Introduction
It’s that time of year when we are lucky enough to get our hands on the new annual Fine & Rare release by Alec Bradley. A tradition that cigar smokers relish, Fine & Rare cigars are made by only two, trusted master cigar rollers. This task is a real honour, but also a serious responsibility as with only 150 cigars being rolled by the duet a day, each has to be of the highest quality.
The first Fine & Rare cigars were launched in 2011 and was revered for its ability to create such a nuanced blend from 10 different tobaccos. Each year that followed the blend would change but the rules would remain constant, two rollers, 150 cigars a day. If you have ever been lucky enough to try one of these rarities you will already know, Alec Bradley’s Fine & Rare cigars are unparalleled in calibre.
The Fine & Rare 2021 BC-(13)4EV returns to a 10 tobacco blend format for the first time in 11 years, a real treat for customers.
The Blend
As we have mentioned this year’s Fine & Rare is made from 10 different leaves. The exact contents are not disclosed, a closely guarded trade secret, but what we do know we will impart here.
9 filler leaves, sourced from across Nicaragua and Honduras, are utilised for the filler and binder.
The wrapper is an elusive Criollo 98 leaf that is grown in the Trojes region of Honduras. A fantastic oak brown wrapper, the Criollo 98 is unblemished and displays a few mild veins.
Vitola
Boxes of the Fine & Rare 2021 BC-(13)4EV come with 11 cigars. 10 of these are a 7 inch long by 50 ring gauge, what is known as a Churchill. This vitola allows one to smoke for anywhere between 1.5 – 2.5 hours and as a result, really develop its flavour profile over that time.
Customers who buy a full box of 11 are also treated to a special, individually boxed cigar. This mystery 11th cigar is a Belicoso, what is often called either a “tapered” or “torpedo” cigar.
How They Smoke
Customers will be bowled over by the Fine & Rare 2021’s medium bodied smoke and complex nature. From the pre light nosing we get distinct notes of wood, citrus, tea leaves and a slight spice.
When smoking the cigar goes through a few distinct phases, the first being a pleasant mixture of creamy pepper infused with fresh dough and spices.
Phase 2 presents more varied nuances such as demerara sugar, hay, grass, baked goods, leather, cedar and more.
As the cigar winds down and enters phase 3, the flavours homogenise and play out in an enjoyable fashion with recurring notes becoming married. Truly a wonderful cigar.
Seal Of Quality
Owner Alan Rubin was insistent from the beginning that the Fine & Rare ranges would stand above every other cigar in terms of quality and passion. To guarantee that these cigars meet his standards each is adorned with a host of useful information on the band of the cigar. This includes the following:
- Cigar code (BC-(13)4EV)
- The date the cigar was rolled
- The date of the cigars release
- How many cigars were produced that week
- The names and signatures of the rollers & supervisor
- The names and signatures of Alan Rubin & Ralph Montero
