CIGAR REVIEW - Alec Bradley "Black Market Test #2
April 2012 - Posted by The Cigar Intelligence Agency
CIGAR REVIEW - We have been worried and investigating about this smoke. This is Alec Bradley's Black market. We reviewed this cigar a month ago and I went back to re-explore this cigar.
I regrouped my partners and asked them to have it another try.
We came up with the same conclusions: The smoke is decent but lacks of flavors. It does not assimilates with the overal quality of Alec Bradley. Something is missing here and we can't find what it is.
Insiders told us some technical issues were spotted on the very first smokes that shipped out but it is hard for us to classify this cigar as a top smoke.
One thing is sure it is bolder than most ABs and has a different wrapper quality than most cigars from the Dania, FL based company.
We love Alec Bradley but CIA passes on this one.
TOTAL = Status Quo
RECOMMENDED = Fair
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CIGAR REVIEW - ALEC BRADLEY, FAMILY AFFAIR?
In my first hit-list of 2010... I had to light up an Alec Bradley Family Blend. So far AB cigars rank on my top 10 and this family blend is fairly good.
Not as insane as the Tempus by taste or as stylish as a 7 inch Vice Press ( both smoked about minutes after midnight on NYE!!! ) but just a balanced smoke.
You can still feel the AB spice in this smoke with that unique flavor to it. Its more discrete than Tempus but the work and quality of the overall cigar is as usual excellent. 84-85%
TOTAL = 83% (Grade Updated 08/19/2012)(-Down)
RECOMMENDED = YES
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CIGAR REVIEW - DON LINO "AFRICA" KING OF THE JUNGLE!
Don Lino "Africa" Robusto vitola. Very nice compact medium to mild cigar.
Very tight construction for this Robusto with a spicy hit after puffin. I am liking this quite a bit. If the spice was stronger I will totally rate it on my high gunners.
This one is recommended as a good smoke with no doubts.
Great presentation as well.
TOTAL = 86%
RECOMMENDED = YES!
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CIGAR REVIEW - PUROS INDIOS ROSADO CHURCHILL IS A MUST HAVE!
Tnite... while listening to Tesox ( 1995 ) I am smoking a very interesting Puros Indios Rosado Churchill.
This cigar is complex and presents himself with this twisted ultra sweet / super sour twist.
This is a roller coaster under the apparence of a basic smoke. Presentation is basic, brand is not over hyped but the product is definitelly good and complex. 86%
TOTAL = 86%
RECOMMENDED = YES!
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CIGAR REVIEW - STRADIVARIUS IS SMOKING HOT!
CIGAR REVIEW - 2nd to none tnite... smoking a churchill Stradivarius. It tastes just like a white label Montecristo with a slightly smoother smoke depth.
Its good and a pleasant night time smoke. I am not without reserves since the hype around this cigar is elevated. I believe its overprized and you simply pay for the package and the name. Another "over marketed" product.
84% but loose the interest because of its price...
TOTAL = 87% (Updated Grade on 08/19/2012) (+Up)
RECOMMENDED = YES!
CIGAR REVIEW - FONSECA VINTAGE IS GOOD!
CIGAR REVIEW - I received this Fonseca Vintage in my latest trade with Cigar Luckes. It was an ash monster as you can see from the picture. I have to admit I didn't like the start.
Highly dominated by mineral flavor with a strong sugar aftertaste. The middle third however was pleasant, more robust, hints of leather, wood, and a smooth buttery draw. Nearly all the mineral and sugar were gone at the halfway point and it added pepper as a replacement.
The final third left me with a 'nothing special' mind set. I had to remind myself how much I enjoyed the middle third. I'll smoke another one with a strong IPA. I think a refreshing beer would help me through the beginning and end of the smoke.
TOTAL = 87%
RECOMMENDED = YES!
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