Alec Bradley Prensado

Overall Score

1 review for Alec Bradley Prensado

  1. The Cap'n

    Alec Bradley Prensado

    Photo credit: Stogie Review

    Origin : Honduras
    Alec BradleyFormat : Robusto
    Size : 5 x 50
    Wrapper : Honduran Corojo 2006
    Filler : Honduras, Nicaragua
    Binder : Nicaraguan Jalapa
    Hand-Made
    Price : ~$8 each

    Last Friday I had the distinct pleasure and privilege of smoking with Mr. George Sosa, National Sales Director of Alec Bradley Cigars, and was fortunate enough to be one of the first to receive their newest release, the Prensado. Not only is Mr. Sosa one of the company’s three principal executives, he is also a retired U.S. Navy – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, so naturally he and I hit it off right away and he is also the only other person in the industry I have ever met who knew the answer to the riddle of why do Bomb Technicians like box-pressed cigars? If you want to know, you have to ask.

    The Prensado was débuted by Alec Bradley at this year’s IPCPR convention in New Orleans and is their strongest cigar to date. It is being released in five vitollas: Corona Gorda, Robusto, Churchill, Gran Toro, and Torpedo. It is made with a Honduran – Corojo 2006 wrapper, a Nicaraguan – Jalapa binder, and Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. It is box-pressed and has a maduro-colored, oily wrapper that had a little veiny character to it. The body had a mild pre-light aroma with a hint of sweetness and more pronounced aromas at the foot. Interestingly, the filler blend could be clearly seen at the foot as a swirl of light and dark tobaccos. The body was also firm with no soft spots or defects and passed the squeeze test with flying colors.

    I made a straight-cut with scissors and tested the draw, which was smooth with light to moderate resistance. The pre-light taste was primarily a pleasant tobacco flavor with notes of slightly bitter cocoa. Once lit it started out mild but shortly began to develop a little spice at the tip of the tongue with stronger notes at the back of the throat. It burned with an attractive blue smoke from the foot and a light grey smoke from the draw, leaving a crisp, semi-dense “zebra-ash”, meaning it was alternately a distinct light and dark grey in color. The early spice, while the dominant flavor characteristic, was mild to moderate and never overwhelming although it did make retro-nasal exhalation a little difficult. This isn’t a big deal of course and is by no means a comment on a cigar’s quality, I just like to do it in order to try and maximize my appreciation of all a cigar has to offer. As it progressed, the spice mellowed in the middle third and maintained a consistent and pleasant flavor throughout. Once into the final third the spice began to reemerge and progress a little farther along the tongue leaving a mild peppery finish.

    My overall opinion is that the Alec Bradley – Prensado is a well made, quality cigar. I enjoyed every minute of it and found it to be a good choice for relaxing alone or with friends. The bi-phasic characteristics of a premium cigar were definitely present in this one and in good proportions to each other.

    [sz]alec bradley prensado[/sz]

    Helpful?
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    • Rob P

      Nice medium-full robusto. First third a little off the scale but the cigar settled down and was an enjoyable enough experience My first AB. Would try again.

    • Uyanik Yildirim

      As a regular cigar smoker of forty two years living in Istanbul-Turkey, I can say that Alec Bradley Prensado is one of the best cigars I have smoked.
      It has all the positive qualities for a good cigar. My compliments to the producers.

    • StrikeAnywhere

      I recently smoked one of these (Corona Gorda) and experienced the same issues as “MountChuck”. It was the first time smoking one despite how long they’ve been out and the 2011 Cigar of the Year pick. I actually prefer Tempus over this blend. It was good, but nothing special — maybe my taste buds weren’t in the right frame of mind for this stick. Last third would not stay lit and burn became horribly uneven. Multiple touch-ups did not help, so the thing got tossed in the ashtray before it normally would.

    • martin

      Great review. I disagreed though. I didn’t find that much flavor in this stick. Extremely smooth but mild to me. My review below: http://wp.me/pSZbU-7C

    • Cap’n

      I’m glad you enjoyed the review and am confident you will enjoy the smoke even more. I am a Marine Corps veteran of the first Gulf War and recall that the big sand box can be relaxing at times, especially at night when it’s quiet. Just keep one eye on the horizon!
      May GOD bless and protect you and watch over your loved ones in your absence. E-mail me any time with questions or to request a specific review.
      SEMPER FIDELIS!
      The Cap’n
      uscaptainsblog.blogspot.com

    • theCorporal

      I have a five pack of these ordered and can’t wait to try them out. I have been a big fan of Alec Bradley for a while. Surprisingly, sitting in the middle of Afghanistan is a very relaxing place to smoke a nice cigar. And I hope no one else ever has to experience it lol. I believe I will take this cigar to “The grand Smoke” in Long Beach. Semper Fi Cap’n

    • Myshkin

      I am a relatively new aspiring aficionado. I live in Tampa, and accordingly have had opportunities to stumble across some great cigars. The Presnado is a new favorite of mine. The aroma and flavor are fantastic. Suprisingly to me, I did have to relight an hour into the cigar, but it was a small price to pay for the enjoyment that the Presnado provided. May God bless all of those who have served and are serving the United States of America.

    • Keith1911

      capn that makes perfect sense!

    • capn

      Because they stay put when you lay them down. We tend not to like things that move around while we are working. Thanks for asking Keith, you are the first.
      I wish you Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
      The Cap’n
      uscaptainsblog.blogspot.com

    • Keith1911

      Ok, I’m curious. Why do bomb techs like box pressed cigars?

    • cigar palace

      Nice review and very good whiskey. How ever I prefer oban 14.

    • MountChuck

      I smoked one of these last week in the Gran Toro size. Excellent flavor. However, the burn was less than impressive. It went out several times and required relights. I’ll grant it was only one sample, and the flavor justifies trying it again. But at nearly $14 after tax in Maryland for that size and nearly $12 for the robusto, I except better construction for the price. I’ll smoke it again, but if I get similar burn results, I won’t smoke one again.

    • capn

      Macallan is definitely one of the finest single-malt Scotches in the world, and one of my favorites. It goes great with premium cigars.
      The Cap’n

    • Avatar photo

      Inspector

      The 12Y.O. Macallan is my all-time favorite single malt. I highly recommend this whisky.

    • handypilot

      Nice review…now how about that 12yr Macallan in the background!

      I haven’t tried any AB sticks yet, but I do have one sitting in the humi reading to smoke…sounds like another review.

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Cigar Region Honduras
Filler Honduras, Nicaragua
Wrapper Honduras
Binder Nicaragua
Length 5
Ring Gauge 50
Vitola Robusto
Construction Hand Made