Assessment Updates will be posted on this web-site to: 1) Assess “pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system; 3) Provide a re-assessment and re-score of previously assessed/score cigars. Today, we provide a rating and numerical score to the Alec Bradley Black Market.  This was a cigar we did a pre-release review for back in September, 2011.

Alec Bradley Black Market (Robusto)

The Alec Bradley Black Market is a multi-national maduro blend that made its debut at the 2011 IPCPR Trade Show.  Since it’s launch, this cigar has become a very popular core.  In this assessment update we take another look at this cigar, this time in a robusto vitola.  Overall, age has been very good to this cigar as I feel this cigar has been taken to another level.

The Black Market contains a Nicaraguan Jalapa Maduro wrapper.  It has a unique blend as it features a Sumatra binder and filler tobaccos from both Panama and Honduras.  It was launched in five sizes: Robusto (5 1/4 x 52); Toro (6 x 50); Torpedo (6 1/8 x 54); Churchill (7 x 50); Gordo (6 x 60).  The cigar is made at the Tabacos De Oriente factory in Danli, Honduras.

The Black Market continues to have a stellar pre-light draw of roasted coffee, chocolate, and cedar.  The overall flavor profile has really meshed well here.   It had a combination of roasted coffee, chocolate, chicory, cedar spice, pepper, citrus, and nut.  The emergence of the pepper, citrus, and nut notes were not something I detected back on the original pre-review.  This helped make this a better developed and more complex flavor profile.   The flavors remain medium-bodied and the strength is also in the medium range.  The robusto size seemed ideal for this blend.

The burn and draw were also much better than the original pre-release cigar smoked as both scored “excellent” here.

Click here for our original assessment of the Alec Market Black Market (Toro).

Assessment: Nice to Have
Score: 92