Well tempted by the big rating in CA Insider i went to a local B&M and picked up a Torpedo. I have to say this lives up to the hype. Ironically it tastes like another Insider hyped cigard the RP Decade. The Insider tasting notes are right on in terms of the rich flavor. Overall I think the flavor is richer and more full then the Decade. This is a must try for sure and I will be going back to the B&M tomorrow to get more plus the other 2 sizes they had. This was my first AB of any type and I have to say I am overly impressed.

Funny that you mention the ABT is a lot like the RP Decade. I just smoked my first Decade and thought it had a profile almost exactly like an Oliva Master Blends 3...both very spicey with rich tobacco undertones.

Steve
I too agree with you there. The RP Decade, MB3 Robusto, and Tempus are very similiar overall and all very good. I definately think you will like the Tempus.

CI has the Tempus in stock for ordering...highly recommended.

quote:

Originally posted by mbflash80:
highly recommended.

+1 on that.

I picked up a tempest torpedo after reading this thread. I like the RP line and the decade is a standout. I agree with what you have said. This was a real suprise. It did IMO live up to the hype. Very enjoyable.

just ordered from CI will let you know in a couple of days....

Mack

quote:

Originally posted by mbflash80:
CI has the Tempus in stock for ordering...highly recommended.

Had to try another of these.
They are consistantly GREAT

The AB Tempus is a great cigar. The incredible rating doesn't suprise me a bit.

Picked up a few robustos and churchills this week at CI (Nazareth Pike store) - all were uner $8 each. The robusto was great - full body. Can't wait to try the others.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Patio Smoker,

I smoked the Torpedo size this weekend. I also was piqued by the blind test rating of it. I also have smoked the aforementioned RP Decade, and seem to be one of the few that was not impressed. However, I'll be giving that another shot at a later date.

In a general note: woe to many a highly rated cigar that does not create a "wow" factor. Such high ratings sometimes work against a smoke. I tend to be harsher due to this. To me, anything a 90 or above really needs to be a cut above the fray. It is why I am very hard on some smokes in lieu of ratings. Many times I prefer to see ratings after-the-fact instead. Cuts away the expectation. The only caveat to this, is I have little patience for middling smokers.

Now to the Tempus:

The taste was a muted nut and caramel tone. It was a soft taste, that had a crisp texture that reminded me of an Ashton VSG throughout. I had wished that muted taste to open up a bit. But that's just a personal preference of mine on some smokes.

The cigar was very well-made and burned well. I tend to have a better read on a smoke after the second one.

Personally, I did think it warranted above a 90. But not too far above. 91 perhaps.

I have had 6 of the AB and they have been consistantly great.

I am pleased that these fine cigars are consistently great and consistently available for purchase...I could see these move in as a "must have" in the humidor next to other NCs like VSG...just hope they don't get that "exclusive" label and become more difficult to find.

I bought a five pack and let them sit for a little while. When I finally did smoke one, I was very impressed. The burn, draw and construction was outstanding. I liked it so much I order a box of them. This definitely will be a must have in my humidors like the RP decade, Ashton VSG and Opus X.

I forgot to say that the one I tried and liked so much was the Alec Bradley Tempus Centuria Churchill.

-A friend is one who has the same enemies as you have. Abraham Lincoln

Smoked the Lancero and the Robusto in the past two weeks and they were both good cigars. Not 95 good, but very nice.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrann:
Smoked the Lancero and the Robusto in the past two weeks and they were both good cigars. Not 95 good, but very nice.

We didn't think they were 95s either. On our Cigar Insider vertical rating we gave the Creo (lancero) an 89 and the Terra Novo (Robusto) an 89 as well. The 94 (not 95) score went to the Churchill.

quote:

Originally posted by Gregory Mottola: We didn't think they were 95s either. On our Cigar Insider vertical rating we gave the Creo (lancero) an 89 and the Terra Novo (Robusto) an 89 as well. The 94 (not 95) score went to the Churchill.

I'm not a member of cigar insider, so I have not been afforded that info. Thanks for the ratings, that is good to know when discussing new cigars.

I guess I'll have to try the Churchill now.

I smoked a torpedo today. It was certainly a great cigar, maybe a 91, but no higher IMO. I prefer the Oliva MB3, though.

The lancero was my favorite size. This stick is defiantly worth a try!

I prefer the Lancero over the Torpedo...but do enjoy the torpedo very much...had a torpedo last night that burned very uneven...