Alec Bradley Occidental Reserve

Before Alec Bradley became known for its heavy-hitting Central American smoking profiles, the brand dabbled in the Dominican Republic, teaming with industry legend Henke Kelner (of Davidoff fame) to produce the company's first true premium cigar in the year 2000.

The cigar is known as Alec Bradley Occidental Reserve, drawing its name from Kelner's own Occidental Cigars factory in the Dominican Republic. The idea was simple: craft a premium cigar without any of the bells and whistles that tend to drive a cigar's price up, allowing Alec Bradley to offer a $10 cigar for prices as low as $4!

Simplistic bands were applied and the cigars were packaged in cellophane bundles, bringing extreme value to an everyday smoking experience. Being made under the watchful eye of Kelner, this is not your ordinary "budget cigar." The blend consists of Dominican Olor, Piloto, and San Vicente in the cigar's filler. A Dominican binder secures the long-leaf fillers, and the blend is finalized with a bright Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. This makes for a smooth and enjoyable no-nonsense cigar, showing a mild body and classic favors of barnyard hay, buttered crackers, wild oats, and creamy light-roast coffee.