25 October 2009

CIGAR REVIEW: Alec Bradley - Select Cabinet Reserve (SCR)




The Alec Bradley – Select Cabinet Reserve (SCR), released earlier in 2009, is a slightly mellower compliment to their Tempus.  Alan Rubin, President of Alec Bradley Cigars, describes the SCR as having fewer spikes and peaks in the flavor profile, and having more balance than the Tempus.  Made in Honduras at Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L., the SCR is being released in five vitollas: Robusto (5 x 50), Gran Robusto (5 ½ x 60), Corona (5 ½ x 42), Torpedo (6 1/8 x 52), and Churchill (7 x 48) in boxes of twenty cigars each.  They are made with a Trojes, Honduran wrapper; Trojes, Honduran and Indonesia Embetunada binders; and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers.  They are reasonably priced, varying approximately in the $6 - $12 range depending on the taxes and other penalties in your area.  For this review, I smoked the Robusto.

The SCR had a good-looking wrapper that I place around Colorado Rosado in color without mentionable flaws and a slightly toothy texture.  The body was firm and didn’t have any soft spots or knots.  It had a sweet and mild tobacco pre-light aroma with what I thought was a distinct cedar note, which I originally attributed to marrying in my humidor.  I made a straight-cut with scissors and tested the pre-light draw and taste, which was smooth with slightly sweet and woody notes, respectively.

The SCR lit easily and produced an attractive blue smoke, which was very smooth during retro-exhalation.  It burned with remarkable evenness and left behind a medium-grey ash, which was crisp and held on for over two inches before dropping off on its own.  As I smoked the first one-third, I detected a woody flavor and the slightest spicy tingle on top of the tongue about ½ inch from the tip.  As it approached the end of the first third, a subtle spice emerged which enveloped the tongue and the inside of the lips.  Right around 1 ½ inches in I thought I began to detect subtle leathery notes as well but was not able to be certain. 

Throughout the middle third the SCR maintained its excellent balance and woody flavor, which seemed to take on a more distinctly cedar quality.  This made me wonder about the pre-light cedar aroma, which I had originally attributed to the humidor, but was now thinking may have been more a characteristic of the cigar itself.  A little past half-way, the burn became a bit uneven and required some touching up; however, at the time it was pouring rain so the humidity was maxed-out and in all likelyhood was the culprit.  Especially when you consider how even it had been up to that point.  Once into the final third the spice became more pronounced but never the least bit overwhelming, and the aforementioned woodiness and overall balance continued to dominate through the slightly spicy finish.

In my opinion, the Alec Bradley – SCR is an excellent, medium bodied smoke, which is best defined by its balance and somewhat mellow character.  It is a good cigar for mid-day but still has all the qualities to make it just right for later in the evening and even after-dinner or with a beverage of choice.  George Sosa, National Sales Director, told me that Alec Bradley is an, “up and comer.”  I have to not only agree, but say they are defining their place in the world of premium cigars.

7 comments:

  1. Rich said,
    on October 30th, 2009 at 14:45
    Thanks for the review. The SCR sounds like a nice follow up to the Tempus for a good mid-day cigar as you suggested. I look forward to trying these. I think the torp would be my size of choice.

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  2. Stephen P said,
    on October 30th, 2009 at 18:57
    Nice review. I have a couple ABs that have been kicking around in my humi since July. I may have to bust one out now.

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  3. pyite007 said,
    on April 11th, 2010 at 14:29
    I fired up the SCR Gran Robusto on a perfect day in Atlanta yesterday. Found the the size to be just right for a 90 min outside smoke in the sunshine. Cool even burn, woody, and very smooth tea notes. Held its flavor balance down to the nub. Not the in your face flavor of the Tempus(don’t get me wrong I love the Tempus). I find the SCR and the AB Family Blend to be similar in flavor and stregth. Classy cigars. This is a great gift cigar

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  4. paul1954 said,
    on December 18th, 2010 at 05:00
    this was one omy 2010 fav’s. i don’t care for flavored cigars, but the touch of sweet in the SCR was awesome!

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  5. The Cap'n said,
    on January 16th, 2011 at 21:39
    Paul:
    Glad you enjoyed it, it truly is a pleasant cigar. The SCR is not a “flavored” cigar though, I don’t smoke them either. The sweetness is a trait of the tobacco.

    Smoke Well,
    The Cap’n

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  6. JeffB said,
    on May 14th, 2011 at 22:42
    Great review. Last week, after reading this I finally dug into a robusto that had rested for a couple of years. I have to say the SCR is a treasure of a smoke. Rich, balanced flavors with an almost perfect burn all the way to the nub. Was more of a medium to full experience for my palate. Filled my whole head with sweet spices and leather. Very similar to a Padron 1926. Enjoyed it with some Crown Royal Black, which paired up really well. I’ll be ordering more, very soon.

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  7. Nice review and looks like a great cigar. This cigar has become a little stronger and if I had to describe the flavor maybe earthy. The aroma was of best tobacco with some hints of absinthian chocolate and caramel.

    alec bradley cigars

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