Alec Bradley Mundial

Info: The Alec Bradley Mundial is one of the few new releases that they featured at this year’s IPCPR. While it is barely starting to trickle into shops, this release is limited to only 3,000 total boxes this year with five sizes ranging from 4 ¼ x 52 to 7 x 52. All of which feature a pointed foot  much like an open figurado but with a standard round cap. This blend has been worked on for several years now before Alan Rubin finally put the finishing touches on it this year. The cigar’s limited release is due to production limitations at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras which will feature a Honduran wrapper, a dual Nicaraguan/Honduran wrapper, and Honduran and Nicaraguan filler. These will range from $9.95 to $15.95 a stick.

Prelight: As stated, the Mundial has a unique shape to it. The cap starts with a standard double cap you find on most cigars on shelves today, but finishes off with a very pointed, open foot. The wrapper is very, very dark brown and incredibly consistent in color. There is a small amount of tooth and a whole crap load of oils covering this bad boy. This cigar has probably the nicest band I have seen from Alec Bradley. Huge teal/white/blue/gold crests along with a secondary, elegant Mundial band. Love it.

Burn/Draw: The Mundial started burning out strangely well. Usually these tapered feet lead to upfront burn issues but I didn’t run into any in this case. The burn on this cigar was slow. In fact, it was probably the slowest burning cigar I have ever had. I smoked the robusto size and it took me almost 2 hours to smoke it down. The burnline was real thick, but burned consistent all the way though leaving behind a thick, dark grey ash. The draw was a bit tight until I got though the taper. Once I did the draw really opened up and the Mundial started kicking out mouthful after mouthful of thick smoke.

Taste: Right off the back there was some real strong dark chocolate and espresso notes, some sweetness, and real soft pepper. As I got to the halfway mark a ton of cedar started to creep in with a bit of spice which replaced the pepper while the chocolate and espresso really took off. The finish was much like the second third only there was a lot more sweetness and a good amount of strength. I was actually surprised that this cigar had the power it did. It wasn’t a powerhouse, but it packs a punch.

Thoughts: The Mundial is a great cigar. It has a whole ton of very bold flavors and a good amount of strength. It’s not overly complex, but I enjoyed what it had to offer. That being said, the cost is a bit high. I could see myself picking up a few of these as it offers a great experience, but I won’t go breaking my bank to keep them in my humidor.

Raices Cubanas 1941

Info: Alec Bradley has always had a great relationship with the infamous Raices Cubanas factory. The two have teamed up this year to bring us the Raices Cubanas 1941. The cigar will be made at the Raices Cubanas factory and will be distributed by Alec Bradley. It is said that the cigar’s blend will be based off of some of the greatest hits the factory has ever created. The Raices Cubanas 1941 starts with a Honduran wrapper, Nicaraguan Binder, and finishes with a mixture of Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. The cigar will be released in four standard sizes (Robusto, Toro, Churchill, and Gordo) and will come packaged in boxes of 20. Like the Mundial, these should start hitting shops very soon. This will be a regular production cigar and the size I am smoking (Toro) clocks in at about $9.50 – $10 a stick.

Prelight: the Raices Cubanas 1941 starts with a gorgeous medium brown wrapper. I love Honduran wrapper leaf cause it really showcases the webbing, darker colors, and the natural characteristics of the tobacco. The texture is remarkably smooth with some slight oils as it’s finished off with a big, round, double cap. The band is a semi-modern style almost resembling something you might find in the “old west”. It’s red, white, black, and gold with a large “Raices Cubanas” crest and the number “1941” on the front. The band features “Baez, Cuba” on one side of the back and “Danli, Honduras” on the other. Baez is where Romay Endernano who runs Raices Cubanas was born, Danli is where the Raices Cubanas factory is located. The year 1941 represents the year Romay was born.

Burn/Draw: The burnline is dead even and razor sharp on this 1941. In fact, it stayed perfect the entire experience which lasted just over an hour. The draw is spot-on. Each puff kicks out a nice amount of smoke. The ash left behind was bright white and extremely compacted. So compact that it held on for almost 2 inches before giving way.

Taste: The Raices Cubanas 1941 starts out with a lot of natural tobacco flavors, some soft pepper and spice along with a bit of honey and citrus. All natural/earthy flavors. As I smoke on a really musky, almost cologne flavor started to creep in. Not sure what’s causing it, but it’s fantastic. Into the final third the cedar and muskiness really ramped up while the citrus and honey began to fade out. There was some real interesting pepper in the final inch as well.

Thoughts: If there was a competition between the two, for my preference, the Racies Cubanas 1941 is the clear winner. Again, it matches up to my flavor profile perfectly with lots of cedar, citrus, spice, with a natural/earthy composition. The construction was flawless, and it was a bit more complex. The price may be a bit steep as well, but you gotta expect that from the Raices Cubanas factory. While I may not be searching out a box of these either I think that if I had to choose between the two I’d rather keep of few of these guys around.