The Alec Bradley Tempus. “Tempus” means “time” in Latin — which is either a philosophical statement about the nature of cigar smoking or just a cool-sounding word someone found in a dictionary. Either way, this blend uses tobacco from a single farm in Honduras and comes wrapped in a Corojo wrapper that’s been aged for six years. Six years. That’s longer than most marriages last.
First Third
The Tempus opens with a bang — black pepper, dark chocolate, and a woody intensity that’s immediately engaging. The Corojo wrapper gives it a spicy quality that’s more assertive than most Honduran blends. The draw is good, the burn is slightly wavy but acceptable, and the smoke production is generous. This is a cigar that wants your attention, and it’s not shy about asking for it.
Second Third
The pepper mellows and the chocolate deepens. A leather note joins the profile, along with an earthy quality that’s distinctive of Honduran tobacco. The balance here is good — the flavors are rich without being heavy, and the spice is present without being aggressive. The burn evens out and the construction holds up well. There’s a caramel sweetness that appears intermittently, like a melody that keeps coming back.
Final Third
The Tempus finishes with intensity. The pepper returns, the leather intensifies, and there’s a coffee note that was hiding in the background. The strength builds to full-bodied, and you feel it in the best way — a warm, satisfying buzz rather than a knockout punch. The finish is long and spicy, with the chocolate and leather lingering.
The Verdict
The Alec Bradley Tempus is a very good cigar that delivers more than its price point would suggest. It’s bold, complex enough to keep you engaged, and well-constructed. The Honduran tobacco gives it a character that’s distinct from the Nicaraguan-heavy field, and the six-year-aged wrapper shows in the smoothness of the smoke. It’s a cigar worth your time. (See what I did there?)
Rating: 4 / 5
