Alec Bradley Project 40 Maduro Robusto Cigar - 1 Single

Date Added: Saturday 07 September, 2024 by James

Smoke time: 85 minutes
Score: 8-/10
**Cigar Tasting Notes:**

- **Pre-Light / Dry Draw**: The dry draw is rich, with a prominent hint of cocoa that sets the stage for a decadent smoking experience. The draw is effortless, suggesting excellent construction and giving a preview of the flavor profile to come.

- **First Third**:
- **Flavor**: Upon lighting, the first few draws reveal a creamy vanilla flavor, dark and slightly sweet. This vanilla cream is complemented by a medium spice that enhances the overall complexity without overpowering the smoothness of the smoke. The cigar offers a refined and mellow flavor profile that coats the palate in a silky manner.
- **Smoke**: Thick, luxurious clouds of smoke billow with minimal effort, tinged with a subtle blue hue. The aroma is inviting, rich, and satisfying, adding to the overall enjoyment.
- **Construction**: The cigar is well-constructed, with a tight, firm build that maintains its integrity as it burns. The ash holds well, indicating high-quality craftsmanship.

- **Second Third**:
- **Flavor**: The second third continues to deliver the smooth, luxurious experience, with the flavors evolving slightly. A touch of clove spice emerges, adding warmth and depth, while subtle leather undertones give it an earthier, more sophisticated edge. The balance of the smoke remains mellow, with all the flavors complementing one another beautifully.
- **Smoke**: The smoke output remains consistent, producing thick clouds that enhance the tactile enjoyment of the cigar. The burn remains even, requiring little to no maintenance.

- **Final Third**:
- **Flavor**: As the cigar nears its conclusion, the flavors deepen and become richer. The smoothness persists, but there?s an added layer of espresso-like oiliness, giving the final third a bolder, more intense profile. The richness is satisfying, though the cigar requires a bit more attention to keep it burning evenly.
- **Smoke**: The smoke remains plentiful, though the cigar demands more frequent puffing to maintain the satisfying billow of smoke from earlier.
- **Construction**: The quality construction continues to show through, even in the final third, though the cigar does become slightly softer and needs a bit more work to keep going.

- **Overall Impression**: This cigar is a thoroughly enjoyable smoke from start to finish. Its mellow, balanced profile is complemented by subtle transitions in flavor, making it both engaging and relaxing. The interplay of vanilla cream, spice, clove, leather, and espresso creates a well-rounded, elegant smoking experience. The construction is excellent, producing thick smoke with little effort and maintaining an even burn throughout most of the session. While the final third requires a bit more attention, the richness it delivers makes it worth the extra effort. A classy and satisfying cigar that is both approachable and refined.