“This cigar is truly a testament to everything good about Nicaraguan tobacco”

#30 – Alec Bradley Nica Puro

Coming in at #30 – and kicking off the 2013 Cigar of the Year Countdown is the Alec Bradley Nica Puro.


The Alec Bradley Nica Puro gives Alec Bradley a spot in the Cigar of the Year countdown for the second consecutive year.  As the name indicates this is the company’s first all Nicaraguan puro.

The cigar was many months in the making.  It was showcased at the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. While the Nica Puro was targeted for a late 2012 release, a decision was made to delay the release into 2013. This was to ensure that the cigar was up to quality standards.

Patience proved to work in this case. This cigar hit the mark as soon as it arrived at retailers in mid April.  In my book, the flavors of earth, pepper, cocoa, natural tobacco, and nut fit the classic mold of what a good Nicaraguan puro should be.  These flavors were well balanced.  The was also a great case study on how to balance strength versus flavor as I assessed both attributes as medium to full.

Click here for our assessment of the Alec Bradley Nica Puro.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Vitolas Available

Churchill: 7 x 50
Torpedo: 6 1/4 x 54
Gordo: 6 1/4 x 60
Toro: 6 x 52
Robusto: 5 x 50
Bajito (a Rothschild size): 4 1/4 x 52

Recommnded Vitola: Toro: 6 x 52

Score: 92 (4/18/13)
Assessment Rating: 3.5 – Box Split


For more information on our vision and criteria for the 2013 Cigar of the Year countdown, see our December 2013 Editor’s Corner.