Just before the 2015 IPCPR Convention and Trade Show, Alec Bradley announced a couple of new lines that would be debuting at the show.

Alec Bradley Tempus NIcaragua

One of those was the Tempus Nicaragua, a Nicaraguan puro that featured a double binder, and three ligero and viso fillers from various regions of the country. It was released in five sizes, all of which we’ve seen in the other two Tempus lines, the Maduro and the Natural.

  • Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Centuria (7 x 49) — $8 (Boxes of 20, $160)
  • Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Imperator (6 1/8 x 52) — $8.50 (Boxes of 20, $180)
  • Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Magnus (6 x 60) — $9.25 (Boxes of 20, $185)
  • Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Medius 6 (6 x 52) — $7.50 (Boxes of 20, $150)
  • Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Terra Novo (5 x 50) — $7 (Boxes of 20, $140)

Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Medius 6 1

  • Cigar Reviewed: Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Medius 6
  • Country of Origin: Honduras
  • Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos RaÌces Cubanas S. de R.L.
  • Wrapper:  Nicaragua (Jalapa)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua (Condega, Estelí & Jalapa)
  • Size: 6 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 52
  • Vitola: Toro
  • MSRP: $7.50 (Boxes of 20, $150)
  • Date Released: Sept. 1, 2015
  • Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
  • Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

The Medius 6 has a nice looking medium brown wrapper, that is smooth to the touch but hardly any oily feel to it. It’s firm when squeezed, without much give anywhere on the cigar. Coming off the wrapper is the aroma of cinnamon and hay with some earthy undertones, while the cold draw has notes of cocoa powder, grains and some rich but subtle spices.

Starting into the first third there is more of the rich spices from the cold draw, but in much greater supply. There is also a touch of pepper, some earth and a creaminess that ties it all together nicely. The burn starts out quite even, and the ash has a nice tight ring design matching the sharp burn line. With the draw right in the middle of ideal, each puff brings plenty of smoke along with it. The pepper has started to come more to the forefront, but it has also shifted to more of a Anaheim pepper as opposed to a black pepper note. Spice, earth and a creamy finish continues to compliment the pepper note, creating a pleasant profile.

Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Medius 6 2

As I move into the second third, there is a little harshness that has presented itself, though the spice, roasted pepper, earth and cream are still there. The burn line isn’t as sharp as it had been, though it doesn’t need any touching up. As quickly as it arrived, the harshness has disappeared after an inch, leaving the roasted peppers, spice and earth to return, though the creaminess from before has mostly faded.

Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Medius 6 3

As the final third starts, the pepper note shifts again to a mild jalapeño pepper flavor, with the continued spices and earth. The profile hasn’t been overly complex, but the shifts in pepper notes has kept it interesting. Though the burn had gotten wavy in the second third, it has corrected itself in the final third, returning to a mostly even line that keeps making those nice ash lines. As the cigar wraps up, the harshness has reappeared, though only slightly, but just enough to sully the pepper, spice and earth notes.

Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua Medius 6 4

Final Notes

  • Two of the three samples I smoked had spot on burn lines for the most part and fairly solid profiles. The third sample struggled with its burn and the profile did seem to suffer from it, producing more consistent harshness than the previous two.
  • One can assume that the Tempus Nicaragua will get a new size added to the line, the Magistri, a 6 3/4 x 54 size that is seen in the other two Tempus lines. The Natural line does have a seventh size, the Genesis, which is a 5 1/2 x 42 size that isn’t seen in the Maduro line.
  • The Tempus Nicaragua was shown off in their IPCPR 2015 booth, which we covered here.
  • The cigars for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
  • Final smoking time averaged about two hours an ten minutes.
  • Site sponsors Atlantic Cigar Co. and Serious Cigars list the Tempus Nicaragua in stock.
87 Overall Score

Alec Bradley has historically not been a line I gravitate towards very often, and not necessarily because they don’t have some decent cigars, but they just don’t resonate with me like they do with other people. The Tempus Nicaragua was something I was looking forward to trying however and for the most part it was an enjoyable experience. Good flavors, though not overly abundant, were produced throughout the cigar and mostly good construction complimented the Medius 6 nicely. The third sample seemed to be an off sample, but regardless it will still factor into the final score. Despite that, it is still a cigar I think you should go try for yourself, especially if you enjoy Nicaraguan puros.

Avatar photo

Brian Burt

I have been smoking cigars since 2005 and reviewing them as a hobby since 2010. Initially, I started out small with a 50-count humidor and only smoking one or two cigars a month. Not knowing anybody else that smoked cigars, it was only an occasional hobby that I took part in. In March of 2010, I joined Nublive and Cigar Asylum, connecting me with many people who also shared an interest in cigars. Reading what they had to say about brands I had never heard of, I quickly immersed myself in the boutique brands of the industry and it was then that cigars transformed from a hobby into a passion.