2021 CA Report: Top 6 Best-Rated Alec Bradley Cigars Under $10
Famous Customer Picks: 6 Best Alec Bradley Cigars Under 10 Bucks
It’s one thing to get a highly rated Alec Bradley cigar – but to get one for less than $10 a piece? That’s the dream. Below, we’ve got the 6 highest-rated Alec Bradley smokes according to Famous Smoke Shop customers. But first, a little AB 101.
A brief history of Alec Bradley Cigars
The smoke shop aisles are paved with cigar brands that were at the right place at the right time. When founder, Alan Rubin jumped into the scene at the sunset of the cigar boom in ‘96, however, it was too little…too late. At the time, he had a brand called Bogey’s Stogies and as the name suggests, his cigars were geared toward golfers and mostly sold in pro shops. Rubin’s problem was that the market was saturated, and Bogey’s Stogies were starting to seem like a mulligan.
In debt and looking for a solution, Rubin brought in cigar industry pro, Ralph Montero in 2000. The new partners knew they needed to get cigars in customers’ hands. To help, they enlisted Davidoff’s fabled master blender, Henrik Kelner. Alec Bradley’s first release with Kelner at the wheel was the budget-friendly Occidental Reserve.
Alan Rubin was all in. It was that – or nothing.
His bet paid off. A high-quality, affordable cigar was just what smokers were craving and they sold like a free share of Bitcoin.
Occidental Reserve put Alec Bradley Cigars on the map. The rest is history. Since then, they’ve gone on to release a flurry of award-winning cigars – including 2011’s Cigar of the Year, Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill.
How do we choose our Alec Bradley picks?
Well…we don’t pick ‘em. We get our best-rated Alec Bradley cigar selections from the most qualified experts around: everyday smokers like you. That’s right…no stuffy suits. No ad revenue incentives, no favoritism in exchange for free smokes, no angle of any kind. Just honest reviews from the people who spent their hard-earned money.
As with past entries in our Top-Rated Series, there are qualifications for each Alec Bradley cigar.*
Check out some of our previous Top-Rated cigar articles (also based on customer reviews)!
Best Cigars by Size | Best Dominican Cigars Under $10 | Best Nicaraguan Cigars Under $10
Be sure to rate your experience with Alec Bradley on Famous Smoke Shop or leave us a comment below!
Alec Bradley Sun Grown Robusto – 4.5 Stars across 29 Reviews
Fred in Ohio says: “ This cigar is a champion of the under $5 category .”
All the review mags will tell you that Prensado is Rubin’s most popular cigar – but to Famous Smoke Shop customers, another reigns supreme. In fact, their top-rated AB is the house brand exclusive cigar, Alec Bradley Sun Grown. The recipe calls for a diverse assortment of tobaccos – long filler leaves from Nicaragua and Colombia, a Honduran binder, and a sultry Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper. They give the blend medium-bodied flavors of wood, coffee bean, and cocoa. For its price tag Alec Bradley Sun Grown really shines, and I think that’s why it resonates with so many smokers.
Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill – 4.5 Stars across 20 Reviews
Andrew in PA says:
“I always reach for this cigar first.” Don’t get me wrong, Prensado is still in high regard. It sits comfortably with the silver medal on our list. And it’s arguably one of Alec Bradley’s most potent cigars. No surprise here. All those Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos pack a wallop. But above being a strong smoke, Prensado is also smooth…thanks in part to a box-pressed format. Among the bragging rights of its flavors: dark roast coffee, pepper, citrus, and a trace of caramel. Whether it’s number one cigar worthy – we’ll leave to your palate, but it’s certainly a cigar worth experiencing.
Occidental Reserve Connecticut Robusto – 5.0 Stars across 13 Reviews
John in AZ says: “Great [mellow] cigar for the golf course or sharing with newbies. Always consistent.”
Remember those Occidental Reserve cigars we talked about earlier? They might be in the cheap seats, but they’re incredibly high on the list for customer satisfaction. Fact is, it’s the only Alec Bradley blend that earned a solid five-star rating – a rating that’s more than deserved. The Occidental Connecticut blend has been a mellow cigar you can set your watch to since its release for over 20 years. We love its notes of sweet cream, cedar, vanilla, and nuts, plus the easy-going draw. And we think you will, too. Extra points: at their price, you won’t go broke giving a few away to the cigar snatchers you call friends!
Alec Bradley Black Market Robusto – 4.5 Stars across 15 Reviews
Ken in FL says:
“This puppy will burn for a couple hours, but it’s time well-spent.” Not only is Black Market a fantastic Alec Bradley – but it’s on my list as one of the best cigars under $10 period. The savory flavors, the dense smoke, the flawless construction – the blend burns with uncommon consistency and always exhibits that boutique cigar allure. If that’s not enough – let’s talk flavor. Flavor that comes from a blend of a Nicaraguan Jalapa wrappers, Sumatran binders, and choice long fillers from Honduras and Panama. We’re talking dark chocolate, pepper, baking spices, and a balancing sweetness on the finish. Black Market was a great name choice – because a cigar this good probably should be illegal.
Alec Bradley American Classic Robusto – 4.5 Stars across 14 Reviews
Jeff in MD says:
“Burns perfectly. Very tasty all the way to the nub!” With more spice and a darker hue than the Occidental Connecticut, Alec Bradley American Classic gets a distinct menu of flavors from a Connecticut-seed wrapper grown in the tropical Honduran sun. This gives the leaf more sugar, oil, and sweetness for your taste buds to enjoy. The blend is a solid medium body with flavors that range from cedar and nuts to wood and graham cracker, with a unique layer of spice. I love to enjoy one before bed, because it’s satisfying without leaving you feeling the raciness that some strong blends can.
Alec Bradley Connecticut Robusto – 4.5 stars across 13 Reviews
Deric in AL says:
“Don’t pass this one up.” The older I get, the less likely I am to gravitate toward a powerful cigar. And when it comes to mellow vs. full-bodied cigars, Alec Bradley Connecticut is the best of both worlds. The combination of big flavors and light punch are a welcomed sight when I crack open my humidor on a Friday night. And I can depend on its flavors of wood, vanilla bean, toast, and peanuts. So…if you’re looking for something that’s Connecticut without being too…Connecticut, Alec Bradley Connecticut has your number (try saying that three times fast).