Alec Bradley Tempus Terra Novo review

[Royale Duke]

Still no batteries for the camera, so still no pics. I will say that I am a little biased against Alec Bradley cigars as I love their Vice Press line as well as their normal line. So with that out of the way ON WITH THE REVIEW!

Brand:Alec Bradley
Label: Tempus
Size: Terra Novo, 5X50 robusto
Wrapper: Trojes,Honduras Criollo 98 seed tobacco leaf
Filler: Trojes, Honduras Crillo 98 and Nicaraguan tobaccos
Binder:Trojes, Honduras Crillo 98 seed tobacco, Indonesian Embetunada

I got the above filler,binder, and wrapper info off the of the main Alec Bradley site.

Location: My Room, in a comfy computer chair
Drink: A Dazbog Caramel Machiato like thing.
Time of Day: Evening, Last night to be exact.
Smoke Time: 3 hours.

Pre-light:

The first thing I noticed about the cigar(aside from the elaborate cigar bands on this thing) was how dark and oily and smooth this thing is. This 5X50 robusto's wrapper is also pretty damn thick, in fact the cigar overall is EXTREMELY well packed with tobacco without any construction abnormalities to speak of. The cigar is extremely firm to the pinch almost worryingly so, but I've never had an Alec Bradley then didn't feel extremely firm(not hard, just REALLY REALLY FIRM). This thing sure is a thing of beauty though, I must of stared at its dark and oily deliciousness for about two minutes before finally cutting the cap with my trusty double bladed cutter.

The cap cut pretty nicely, very clean and didn't create any imperfections or structural issues. I put the cigar to my lips to take a few puffs before I lit it, I got a very dry taste of a sort of salty flavor that aromatically came out as Dragon's Blood incense(love that stuff) mixed with traditional coffee and pepper notes. The draw was just right, not too firm but not to tight either.

1st Third:

HOLY FREAKING CRAP! PEPPER NUKE!

Man! Upon lighting this thing I was hit with a nuclear payload sized dose of pepper, spiciness, and wood! This didn't really calm down until the second third where everything just kind of mellowed out with a bit of leather in the background. Even though a nuke just hit my palate I still enjoyed this part of the cigar quite a bit! In fact, I absolutely loved this part as it was just a very awesome intro to what was a fantastic cigar.

The smoke was very thick and creamy, and there was a TON of it. The burn was a bit uneven by the end of the 1st third.

2nd Third:

The transition was another pepper nuke that quickly lapsed into smoothness and mellowness. In fact overall, the 2nd third was mostly wood and a bit pepper mingling in the background with a bit of bitter chocolate. Very smooth and delicious was the second third, towards the end of the second third and into the transtion there was a sort of cherry-like finish that was hard to taste if you didn't pay attention.

The burnline was still a bit uneven, but still acceptable.

Final Third:

The burn went a bit crazy and I had to touch this motha' up for the first time.

The Flavors here were getting interesting, I tasted something that reminded me of the smell of dragon's blood insense alongside a bit of leather, pepper, lot's of wood, and a tea-like flavor on the finish as I nubbed the cigar.

Conclusion:

Holy.Freaking.Crap. I love this cigar, almost as much as an Oliva V Dbl Toro! Pretty awesome, lot's of interesting flavors that are really standout compared to some other cigars where the flavors just kind of hint at you what they might be. The burnline wasn't perfect but hey, everything else was! Flavor, construction, and draw are perfect to me.

I'd give the Alec Bradley Tempus Robusto a 94/100, yes it really is that good... aaaaand now I've got to buy a box.

[dj1340]

Nice review, that is sort of how I look at a tempus. Certainly one of the ones I always keep in the Humi.

[Royale Duke]

Boy, I wish I had another Tempus to smoke! I just put down an RP Vintage 1990 churchill a little over half way through because it was plugged and tasted horrible. Now I'm trying to keep myself away from one of my Oliva V's because that particular RP was such a terrible smoke.

[dj1340]

I tend to like the '92 better, thats just me of course. Nothing like smoking a 'V to get things right!

[Royale Duke]

Originally Posted by dj1340

I tend to like the '92 better, thats just me of course. Nothing like smoking a 'V to get things right!

GAH! Don't tempt me! Must...Conserve...Cigars.

Then again they won't last that long anyway....hmmmmm......

[holmes711]

Great review, as always. Thanks!

[fiddlegrin]

Thanks for the review David

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!

[P_Roberts]

Thank you, great review. I really want to try an Alex Bradley but this one sounds too strong for me.

[Royale Duke]

No problem guys, I enjoy doing reviews! Satisfies my journalism streak.

[Chico57]

David, I enjoy reading your reviews.
I admit that I have never smoked this cigar, but a robusto size cigar lasting three hours?
How do you do it?

[Royale Duke]

Originally Posted by Chico57

David, I enjoy reading your reviews.
I admit that I have never smoked this cigar, but a robusto size cigar lasting three hours?
How do you do it?

I have no idea, this is the only robusto I've ever had that has lasted past the 2 hour mark. I started smoking at 7:00pm and then finished at 9:00pm, I made sure to note the times in my hand written notes as I've been wanting to keep track of how long it would take me to smoke a cigar.

I can't believe it lasted that long, I was puffing on it pretty enthusiastically and yet it STILL lasted that long.

As I mentioned in my review, this particular vitola is extremely well packed. In fact, I think it is one of the most tobacco packed cigars I've ever smoked and I often wonder how the hell they pack it so well without it getting plugged or having a terrible draw.

[Chico57]

Originally Posted by Royale Duke

I have no idea, this is the only robusto I've ever had that has lasted past the 2 hour mark. I started smoking at 7:00pm and then finished at 9:00pm, I made sure to note the times in my hand written notes as I've been wanting to keep track of how long it would take me to smoke a cigar.

I can't believe it lasted that long, I was puffing on it pretty enthusiastically and yet it STILL lasted that long.

As I mentioned in my review, this particular vitola is extremely well packed. In fact, I think it is one of the most tobacco packed cigars I've ever smoked and I often wonder how the hell they pack it so well without it getting plugged or having a terrible draw.

David,
Not trying to be a ball buster but, 7:00pm to 9:00pm is only 2 hours.

[Rubix^3]

Great review! You should win a n award for using the term "dragonblood" in a review. Between this and the SanCristobal you've really been hittin the pepper lately. Keep em coming.

[smokin nightly]

Originally Posted by Chico57

David,
Not trying to be a ball buster but, 7:00pm to 9:00pm is only 2 hours.

I was going to say the same...But thanks for the great review...add another to my list of must smoke...