful wrapper, because the wrapper to binder/filler ratio is so different than a more standard shaped cigar.

So far this is a medium bodied cigar, with bitter and heavy earthy flavor. The wrapper looks like a bar of dark chocolate. There is also a very woody flavor coming through on this cigar, but overall it is very one dimensional so far. That bitterness is almost like a strait espresso flavor. You need to take your time with a lancero, because of its small ring gauge. If you dont, it will burn hot and bitter. Im taking my time with it, but getting impatient. I want to like this cigar, its affordable, very nice looking, and one of my favorite sizes. Not a lot of companies are making lanceros. Overall, not what i expected, but not bad. Would i try it again? yes, but i would probably try another size since this one wasnt my cup of tea.