Tasting Note

Alec Bradley, the maker of the No. 1 cigar of 2011 with its classic Alec Bradley Prensado, had a bold plan for a new type of smoke. Brand owner Alan Rubin and his team called upon experienced rollers at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras to use 10 leaves of tobacco in one cigar. It was a difficult task that led to the creation of Alec Bradley Fine & Rare, a limited-edition of medium- to full-bodied cigars made with more tobacco than the typical cigar. The first release had no name, but came in one size only, a 6-inch-long, 52-ring toro. (The follow-up, recently introduced, bears the name 2012, and is a figurado.) Fine & Rare is presented in stunning fashion, with an extra-large band showing details on the production, including worker names. The cigar is quite toasty and savory, with some delicious berry sweetness.