This is a new offering from Alec Bradley. The cigar is a beautiful presentation with a dark maduro wrapper the color of milk chocolate. There are almost no veins of any consequence and the cigar is supple and appropriately firm. The pre light aroma is of coffee with a slight barnyard undertone. The pre light draw is of cocoa and light wood.
The smoke opens with notes of coffee and black pepper, the pepper notes are near overwhelming and detract from the opening gambit. The burn is acceptable and a nice gray ash holds for a couple of inches before I have to quietly drop it in the tray. There is no further development in the first two inches.
The middle of the cigar develops with coffee and earthy notes that compliment each other well. There is a deep rich tobacco flavor at the back of the palate and the smoke is ample. A run develops that temporarily disrupts the burn, but I am able to smoke through it without issues. The cigar is otherwise performing well to this point.
The final third maintains it's core of coffee flavors, but there are notes of cocoa presenting themselves at the back of the palate. The burn has leveled off and the cigar continues with an above average performance.
The finish is long and contains notes of spice, cocoa and earth. There is a slightly sour note that appears, but it is not horrible.
Appearance- 92 an excellent looking smoke
Taste- 88 above average, but it was hurt by the sour notes and the peppery outburst at the outset
Construction- 86 the run in the middle hurts the score
Strength- 87 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 88.25 a solid above average performance
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