Alec Bradley Raices Cubanas Churchill (7.0"x49) Box of 20

Common sense would tell you that if you want a purely well-made cigar that’s free from the confines of clever brand marketing and advertising, you should go straight to the source. Well, that’s just what’s happening here with Racias Cubanas, a blend named for the factory from which it came. Distributed by Alec Bradley, this cigar is unique in that it was created by the Endemaño family, veritable masters of blending. No hype, no over-inflated adjectives, just an honest-to-goodness blend that's delivered from the folks who know how it’s done.

Raices Cubanas 1941 starts with a medium-brown Honduran wrapper that’s glistening with oils. A careful blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers lies just beneath, encased in a Nicaraguan binder. The taste is totally smooth and creamy, but is punctuated by little punches of pepper and even has a slight taste of butter toffee. Medium-bodied and gradually increasing in strength as it burns, this top-quality, triple-capped handmade delivers a nice bit of power while remaining delightfully balanced. It’s obvious that the makers of this fine cigar are expert-level blenders.

Box of 20.