Alec Bradley MAXX Brazil Review
5/2/2014
Cigar: Alec Bradley MAXX Brazil
Size: Toro, 6.0"x54
MSRP: $7.27
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Brazilian Habano
Origin: Honduras
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Prelight: A dark, oily wrapper sheaths this cigar. There are a couple thick, ugly veins on the back side that I hope don’t affect the burn too badly. The cap also looks rather sloppily put on. The wrapper has an extremely floral aroma and is a tad pungent. The foot smells of earth and wood. The cold draw has a good pull and tastes like a combination of the scents: floral, woody and earthy.
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1/3: The MAXX starts off with an interesting mix of pepper and cream. I know this word gets thrown around a lot – especially with retailers like CI – and I can’t believe I’m saying it, but there is something “cubanesque” about the first third of the cigar. To complement the flavors, the ash is grey and flakey. The burn gets a bit unruly at times, but corrects itself. Towards the end of the first third the flavors become very earthy with just a bit of coffee in the background.
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2/3: Cedar comes into play in the second third, which is dominated with wood and cream. The burn, again, gets wonky, but tolerable. I am really enjoying this cigar. A sweet leather is introduced as I begin the final third.
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3/3: Cedar and leather. And more cedar. This cigar ends displaying the flavors of its Nicaraguan longfillers, mixed with Honduran tobacco as well. One of the aforementioned veins refuses to burn, but it is not enough to require a touch up; I just keep on puffing. The cigar ends as Pinocchio began: all wood.
Overall: Great cigar! Seriously box-worthy. I am pleasantly surprised, as I had heard bad things about this cigar. The burn, although rambunctious, was tolerable. The flavors were great and multi-faceted. It did begin seemingly very close to a Habano profile (I said “close”, not identical), but that was short-lived as the NC longfillers dominated over two thirds of the cigar. The MAXX Brazil is my favorite Alec Bradley blend so far.
