Alec Bradley Tempus Quadrum Review
5/6/2014
Cigar: Alec Bradley Tempus Quadrum
Size: Gordo, 5.5”x55 (box-pressed)
MSRP: $9.50
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Honduran Criollo
Origin: Honduras
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Prelight: This box-pressed cigar has a dark, smooth wrapper with a few small veins. There is a noticeable crack in the wrapper about 2” from the foot. The wrapper smells earthy with a minor note of wood. The foot is like dusty cocoa. I use a v-cut on the triple-cap. The cold draw is near-perfect and also tastes of dusty cocoa.
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1/3: This cigar starts off strong with pepper and the sweetness of dried fruit. It’s a quite pleasant pairing. But, like most of the ABs I’ve had recently, the burn is off to a bad start. Real bad. It is pretty windy so I’m moving into the garage. The ash is dark gray and pretty flakey. As the first third progresses, I get less pepper and more earthy qualities. The dried fruit is still there.
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2/3: The draw is tightening and the burn is still uneven. The pepper hasn’t completely disappeared, but earth is the dominant flavor now. There also seems to be a slight vegetal taste once in a while. By the end of the second third, the burn evens out (maybe due to the shelter of the garage) and chocolate is evident in the taste of the Tempus.
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3/3: The final third begins as the earthiness is replaced with more of a leather flavor mixed with chocolate. The draw continues to get harder and the burn seems to be suffering; although straight, I have to take multiple puffs with more frequency to keep it lit. As I continue towards the nub, a faint grassiness grows and overwhelms all other flavors. As I put down the Alec Bradley Tempus Quadrum, I get a definite nic kick.
Overall: An OK cigar, but nothing to write Mom about. Good flavors, but again I was fighting the burn. The stiffening draw irked me a bit as well. I feel that this cigar needed more rest, as I’ve only had it in the humi for about 5 weeks. If I were to smoke this one again, I would wait six months or so.
