Alec Bradley Prensado

Today's review is of Alec Bradley's new line for the year called Prensado. From what I've heard, this cigar has been in the work since 2007. I am smoking the Corona Gorda, which measures in at 5 5/8 X 46 (a favorite size of mine). This cigar is made up of a very dark 06' Honduran Corojo wrapper, a Nicaraguan Jalapa binder, and a mix of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler. This cigar appears to be very nicely constructed, and falls into what I have been calling the rustic look. This meaning that its not the prettiest wrapper, showing a few veins, but is attractive in its own way. Alec Bradley seems to love big ornate bands, but they always seem to suit the cigar. They are vibrant, but not overdone.

This is a box pressed cigar,but it has a light box press compared to some with sharper edges from other cigar companies.

The predraw shows just a hint of sweetness and light tobacco flavor, . However, after lighting, this cigar is definitely not light on flavor. The woody flavor I have come to expect with AB's cigars is again at the core of this cigar, but with this one it's a deeper and darker flavor. The finish is a mix of sweetness and spice. This is starting off fuller in flavor and body that most of the Alec Bradley's I have smoked. There is definitely some leather and bitter cocoa flavors mingling in here as well. So far this is a nice and full flavored cigar, in the medium to medium full bodied category. The blend is nicely balanced, showing clean flavors that are working really well together. The burn and draw have been fantastic.

The Prensado is yet another home run by Alec Bradley. After smoking two of these, they have joined the Tempus as one of my favorite cigars by Alec Bradley. These are more full bodied than the Tempus, right up there in the medium/full range, and very full flavored. This line is a little more expensive than the Tempus, I think i paid $9 for this one. At that price I won't be smoking it nearly as much as the Tempus, but I can definitely see myself keeping some of these on hand. Alec Bradley is one of the company's i have really been impressed with over the last year, and I can't wait to see what they come up with next.