Alec Bradley Black Market Robusto Review

Alec Bradley Black Market Robusto - 5.25 X 54. Wrapper - Nicaragua, Binder - Sumatra, Filler - Panama, Honduras. Medium-full bodied.

Initial lighting taste - Earth & wood.

First third - Spice, Earth, woodiness, leather with some bitterness and a chocolaty sweetness emerging about halfway through the first third.

Second third - Spice, bittersweet chocolate Earthiness and leather. The woodiness has now diminished during this part of the cigar. Smooth with nice balance.

Last third - Spice, bittersweet chocolate earthiness and leather. Nice long finish of spicy Earthiness.

Construction - Beautiful silky sheen, dark-brown wrapper with no major veins. Burn was decent with a darkish-gray colored ash that held on and was solid. Draw was good with a good amount of smoke.

When I first learned that this cigar has Panamanian tobacco in it, I was a bit concerned as to how it would affect the cigar as it is a leaf that if not blended correctly, can really make the cigar profile taste bitter. I did experience this in the first half inch of this cigar, but then the balance kicked in and really gave this cigar great smoothness. Excellent complexity as well - I really liked the spiciness blended with the bittersweet chocolate. The Earthiness (from the Panamanian tobacco) was deep and rich and really worked very well with the other flavors. MSRP for this size is $8.00 which is pretty much the price point you would expect from an Alec Bradley Cigar. I would put this cigar near the top of their portfolio as one of my favorites right beside the Tempus Maduro. Definite recommend.