Alec Bradley Tempus Natural

A medium to full-bodied smoke with flavours that took me down memory lane.

I confess to having reservations about this cigar. However, I can't put my finger on why. I smoked an AB Prensado before and enjoyed it, although it was a little strong for a lightweight like me.

Right out of the wrapper, this stick had an alluring aroma that was at once mossy, musty, with a damp-woody undertone. It made me want to get into it right away.

Upon lighting, the draw was just on the loose side of perfect. It gave off plenty of aromatic smoke that was a pre-cursor to the pleasures that lay ahead.

Immediate flavours were woody, peppery with a hint of cocoa. The finish was mild and creamy, and the spice of the pepper lingered to the end. This quickly became more complex, with sweet tobacco and some burnt-woody notes creeping in.

As time went on, the flavours transitioned into espresso, with a hint of toasted nuts. The smoke output also increased so I got a mouthful of this creamy vapour. Then an earthy undertone began to make its presence felt.

The construction was very good. The burn was almost razor-sharp throughout.

About an hour in I became aware of the strength. As one without a great tolerance for nicotine this did create a slight anxiety. Was I going to be on the ceiling when I finished this cigar?

Around the same time, the next transition took place. I got a nice, aromatic cedar with a side of spice. The finish grew longer, tasting of cocoa, quickly followed by espresso and toasted nuts. Then came the lingering spice that took me through to the next draw.

The strength continued beating up on me, but it wasn't too bad. The flavours were getting stronger, with the final transition taking place. It brought a stronger tobacco taste, with a nice, minty tongue-tingling sensation. A sweetness followed, and something that almost brought a tear to my eye. It was a taste from my childhood; of the chips (fries, if you're American) my dad used to cook. He always slightly over-cooked them so they had a toasty, slightly nutty flavour that I loved.

I got an hour and a half out of this stick. It was the best way to spend an early afternoon that I can think of.

In conclusion, this is a fine cigar, well-made, with a flavour profile that I'm sure would appeal to most palettes. Smoke this, and enjoy a flavour trip you'll want to repeat over and over.