It’s Stog o’Clock, and this time, I take a look at the famed Alec Bradley Prensado in the Robusto size. This 5×50 box-pressed cigar looks like a million bucks with its classy label and gorgeous, dark Corojo wrapper out of the Trojes region in Honduras. Inside is a Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. The Churchill size of this blend was named Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado in 2011.

The wrapper gives off a barnyard and tobacco aroma with a floral smell coming out of the foot. The cold draw gives me a spicy and musty floral note. Once lit up, the cigar opens with rich chocolate and leather on top of some floral flavors. There is a slight spice and dark chocolate on the finish.

After thirty five minutes, this slower burner closes out the first third. On the draw, there is a rich leather note with some spicy chocolate and a floral earth. The retro-hale produces a delicious cocoa and black pepper mix. The finish is long with a salty tree bark flavor alongside floral coffee and sweet cocoa. Strength and body are both at the full mark.

One hour in, the second third comes to a close. The draw gives me spicy leather with some floral oak flavor and a hint of espresso. Through the nose, there is a blast of red pepper and leather. On the finish, I pick up grassy cocoa contrasting a smoky wood and leather combo. There is no change to strength or body.

The final third gets me to an hour and a half. On the draw, my palate is now blasted with cinnamon on top of more floral earth and dark coffee. The retro-hale gives me a caramel and leather mix backed up by some black pepper. The finish is both sweet and spicy with a tasty chocolate and vanilla note alongside bold leather. Strength and body finish out at the full mark.

Overall, this cigar blew me away. I had smoked a few of these previously and not been very impressed, but with a year of age, this blend opens up to a wonderful, complex smoke. The Robusto lasted much longer than expected, and I loved every puff. As long as you intend to age them, the Prensado is definitely a box-worthy stick. I can’t wait to see how this blend develops after even further aging. Consider me a believer!

Smoke on!
-Noah (CutLightSmoke)