NAME: Alec Bradley Black Market
DATE: 12-4-2020
RATE: 89
PRICE: $9-$10
STRENGTH: 1 2 (3) 4 5
REVIEWER: Aaron M. Paoletta – www.lavegalounge.com
`
I’ll start off by saying, I have smoked quite a few Alec Bradley‘s cigars and anyone who knows me or has followed me knows that I love Alec Bradley Cigars. However, as I am going into this cigar, I have my doubts. I’m failing to see the appeal of the cigar in particular. The cigar came highly recommended to me by an associate who would rant and rave about the Alec Bradley cigar lineup. I am told it is a very popular cigar on the shelf of most humidors and at first glance it looks pretty decent but there is a lot going on with the label.
As I get into it, I find that this cigar has a sweet Nicaraguan Jalappa wrapper with Panamanian and Honduran fillers. The wrapper is slightly oily and fatty with a beautiful sheen and has a little bit of a tart note as you press it to your lips.
The flavor profile is a plethora of interesting flavor combinations. Almost too many at one time as it confuses your palate. It starts off with a dark chocolate note and somewhat mild morning brewed coffee flavor profile but there is an immediate spice. I’m going to lean with red pepper as it doesn’t have the harshness of black pepper nor the disgusting bitter flavor from white pepper. It has some undertones of clove, cedar and a very earthy boldness. There is a touch of leather in the very back. Very smooth and velvety and the draw is actually not too shabby. However, As you move through the thirds of the cigar it doesn’t change much.
This is a very simple cigar and I can see why it’s popular. It’s not completely expanding horizons of difficult tasting once you figure out the initial profile of the cigar in flavor but it’s something that anyone can figure out as you move through the thirds of the cigar it doesn’t change much. The flavor profile stays the same from the first light up until it’s burning your lips.
Although I think this cigar is a very basic cigar, sometimes simplicity is what people look for. When you fire up a cigar and have a plethora of flavors, to the novice or intermediate cigar smokers, it can be quite daunting. Some people just want to sit and enjoy the cigar. I look for cigars to challenge my palate. Although this does not impress me in that manner, I would definitely smoke this again and did enjoy it. I was just lead into it under false pretense us which is why I was confused.