Robusto, 5.25" x 52 ring gauge / approx. $6, Tobacco World
It's another time that I have to admit...I'm not the biggest fan of Alec Bradley cigars. They tend to be heavy on the Honduran and that's my problem with them...the flavor profile usually just isn't in my wheelhouse. But I heard good things about the Black Market so I wanted to give it a try; after all, I'm a firm believer in trying new and different cigars...even if you have a pre-conceived notion about them. I love it when I'm not expecting much and a cigar surprises me. This stogie is made of Honduran and Panamanian fillers, a Sumatran binder, and a Nicaraguan wrapper. I paid it with some peaty Laphroiag Scotch.
The cigar felt solid and somewhat weighty; it also had a nice oily sheen to it. The prelight draw had mostly a flavor natural tobacco, with just a little earthiness to it. It took some effort to get the Black Market lit; when I did, I was greeted with what seemed to be a middle-of-the-road smoke...earthy, medium to full in body, nutty on the retrohale, just the smallest bit of spice on the nose. That impression held up through the rest of the first third and on into the second.
In the end, the Black Market did not floor me with flavor, but neither was it something I longed to extinguish before it was over. It was a good cigar that paired well with my peaty Scotch. Whether I would buy a bunch more, though, is up for debate. While I did enjoy it, there are plenty of other stogies in this price range that I enjoy more. I may have to try this one again in a different size.
It's another time that I have to admit...I'm not the biggest fan of Alec Bradley cigars. They tend to be heavy on the Honduran and that's my problem with them...the flavor profile usually just isn't in my wheelhouse. But I heard good things about the Black Market so I wanted to give it a try; after all, I'm a firm believer in trying new and different cigars...even if you have a pre-conceived notion about them. I love it when I'm not expecting much and a cigar surprises me. This stogie is made of Honduran and Panamanian fillers, a Sumatran binder, and a Nicaraguan wrapper. I paid it with some peaty Laphroiag Scotch.
The cigar felt solid and somewhat weighty; it also had a nice oily sheen to it. The prelight draw had mostly a flavor natural tobacco, with just a little earthiness to it. It took some effort to get the Black Market lit; when I did, I was greeted with what seemed to be a middle-of-the-road smoke...earthy, medium to full in body, nutty on the retrohale, just the smallest bit of spice on the nose. That impression held up through the rest of the first third and on into the second.
In the end, the Black Market did not floor me with flavor, but neither was it something I longed to extinguish before it was over. It was a good cigar that paired well with my peaty Scotch. Whether I would buy a bunch more, though, is up for debate. While I did enjoy it, there are plenty of other stogies in this price range that I enjoy more. I may have to try this one again in a different size.
I have the Black Market and Prensado sitting in my humidor waiting to smoke...will be my first Alec Bradley sticks...excited to try them...seeing that the peaty scotch was a good pairing with the Black Market, I may have to go with some Bowmore scotch for the occasion. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI picked up a few of these a few months ago when they first hit the shelves. I wasn't too impressed with the first one I smoked, so I kinda forgot about them. When positive reviews started popping up, I decided to give them another chance. They definitely benefited from the extra rest. I liked it. I still prefer the Tempus & Family Blend, though.
ReplyDeleteNice right up. First of all I'm caught by your choice of Scotch. Love Laphroiag great scotch. I have heard good things about the Black Market. I will search these out I have heard the 6x60 is the best size.
ReplyDeleteI've seen varying opinions on this cigar. Only one way for me to find out for sure...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest take.
I got one of these as a pre-release and was impressed with it, if memory serves me. Haven't had one since, though. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
ReplyDeletethese bad boys are my fav so far this year, smoked a box and each one was nice! foozer69
ReplyDelete