Alec Bradley Sanctum Robusto

1 review for Alec Bradley Sanctum Robusto

1. 

   Rated 3 out of 5

   Ray

   – April 27, 2016

   

   Origin : Honduras
   Format : Robusto
   Size : 5 x 52
   Wrapper : Honduran Corojo
   Filler : Columbian, Nicaraguan and Honduran
   Binder : Costa Rican
   Hand-Made
   Price : ~$7 each

   The Alec Bradley Sanctum uses tobacco from four different countries to deliver an experience which is fairly unique in the Alec Bradley catalogue. Whereas most cigars in the brand’s catalogue have an earthy flavor profile, this one is distinctly different. It was developed under the direct supervision of executive vice president Ralph Montero. The name “Sanctum” is meant to indicate that this is a cigar which is best enjoyed in solitude. An experience with Sanctum is a way of “getting away from it all.” Does it live up to its name? Let’s find out.

   Appearance : [rating:4/5]
   This cigar has a medium brown wrapper and a very wide band. There is some oil on the wrapper leaf, but it lends only a faint sheen. While most of the wrapper is smooth, there are some very prominent veins and seams which add a rustic appearance. Whether you like this look or not depends on your preferences. The band is quite elaborate and worth a long look.

   Construction : [rating:5/5]
   When it comes to construction, the Alec Bradley Sanctum Robusto is nothing but win. The draw is just slightly tight, but not unpleasantly so, which is perfect for me. The burn line is pretty even throughout the smoke, and it only required minor corrections. The ash hangs on tightly and falls off in nice chunks.

   Flavor : [rating:4.5/5]
   The flavors are enjoyable from start to finish. In the beginning, mostly I picked up natural tobacco with a hint of fruit (I couldn’t be sure what). There was also plenty of wood and pepper. At no point however was the pepper overwhelming. In the middle third, nuts became the most prominent notes, and the other flavors dropped into the background (but never went away). In the final third, the wood and pepper notes were most pronounced.

   There are two things I really like about this flavor profile. The first is that I was able to smoke this cigar all the way down to the nub without a hint of harshness. That is rare. The second thing I like is the consistency. This cigar mostly cycles through the same flavors from start to finish, but the different notes rise and fall in prominence. It is like a symphony featuring the same instruments throughout, but different sections take center stage. So there is plenty of variety, but never a sense of randomness.

   Value : [rating:5/5]
   At around $7 per stick, I cannot complain about the price. This is a great cigar, and it is better than many stogies I have tried that cost $9 or more.

   Overall Rating : [rating:4.5/5]
   I was very impressed with the Alec Bradley Sanctum Robusto. It really does create a beautiful “sanctum” of flavors in which you can relax and lose yourself. The construction can’t be beat. I could easily see making this an everyday smoke.

   [sz]alec bradley sanctum[/sz]

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