According to the Alec Bradley website, “Project 40 is the search to find a deeper understanding as to why cigars have a positive cognitive impact on the mind and body. Similar to music, cigars have a calming effect that allows us to feel in control as well as feel rewarded. A proper blend, price, and experience has been developed for your enjoyment. Take control of your happiness.” Originally released in 2019, today we review the robusto natural.
Cigar Review: Alec Bradley Project 40
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Brazil (Habano)
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Robusto
The Look: Packaged in 20 count white boxes the cigar features two bands with the primary denoting Project 40 and the secondary band denoting Experimental Series. The paper bag colored wrapper has some oils visible and minimal veins. In the hand the cigar is light although to foot is well packed.
The Notes: The cold draw serves up a subtle sweetness and notes of carrots while the aroma off the foot matches the cold draw although less potent. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there is an enticing sweetness that makes me look past the preflight ritual.
As we smoke into the first third, notes of raisins, almonds and nutmeg create an extremely flavorful profile. The retrohale adds some coffee and earth to the mix with those two components making it to the palate as the first third comes to a close. The finish of the cigar is mouthwatering and medium in terms of length.
Moving on to the second third the sweetness moves to the background before disappearing around the halfway point. The cigar sees notes of coffee become dominant along with earth and black pepper. The finish of the cigar grows in duration while the retrohale sees an occasional sweetness.
The last third continues to see coffee and earth and in the final moments of the Alec Bradley Project 40 the earth becomes dominant. The retrohale sees the return of raisin notes with a touch of almonds and continued pepper.
The Finish: For a budget cigar I was very surprised by how well the Alec Bradley Project 40 performed. This cigar would have scored much higher if the first third transitioned similarly throughout the duration. However, that shouldn’t take away from how good this cigar is. For under $100 a box of Robusto’s this is a great cigar to have for a get together of friends or with a morning cup of coffee.
Score: 91
Price: $5.39 / $94.99
Alec Bradley Project 40
Alec Bradley Project 40 Foot
Alec Bradley Project 40 Burn
