Quick Smoke: Alec Bradley Tempus Maduro Imperator
29 Aug 2010
Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,†“hold,†or “sell.â€
Tempus Maduro, introduced earlier this month, features that same core blend as the regular Tempus line but with a unique San Andres maduro wrapper. The wrapper fermentation process includes the use of a bethune made from tree pulp that’s applied to the leaf during the fermentation process, resulting in a leaf that achieves a dark maduro color. The shorter fermentation time allows the wrapper leaf to maintain some of the strength that would normally be lost in the time required to ferment a maduro leaf. The Imperator, a torpedo (6.1 x 52), is well-constructed with no soft spots and a good draw. The cigar starts out with in an intriguing sweetness and subtle spice. The core flavors of smoked oak, mocha, and subtle cracked black pepper create an interesting and pleasant smoking experience. This cigar is much more enjoyable for me than my previous experiences with the regular Tempus line. Even at$9.40 apiece, I can definitely recommend it.
Verdict = Buy.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Thanks for the review; sounds like a tasty cigar, Patrick. "bethune" is a new word for me. Googled for a definition and didn't get one. Guess it's time for a trip to the library.
Try searching for "Royal Jamaica" and bethune. That's another cigar that uses it. Can't say it really did anything to noticably flavor the cigar (being what it is), but that's what I remember from a while ago from smoking a RJ Gold… might be time to try another. Royal Jamaicas seem to use it sprayed on after fermentation is done though. Hope that helps.
Bethune can also be spelled betune. Try that with the word cigar in your google search.
Brian & Patrick,
Searching with "cigar betune" brought explanations of a sweet fermented concoction to brush on or tobacco to soak in. Most references were somewhat negative: applying a polish to give a false impression of a well-fermented maduro. Positive remarks were made about the Alec Bradley cigars suggesting that soaking tobacco in their betune enhances flavor.
Most interesting to me was being led to re-read comments by John Vogel about Cuban cigar-makers being irresponsible by making cigars w/ tobacco that has not been fermented and smokers mistaking the effects of smoking tobacco that is not ready as those of some "special" strong Cuban tobacco. Effects also made by bethunes that applied too heavily.
Others note bethunes are often made from roots that contain a lot of nicotine and/or irritants to the mouth & throat.
Some of the cheap, tasty maduros that I smoke irritate my mouth. Beware of cheap cigars w/ very oily dark wrappers. I decided to stop buying one particular brand.
They will be out for purchase in Kick Ass Retailers throughout the country in 30-40 days!
Thanks for the review!
Oh, yeah. These are tasty cigars. I don't know about what's controversial, but the bethune thing seems to work out pretty well!
Nice review. The Alec Bradley Tempus Maduro cigar has a strong finish that is absolutely blind-siding. Thanks for this.