IPCPR 2017: Alec Bradley

The Alec Bradley booth was impressive; if not just for the size and layout, but certainly the fact that there were still plenty of retailers meeting with reps during the final 45 minutes of the show. There are plenty of ways to design a booth, but I think I particularly enjoy the ones with the product on the outside and tables in the middle.

Alec Bradley also had one of the more interesting approaches to specifying their wide release of product that was shipped prior to last year’s Aug. 8 deadline, calling it their Global Releases. It very clearly defined their product that was limited release and is now widely available.

Alec Bradley Black Market Estelí
The Black Market brand is back, this time featuring Nicaraguan tobacco from its namesake region. I did find it interesting they didn’t make it a Nicaraguan puro just for the novelty of being a puro, but I guess that speaks to them making the best blend they can, which means including a little tobacco from Honduras.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua, Honduras
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Black Market Estelí Churchill (7 x 50) – $8.75 (Boxes of 22, $192.50)
• Black Market Estelí Gordo (6 x 60) – $9.20 (Boxes of 22, $202.40)
• Black Market Estelí Robusto (5 x 52) – $7.55 (Boxes of 22, $166.10)
• Black Market Estelí Toro (6 x 52) – $8.50 (Boxes of 22, $187)
• Black Market Estelí Torpedo (6 1/2 x 52) – $8.75 (Boxes of 22, $192.5)

Launch Date: Late August

Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art
A follow up to the award winning Prensado blend, the Prensado Lost Art still features tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras, but in a tweaked blend that will certainly intrigue fans of the brand.

• Wrapper: Honduras
• Binder: Nicaragua, Honduras
• Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
• Prensado Lost Art Churchill (7 x 50) – $12.50 (Boxes of 20, $250)
• Prensado Lost Art Double T (6 x 60) – $12.85 (Boxes of 20, $257)
• Prensado Lost Art Gran Toro (6 1/4 x 52) – $10.95 (Boxes of 20, $219)
• Prensado Lost Art Robusto (5 x 52) – $9.90 (Boxes of 20, $198)
• Prensado Lost Art Torpedo (6 1/2 x 52) – $12.50 (Boxes of 20, $250)

Launch Date: Early September 2017

Alec Bradley Fine & Rare BR12-13
Not a new blend, but a rerelease of one of Alec Bradley’s Fine & Rare Series. This time there will be 1,500 boxes released, and yes, if your eyes are good enough you can see the box incorrectly states 2,000 boxes will be released. I was told that will be corrected before they come to market.

• Wrapper: Honduras
• Binder: Honduras
• Filler: Honduras, Nicraragua
• Fine & Rare BR12-13 (6 x 54) – $17.75 (Boxes of 10, $177.50)

Launch Date: September 2017

Update (Oct. 5, 2017) — Alec Bradley ended up producing 2,000 boxes due to demand, according to a company spokesperson.

Alec Bradley Nica Puro Diamond Rough Cut
Also making a return is the Nica Puro Diamond Rough Cut size. While it will be a regular release now, it will be limited yearly production.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Nica Puro Diamond Rough Cut (6 1/4 x 54) – $8.75 (Boxes of 16, $140)

Launch Date: July 2017

Alec Bradley PAL
Lastly, here is a new branded accessory called the PAL for “Punch and Light” – a punch and lighter combo that – as is the norm at the trade show – got stolen out of the display box. So all they had to show was a very nice looking, empty box – as even the reps personal PALs were stolen off their tables.