Video review HERE.
(Description taken from Cigar-coop.com website)
Back in 2018, Alec and Bradley Rubin, the sons of Alec Bradley founder Alan Rubin launched their own label as a part of the Alec Bradley portfolio appropriately titled Alec & Bradley. When the Rubin brothers informed Alan they wanted to take the next step in developing a brand, Alan agreed to do it. There was one caveat – the Rubin brothers were going to have to do this as a business venture. This meant, they would have to do everything on their own – from the blend, to the packaging, to funding the project as a subsidiary under Alec Bradley. The first Alec & Bradley cigar, Blind Faith would hit the stores in 2018 – and became a hit for the new second-generation cigar makers. Fast forward to 2019, and Alec & Bradley would launch its second cigar, the Gatekeeper. Today we take a closer look at the Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper in the Corona size.
For Blind Faith, Alec & Bradley worked in the familiar confines of the Raices Cubana factory, Alec Bradley’s long-time factory partner. With Gatekeeper, the Rubin brothers went in a completely different direction. They set their sights on the Dominican Republic and turned to family friend Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. Making a cigar in the Dominican Republic was not something new for Alec Bradley as the Occidental Reserve is the one best known to come out of the country. At the same time, this was still something very different than we have seen from Alec Bradley.
As for the name, Gatekeeper, Alec Rubin explained this when the cigar was announced, “Ernesto is a gatekeeper to new opportunities and experiences for us – thus the name Gatekeeper.”
Blend and Origin:
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Vitolas Offered
Corona: 5 1/8 X 42
Robusto: 5 X 50 REVIEWED TODAY
Toro: 6 X 52
Gordo: 6 X 60
The cigar band is embossed with gold above and below the Roman looking man and it's quite bright. The cigar has an average feel in the hand for a robusto.
The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were sweet apricot, brown sugar, touch of cinnamon, light leather, nutmeg, and a somewhat toffee flavor. At this early stage there isn't much of a black coffee base. The light leather and nutmeg make up the base. There was nice black pepper rated at 7 1/2. A nice, sweet start.
At the first third (27 minutes) the apricot notes are somewhat like a liqueur. It's very sweet and has fermented qualities. There is still plenty of brown sugar and the cinnamon has increased. There is still nutmeg but it's not intrusive. The light leather is just that; light. Now there is a nice black coffee base. I no longer have the light toffee-like flavor. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is apricot, leather, and nutmeg with a nice amount of lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 93.
Moving through the second third (54 minutes) the cigar is staying on pace. The sweetness of the apricot liqueur flavors are coming out a little more. The black coffee is also coming out more. The nutmeg is very light. There is plenty of brown sugar and cinnamon. The cigar is actually very close to full bodied at this point. The finish is a little heavier on nutmeg with light sweetness of the apricot flavor and the lingering black pepper remains very good. I rated the second third 94.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 12 minutes. By and large the cigar stayed on the same path. But there was an increase in the previously low level of nutmeg. It matched the sweet notes and the black coffee. With the rise it took away a little of the sweetness. The cigar is full bodied. The finish actually has more of the apricot notes and very nice lingering black pepper. I rated the final third 93. This is a good cigar and I love the apricot notes.
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