While I was at IPCPR in July this cigar was one of the most talked about smokes of the show. However, every time I went by the booth there were none to be found. I wasn't even sure that they existed to be honest, since I did not see a single one anywhere during the time I was in Vegas. Wild speculation ensued as to the whereabouts of this particular cigar; conspiracy theories were hatched, foil hats were worn, hearings were held...Of course all of this took place while I was alone in my suite, but it happened, I swear it did...
It was with great interest that I read an e-mail last week from my local B&M that these elusive cigars had finally landed, as if maybe they had been on some journey to outer space (Google this tidbit, you might be entertained). I didn't rush right in to get one, I do work for a living after all, but I did put it on my to smoke list with as asterisk for immediate attention. The minute I got the chance I headed on over there and sat down to see what all the talk was about in July.
The cigar presents well with intricate and entertaining band work. The perfecto is nicely constructed with a very tapered foot, somewhat akin to the Fuente Hemingway series. The wrapper leaf is a wonderful medium brown and it is applied expertly, even the seams are hard to discern. Alec Bradley has really come a long way in a short period of time. My examination does not reveal any areas of concern and the only real issue I can see off the bat is the tapered foot, which often makes the draw tight and lends to early heat in a smoke. The pre light draw is fluid and smooth and smacks of wheat and pepper. The pre light aroma shows a nice mix of earth and wood with a light spice.
The smoke opens with a profile that is somewhat unexpected for me. The core flavors are showing tons of wood and earth notes that are developed, but could use a complementary feature to make it more complex and balanced early on. The back of the palate and through the nose show some nice spice and slight touches of pepper that are interesting, However, I am again left feeling like something more needs to be present here. The draw is very strong and my concerns about the tapered foot are soon allayed. The burn is also on the money early on.
The first half of the smoke develops very nicely. The core profile has a solid woody base that allows for flavors of earth and cinnamon and light pepper to dance across the top of the palate, my only complaint is that there additional flavors are wispy and leave the palate wanting more in a desperate way. The back of the palate really kicks up the spice quotient and I am picking out some clove like flavors with some tones of ginger that has a sharp quality to it, there is also a more satisfying burst of pepper here that adds to the experience nicely. The draw has really opened up and is delivering perfect amounts of smoke with each easy draw. The burn gets a little wonky, but evens out without any effort from me.
The final half of the cigar is also very strong. The core profile really settles into a nice array of earth and wood, again some complementary flavors would be favorable here, but I am nit picky about this kind of stuff. At the back of the palate the cigar really starts to deliver peppery blasts that are full and prevalent, there are still some nice spice notes here and there, but I would like more of it to be present. The draw and burn are solid to the end.
The finish is long and full of pepper notes that linger.
A nice cigar but, watch the price tag as these sneak into the Super Premium range in the larger sizes.
Appearance- 94 a very nice looking smoke that has elegance
Taste- 88 all in all not bad, but it could have been so much more
Construction- 91 some burn issues in the middle, but nicely made
Strength- 87 a nice medium/full
Overall- 89.75 a nice above average smoke and another solid offering from Alec Bradley
