Meet the Alec Bradley Black Market Churchill - a 7x50 parejo-shaped stogie wrapped in oily Nicaraguan leaf that's been stirring up conversations since 2011. Priced around $234 for 24 sticks, this Honduran-made rebel combines Panamanian/Honduran fillers with Sumatran binder for what smokers call "contraband in cigar form". The dark wrapper isn't just for show - it's your first clue about the earthy adventure inside.
The initial puffs hit with black coffee bitterness tempered by burnt caramel sweetness. Expect pepper to creep up your nostrils around the 1-inch mark - not harsh, but persistent like a noir film voiceover.
Leather and earth take center stage, with cocoa powder emerging through the nicotine haze. Watch for occasional mineral notes that recall Cuban soil profiles - ironic for this decidedly non-Cuban blend.
Charred oak dominates as the nicotine climbs. The last two inches develop an umami quality that pairs surprisingly well with peated whisky. Most users tap out at the band - not from harshness, but cumulative strength.
Handmade in Raíces Cubanas factory, these show slight variation in draw tightness - keep your perfect draw tool handy. The triple cap peels cleanly, but watch for wrapper seams in high humidity. Burn requires occasional corrections, especially in windy conditions.
