Vitola: Robusto- 5” x 52 ring gauge
- MSRP $8.95
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
In the summer of 2018, word started getting around about the newest release from Alec Bradley, something called a “Magic Toast.” Admittedly, my initial reactions were less than enthused. I long ago had tired of AB’s blends, at least for the most part; there were some exceptions, but mostly they just didn’t do much for me. Couple that with a name that was bad on a level with “Metallica” or “Guns N Roses” (think about it, both of those band names are non-sensical and stupid…and out of context of how great the bands actually are, you’d likely dismiss the band without ever hearing their music), and I was completely snobbish about this cigar.
I like being surprised and I love it when a company whose blends I really don’t get excited about do something unexpected. Turns out that’s what happened with Magic Toast for me. As for the name, Alan Rubin said:
Magic Toast got its name on a night forever etched in my memory. That’s the night, I saw for myself, by flashlight, a crop that was beyond belief. Tobaccos I knew we would find a special project for. Under the stars, we cracked open a bottle of very special whisky and proposed a toast to our future.
So in context, the name makes a little better sense, as well. Although that still doesn’t explain the moth on the box…totally getting a Silence of the Lambs vibe there. Anyway, Magic Toast has Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers, dual binders from Honduras and Nicaragua, and a wrapper from Honduras.
You can buy these almost everywhere…I haven’t seen many shops lately that don’t carry at least some Alec Bradley products. I bought mine at Burns Tobacconist. I’ve smoked this blend about 4 or 5 times prior to this review sample.
Prelight
The band is an interesting art-deco-y design with stars and other symbols and colors that evoke the night. I like it, but the box lid with the moth…”It puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again!” It does provoke conversation, though.
The wrapper leaf was as dark as night, a dark, dark chocolate brown color with visible oils and a little veininess showing up. I got notes of leather, anise, and wood from the wrapper leaf, while the foot had earth and coffee bean and semi-sweet chocolate aromas.
Once clipped, the Magic Toast has a good cold draw that had a complex mix of earth, coffee bean, berry sweetness, anise, and dark chocolate, while leaving a spicy, peppery tingle on the lips.
Flavor
Initial lighting of the Magic Toast caused flavors of earth and wood and leather to emerge, with a bit of sweetness coming in behind and some red pepper flake on the finish. As I burned through the first third, I got charred wood and rich leathery notes, backed up by espresso bean and semi-sweet chocolate and pepper. The retrohale was peppery and leather.
While the Magic Toast started off medium-to-full, in the second third it went straight to full-bodied while serving up more leather and coffee notes, backed up by earth and dark chocolate. Pepper subsided a bit.
The final third was dominated by the leather notes that had been there the entire way, with coffee and dark chocolate playing second fiddle. There were some anise flavors coming through from time to time.
Construction
I had a very good draw and an even burn line. The ash was a little flaky, but not too bad.
Value
One of the best Alec Bradley blends I’ve ever had and it still retails for less than $10? Great value.
Conclusions
Magic Toast is truly a winner from Alec Bradley—their best cigar since the Post Embargo, in my opinion. It was full-bodied and rich with plenty of complexity and balance between savory and sweet flavors. If you already like AB stuff, I won’t be telling you anything you don’t already know; if, like me, you had pretty much written them off, this is a good time to pay attention again.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
