Alec Bradley Prensado ......

[bigharpoon]

I had many of the Prensado when they first came out. Those had a deep, rich tobacco flavor so I can see where he compared them to a Padron. I don't think they are nearly as good, though, but I can see his logic. It's one of AB better cigars.

Any cigar compared to a Padron is going to be at a fraction of the price, lol. For what they are Padron is in a class by itself.

[Laynard]

Nothing unique to add to the conversation: In my experience, a lot of ABs have burn issues, but tend to be OK in flavor.

[ogus]

I told you a while back medium and creamy cigar.

[leftimatic]

When they first won the best cigar award, I must say I had a few real nice torpedos. But I ordered up some more and they were complete garbage. 3/4 inch burn issues. Went down hill in a matter of 6 months. Found that with the La Flor de Antillas too. Last ones I got were wind tunnels and very harsh. Have two originals to compare and well the new ones don't compare. Now I just avoid that whole best cigar of the year awards thing. As for an Alec Bradley comparing to Padron 1926.... I don't think so.....

[Firebender]

They were not that good.

I gave them all away.. I think

[FLB03TT]

I was a tad harsh on my earlier appraisal of the Pardon 1926 Anniversario, but just a tad. It's a good cigar, but the price is silly. Many CCs at half the price out smoke it.

The last Prensado I've had was probably 4 years ago and my memory of that vintage is very positive. Have no idea how the current issues are smoking and I wouldn't be at all surprised that the blend has gone south. I used to really like the Flor de las Antilles but I am not at all surprised that current examples are not like the early issues. This change in blend/decline in quality in NCs happens with great regularity in my experience. CCs have minor variations in taste box to box and year to year, but not nearly to the extent with recent NCs. Don't know why this is but the Cubans are much more consistent year in and year out.

[FLB03TT]

What's you read on the Prensado, Rob?

[stogieluver]

Highly overrated, as are most of the cigars CA rates highly. If you're trying to confirm something you already know, this will do it.

[earthson]

They were definitely blowing smoke up your bottom when they compared it to the Padron 1926.

Alec Bradleys as a whole are crap - they've featured some of the biggest stems rolled into cigars that I've ever seen. And it's all Nicaraguan power with little to no balance. For Nicaraguans, I rarely stray outside of an Illusione or Oliva Serie O.

Should be a nice change of pace for you!

[Newkarian]

I have smoked a few that were great cigars. A little one note but great full bodied rich flavors. Then i came into a box that were soggy dog crap. Turned me off to them havent been able to go back. I have splurged on a padron 80th 1926 and it was a great cigar, most perfect construction ive seen. A treat for when i stray from cc.

[topdiesel]

They were definitely blowing smoke up your bottom when they compared it to the Padron 1926.

Alec Bradleys as a whole are crap - they've featured some of the biggest stems rolled into cigars that I've ever seen. And it's all Nicaraguan power with little to no balance. For Nicaraguans, I rarely stray outside of an Illusione or Oliva Serie O.

Should be a nice change of pace for you!

The Oliva Serie O and V are pretty good. Consistent and I have always enjoyed them.

[Cisco]

I'd be surprised if he even got a chance to smoke it with the current weather in TO. There are no indoor lounges to visit so it's out in the cold to smoke. No exactly best conditions to judge a cigar, especially a larger vitola.

[CdnLimitada]

Don't get your hopes up.

X2

I actually liked one that I was gifted and bought 2 more. They were terrible. This is one my main beef with the NC realm. Consistency in flavor. Of course CC are not always spot on as nothing this mass produced (in combination on the variations in mother nature) are going to be but I mean night and day different.

Hope you get a good one though.

[TiminBC]

I smoked a box with few issues and enjoyed them for their chocolate notes. I did have some uneven burn issues which is not uncommon for them or for me. My buddy had a box with all kinds of tunneling issues. I smoked one of his and had the same issue eliminating my theory that he did not know how to smoke them properly :}

I wrote AB and mentioned my buddies experience and they sent me a free sampler of 10 robustos. My buddy did the same and got 2 cigars. Bugs him to this day :}

I still have the remains of another box and they smoke ok. For the price they are in the states they are a good smoke if you like the profile.

[forgop]

CA ratings/top 25 ratings are directly related to advertising dollars given to CA from the AB's of the cigar world. I have a tendency to believe the high scores given to CC's and the bigger known NC's. As far as the second tier cigar manufacturers like AB, RP, et al, it just shows that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while when they make a good cigar. Not to say they can't make a good cigar from time to time, but top 25 worthy, no way IMO.

[earthson]

I wrote AB and mentioned my buddies experience and they sent me a free sampler of 10 robustos. My buddy did the same and got 2 cigars. Bugs him to this day :}

I bought a box of either Prensado or Tempus several years ago and each and every cigar was laden with the thickest stems I've ever seen in a cigar by far. Not a single one burned well; all need constant relighting and were all piss-poor smoking experiences for sure.

I wrote an email asking whether this was to their standard and they sent me two 5-pack robusto samplers, claiming that they "knew our tobacco has a lot of stems, but that is how it is in Honduras." All of the robustos had the same problem - the rollers were not stripping the stems away before rolling, which led to way ****ed up burns and so many relights that they tasted like charcoal. Half of them were aged for a year or two before smoking, so I know it wasn't environmental.

All in all, I wouldn't buy another AB regardless of price.

[Duxnutz]

AB Family Blend isn't bad.

[kevn]

...

[cigcars]

I got hold of the Prensado upon its debut and I really enjoyed it. Very nice flavor and aroma. I don't think you'll be THAT disappointed, Rob. Held its own as far as I'm concerned.

[TiminBC]

I have quite a few AB prensados and they have burn issues from time to time but I like their flavours.

I am of the opinion good source material can be found outside Cuba but it has become easier for hundreds of brands to start up and with anything rapidly expanding there are duds. I also believe Cuba has 'fixed' it plug problems as it has been a couple of years since I smoked a plugged Cuban that I knew was recent.

The world changes sometimes for the good

[bogglor]

Easily the worst constructed cigar I have ever smoked. Flavor... well... hope you like pepper! Just not a fan at all. The Padron 1926 is leagues better.

For NCs, I think you'd be better off with anything Tatuaje -- try to locate a Cojonu 2009 or 2012 Broadleaf if you can!

[brutusthebuckeye]

Dog rocket....

[ChanceSchmerr]

I bought the AB Tempus Lancero a few years ago to try. Taste was okay but it stained my fingers and teeth with the oil pouring off and tar pouring out of the cigar. Just the grossest experience I've ever had with a cigar.

I steer well clear of AB's now.

[saintsmokealot]

I wasn't impressed.

[mikek]

"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..........

I agree Padrons 64 and 26 are always in my humi! That being said I dont pay retail, I go on an auction site and buy fivers and sometimes A box, the Padron no.9 has to be my favorite.AB Presendo is quit A bit different than when thay first came out! When they first came out the Churchill was the BOMB not so now! But I guess that's what makes A horse race, if everybody liked the same one you wouldn't get any action!