Alec Bradley Prensado ......

[El Presidente]

I popped into Thomas Hinds Tobacconist yesterday which is not a bad cigar shop in Toronto. It would have pretty close to a 50/50 split between Cuban and non Cuban cigars.

The staff were helpful and I asked them to choose 2 cigars for myself and Rob C that were the best NC's in their opinion.

Their recommendation was the Alec Bradley NC Prensado Robusto noting that it was as good as a Padron 1926 Anniversario at a fraction of the price.

I am going to smoke it this afternoon (if it stops snowing).

What should I expect? Are they close in their description?

I will post my thoughts once I have had the chance to try them.

It is always great to be just another joe blo in a tobacco shop

[bradbrennan]

Joe Blo eh :-) you know when the Alec Bradley prensado Churchill won cigar of the year a couple years ago I thought it was really good not similar to the padron really at all though but then seem to lose their quality I think even the owners said that as well

[Rye]

That's the first I've heard them compared to a Padron 1926.

I've had to pitch a few due to unruly burns and poor construction.

Good luck!

[mk05]

You should tell us what you think before someone inceptions you.

[JoeyGunz]

Definitely one of the best NC's I've smoked

My only note is that is was a very well balanced blend.

[cigardude]

Out of the 3 i have smoked, 2 had burn issues but all were quite good smokes for the price, not nearly as nice as the Padron 1926... IMO

[CigarEnthusiast]

Smoked one. It was nothing special.

[FLB03TT]

Used to smoke the Churchill size and feel it was one of the best NCs I've ever had. Quite complex and takes you on a journey, however brief and uneventful, which I usually don't get with other NCs.

Don't know which Padron 1926 Anniversario they were comparing it to- natural or maduro and which vitola, but IMHO the Prensado could only be compared with the 1926 maduro and I think I'd take the Prensado, regardless of price. Pardon made their name 20 years ago with the 1964 Anniversario Maduro Torpedo, which was a GREAT stick. Had a thin silky feeling wrapper like many CCs which was no small feat for a maduro wrapper. The stick was medium bodied, nuanced and set the bar for all other NCs of the time. Now the wrappers are typical sandpaper thick rough and aggressive. Not even a shadow of the original offering.

Arguably, the 1926 Anniversario is the single most overpriced regular production cigar NC or CC on the market today.

[Fshaw]

My expectation is that you will enjoy the Padron over the Prensado, but I look forward to hearing your opinion...

[cns187]

I agree, it was nothing special. Definitely packed a punch but the flavors were not complex at all.

[cns187]

and welcome to Toronto @El Presidente

[cigarbreak]

That's awesome that you're in Toronto. I actually work very close to Yorkville, hope you enjoy your stay while in Downtown!

[rtrimbath]

I really like the Prensado Robusto. It's one of my favorite NC's. I've never had any burn or construction issues through the two boxes I've smoked. It's definitely not a Padron 1926 though, but pretty good nonetheless.

[topdiesel]

Perhaps the few AB Prensados that I smoked were a fluke, but I thought they were terrible. couldn't even make it through first third. They were purchased after the CA cigar of the year and so quality might have suffered keeping up with demand.

Padron 1926s that I have smoked were far superior to the ABP.

[ramon_cojones]

lol guy has no idea about rob

[gtejada]

Used to smoke the Churchill size and feel it was one of the best NCs I've ever had. Quite complex and takes you on a journey, however brief and uneventful, which I usually don't get with other NCs.

Don't know which Padron 1926 Anniversario they were comparing it to- natural or maduro and which vitola, but IMHO the Prensado could only be compared with the 1926 maduro and I think I'd take the Prensado, regardless of price. Pardon made their name 20 years ago with the 1964 Anniversario Maduro Torpedo, which was a GREAT stick. Had a thin silky feeling wrapper like many CCs which was no small feat for a maduro wrapper. The stick was medium bodied, nuanced and set the bar for all other NCs of the time. Now the wrappers are typical sandpaper thick rough and aggressive. Not even a shadow of the original offering.

Arguably, the 1926 Anniversario is the single most overpriced regular production cigar NC or CC on the market today.

I couldn't agree with you more about the Padron. Completely over priced. I prefer the ABP

[gtejada]

A lot of opinions about the APB and the Padron...That's the beauty of Cigars I guess, everyone has their opinion. I would take a ABP over a Padron any day along with a bunch of other NCs out there . Some of us are carry on like the Padron is the staple of all NC sticks... Far from it! There are a few NC sticks out there much better the Padron 1926. It will be interesting to hear your opinion Prez. My 2 cents.

[Mckucci]

They have a tendency of burning very poorly.. Not a fan personally, however I know lots of people that love them...

I refuse to pay the price of a Padron, so I couldn't tell you if they are comparable. However, I can't see them being very similar...

[alloy]

I smoked a couple of ABP churchill's after they came out and they all tunneled badly. Had some nice flavors like citrus and cedar which I haven't tasted since those first couple.

But I'm a chocolate ***** and like the LFD Cameroon and Rocky Patel Decade Cameroon. Both chocolate bombs.

[alloy]

Also, the Padron 1964 Anniversario is a much better smoke than the ABP. But I happen to like the 1926 80th Anniversario. But at $35 per stick, kind of pricey.

[HarveyBoulevard]

Tobacconist at my local B&M gave me a couple AB's to try with the ABP being one of them. I did enjoy the Prensado but still prefer my CC's. I don't remember it having much in common with a Padron but it was an enjoyable smoke in it's own right.

[garbandz]

"What should I expect? Are they close in their description?"

"As good" is a poor way to describe anything that is so different.

..you should have gotten some Padrons as well,then you would know,and I bet the Padron would win.

Funny that this is the ONLY forum I have seen that there was a single negative word about Padron.

Generally they are recognised as very consistent and unique in flavor.

They seem that way to me after all these years,and the Anniv. sticks are excellent...........consistently.

The original Prensado was excellent,too.They are not the same tobacco now..........

[GodofFire]

Rob, there recommendation was spot on. This is by far one of the best NC cigars on the market. It is rated high for a reason.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Before I lost my job a few months ago this cigar always had a permanent spot in my humidor. .

[ElJefeDeNada]

I had some ABP Gran Toros last year that I picked up at half price when our little smoke shop was closing. They did produce a rich, creamy smoke with some chocolate notes as I recall. I don't have any left, but do have some Padrons still, including some 1926 80th Anniversary maduros, and I'd give the nod to the Prensado in my humble opinion.

[anjimj]

Good flavor but a bad draw and construction