Cigar Review – Alec & Bradley Kintsugi
When Smoked: July 2023
Obtained from: Alec Bradley sampler
Size: Gordo (6 inches x 60)
Approximate cost: US$10.00
See ratings below
First thing, let’s talk about the Alec AND Bradley name, as opposed to the regular Alec Bradley brand cigars. Alan Rubin, who founded the company in 1996, named Alec Bradley Cigar Distributors after his two sons, by no means coincidentally named Alec and Bradley.
You can probably see where this is heading. Fast forward to 2018, Alan Rubin’s two sons were all grown and looking to make their own mark in the cigar world. To differentiate their brand (but not really) they named their cigars “Alec & Bradley.” The two sons developed their own blends, but Alec & Bradley cigars operated under the umbrella of the original Alec Bradley company, they are made in the same factory and sold through the same distribution network.
Do you see the difference between the two brands? I don’t either. In any event the whole shootin’ match got bought by Scandinavian Tobacco Group in early 2023.
Alec & Bradley’s first venture was called “Gatekeeper,” which was a very good first effort that won acclaim from Cigar Aficionado and other publications. They followed up with this cigar, Kintsugi. The name is derived from a Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold lacquer, which the brothers say is symbolic of repairing the fractures in the premium cigar industry (exactly which fractures they do not explain).
Okay, let’s forget that rather lame cigar backstory and talk about the cigar. We’ve got a Habano wrapper grown in Honduras, with the rest of the tobacco from Nicaragua and Honduras. Like many Alec Bradley cigars it is made at the Raices Cubana factory in Honduras.
I’m not a fan of Gordo size cigars (6” x 60) but this smoked nicely for that size, very easy draw, ample smoke production and straight burn. Flavor-wise, it had a pleasant wood and nut-based taste, with nice sweetness as well – milk chocolate and cinnamon. The taste and burn was consistent throughout the smoke.
Overall impression, given that I think they are killing themselves with that name and marketing story, I didn’t want to like this cigar. But I must admit, it won me over. It was a very good smoking experience. I’d rate Kintsugi a solid 9.0/10, a very good cigar. Body is a 4.5/10 so if you’re a medium body fan, this is a cigar for you to try.
