Cigar:            Alec Bradley Trilogy Exotic Maduro

Size:             52 x 6.25 Parejo torpedo

                  (straight sided,pointed head,triangular X-section)

Country:          ?

Wrapper:          Brazil Arapiraca, M

Binder:           Indonesia

Filler:           Columbia/Nicaragua

Flavor Strength:Medium-Full

NicotineStength:Medium-Full

Date Received:    2005-10-10

Suspected Age:    2 years (January 2004)

Vendor/Price:     Gifted by Mickey, ASC.  Thanks Mickey!

Beverage(s):      Water, Bridgeport IPA

Smoke time:       2:00  (it's a biggie)

Date:             2005-10-15

Posted to ASC:    2005-10-15

Overall score:    4.5/5.0

Overall:    This is a damn fine cigar.  Very attractive appearance with a wonderfully sweet chocolately mocha prelight aroma.  Cocoa and leather throughout, though in the latter half it is leather and cocoa.  Rather dry, mildly sweet aftertaste.  The nub becomes aromatic with a hint of vanilla.  Copious smoke volume.  Even burn.  Long mildly sweet finish.  Evident nicotine buzz.

Ambience:   In the sunroom after dark answering social email.  Little woman is on a sewing retreat.

Appearance: A quite attractive cigar with a nice band.  Large in girth with a gentle triangular cross-section and a pointed head.  Wrapper is not too dark, with small veins, some sheen, and some tooth.  Very firm particularly at the head.

Cut & Prelight:   Wonderfully sweet chocolately mocha aroma.  Cut cleanly as most torpedos do, and clearly packed tightly.  Somewhat constricted draw - perfect.  Draw flavor quite different from the aroma.  Leather with a funky edge - oiled leather - heavy differential oil - 80W I think :-)  It feels best in the mouth with one of the "points" down.  I am greatly intriqued. 

First third:      Immediately rather peppery.  Leather, lots of dry cocoa.  Much cacao comes from Brazil so perhaps I should not be surprized.  Some sweetness in aftertaste.  Copious smoke volume.  Upon exhalation there is a rush of cocoa that fades into a slight sweetness.  Leather is in the background.  No more pepper.  Ashed at 3/4". 

Second third:     A bit more leather. 

Third third:      This is a damn fine cigar.  The leather has over taken the cocoa, though there is still a strong cocoa note.  The ash is a bit flakey and loose.  Approaching the nub the burn got a bit ragged, but the smoke volume was still exceptional.  Aftertaste has dried somewhat, and the nub is getting aromatic.  Vanilla in the nub.  Abandoned at an inch when the smoke got too hot.