Alec Bradley Black Market

I along with everyone else has heard alot from Alec Bradley these last few years.  Within the past while the company has become a major player in the premium cigar field.  They position themselves between the big corporate brands and the small boutique brands offering a more traditional approach with some great cigars.  So, I finally got a chance to smoke an Alec Bradley.

When you first look at the Black Market, you notice the packaging which looks like an arms crate at a third world airport, or from a bad movie.  The cigar itself has an over-sized foot band that covers more than half of the stick.  After disposing of the wrapping there is a normal band and a good cigar.  I clipped the end and lit the cigar easily after noticing the nice dark maduro wrapper.  The finish is a rich oily dark brown.  It smelled slightly nutty and sweet.  The cigar drew well and produced lots of smoke.

The first few puffs of this smoke were overwhelming.  I got spice and heat without anything else, but it quickly quieted down to a dull roar and some of the nutty, chocolate came through.  I think the intent of this cigar is one of full rich sweetness with a tinge of spice.  If that is the case it is a success.  In the final third of the cigar the spice became stronger overpowering the chocolate at the finish.  This is a full bodied or ‘dinner’ cigar.

Construction of the cigar is excellent, as you would expect from a front line manufacturer.

At $7.40, it is not an inexpensive cigar, nor is overpriced.  If you like a full bodied rich smoke with a range of flavor, this cigar will serve you well.  I am hoping to have the chance to smoke another to see if that first hit of strength was unique to my particular cigar or it is typical of the line.