AshMap
Overview
The Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo doesn't announce itself with a brass band. It slips in like a rumor — a figurado with a Colorado-shade Honduran Habano wrapper that looks almost too modest for the noise it makes on the palate. Since the Black Market line first appeared around 2009, it has quietly built a reputation as the working aficionado's secret handshake: a cigar that delivers far more than its price tag suggests, without ever begging for attention. The Torpedo vitola, rolled at the Raices Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras, takes that quiet confidence and stretches it into a 90-minute arc of steadily building intensity.
Before the flame ever touches the tapered head, the cold draw offers a preview: dry cedar, a flick of white pepper, and a faint, almost nostalgic sweetness — toasted almonds cooling on a windowsill. The light-off is immediate and assertive. Espresso and dry cocoa powder rush forward, grounded by a subtle earthiness that speaks directly to the Honduran wrapper. Black pepper builds on the retrohale with each puff, never harsh but insistent, like a metronome marking time. By the one-inch mark, you understand this is not a cigar that eases you in — it pulls you under.
The second third is where the blend finds its depth. Leather and dark roast coffee take the lead, draped over a bittersweet dark chocolate note that lingers on the back of the tongue. A woody cedar backbone runs throughout, giving the smoke a structural elegance, while a mild floral quality — almost hay-like, sun-dried and soft — emerges mid-palate. Strength ramps up noticeably here. The smoke becomes dense, coating, full-bodied in a way that demands you sit up a little straighter. This is the point where the Torpedo stops being a value cigar and starts being a serious one.
The final third turns richer and more intense. Mocha and charred oak dominate, with pepper spice still elevated on the retrohale. A brief, beautiful dried fruit sweetness — dark cherry or raisin — surfaces and then fades, like a memory you can't quite hold. The finish is long, dry, and satisfying, with a slight tannic grip that keeps the palate engaged. Construction is consistently excellent: the draw is open and effortless with moderate resistance, the burn line holds remarkably true for a torpedo, and the ash — firm, salt-and-pepper in color — holds one to one and a half inches before releasing cleanly. This is a cigar that rewards attention but doesn't punish distraction. It's a gateway for those moving from medium into full-bodied territory, and a dependable rotation staple for seasoned smokers who don't want to overthink it.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Habano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long fillers, aged tobaccos from Jalapa and Danlí |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — produced at Raices Cubanas factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.25 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $9–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos undergo extended aging prior to rolling; specific duration not publicly disclosed by Alec Bradley |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with cedar, white pepper, and a faint sweetness reminiscent of toasted almonds. Light-off delivers an immediate hit of espresso and dry cocoa powder with a subtle earthiness from the Honduran wrapper. Black pepper builds steadily on the retrohale.
Second Third
Complexity deepens as leather and dark roast coffee take center stage, layered over a bittersweet dark chocolate note. A woody, cedar backbone runs throughout while a mild floral quality — almost hay-like — emerges mid-palate. Strength ramps up noticeably here, with a full-bodied density that coats the palate.
Final Third
The final third turns richer and more intense, with a pronounced mocha and charred oak character. Pepper spice remains elevated on the retrohale, and a subtle dried fruit sweetness — dark cherry or raisin — surfaces briefly. The finish is long, dry, and satisfying with a slight tannic grip.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently excellent from Raices Cubanas — the draw is open and effortless with moderate resistance, and the burn line holds remarkably true for a torpedo, requiring minimal touchups. Ash is firm, salt-and-pepper in color, and holds one to one and a half inches before releasing cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Honduran rum such as Ron Zacapa 23 or Flor de Caña 12-year; alternatively a high-rye bourbon like Bulleit or Four Roses Single Barrel to complement the spice and chocolate notes
Wine
A full-bodied Malbec from Mendoza (Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer) or a California Zinfandel with dark fruit character to echo the mocha and dried fruit elements
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or dark-roast cold brew — Ethiopian or Guatemalan single-origin preferred — to harmonize with the cigar's cocoa and coffee backbone
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a Thursday evening in late October. You've just finished a steak dinner, the dishes are cleared, and the porch is cool enough for a jacket. You've been smoking cigars for a year or two — you know you like Nicaraguan tobacco, you've dabbled in Honduran blends, but you haven't yet committed to the full-bodied end of the spectrum. You want something that feels like a step up without knocking you over. The Black Market Torpedo is that step. It meets you where you are, then walks you forward. The tapered head asks for a deliberate draw, which slows you down just enough to notice the transition from espresso to leather to mocha. You'll finish it in 90 minutes, and you'll want to do it again next week.
Bottom Line
The Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo is one of the most underrated value plays in the medium-full category — a cigar that punches well above its price point and delivers a full sensory arc without asking for your full attention. Buy a box. Smoke one now. Smoke another in six months. You'll be glad you did.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Alec Bradley Black Market cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo a strong cigar?
Yes — it's rated Medium-Full (4/5). Physically, that means you'll feel a noticeable nicotine presence by the second third, especially on an empty stomach. The strength ramps up gradually, so it's manageable for experienced smokers, but newcomers should eat first and take their time.
What does Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo taste like?
It opens with cedar, white pepper, toasted almonds, espresso, and dry cocoa powder. The second third brings leather, dark roast coffee, bittersweet dark chocolate, cedar, and a mild hay-like floral note. The final third delivers mocha, charred oak, elevated pepper spice, and a brief dried fruit sweetness — dark cherry or raisin — with a long, dry, tannic finish.
How long does Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo take to smoke?
Expect roughly 90 minutes. The 6.25 x 52 Torpedo vitola burns slowly and evenly, and the tapered head encourages a deliberate draw. Rushing it will cause the cigar to overheat and turn bitter, so set aside a relaxed afternoon or post-dinner session.
What is the best pairing for Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo?
An aged Honduran rum like Ron Zacapa 23 or Flor de Caña 12-year works beautifully — the rum's caramel and vanilla notes echo the cigar's cocoa and dried fruit. Alternatively, a high-rye bourbon like Bulleit or Four Roses Single Barrel complements the spice and chocolate. For wine, a full-bodied Mendoza Malbec or California Zinfandel mirrors the mocha and dark fruit.
Is Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo good for beginners?
It's best for smokers moving from medium into full-bodied territory. The Medium-Full strength (4/5) and $9–$13 price point make it an accessible step up, but true beginners should start with something milder. If you've smoked a handful of medium-bodied cigars and want to test the waters, this is an excellent choice — just eat beforehand.
Where can I buy Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo?
You'll find it at most premium cigar retailers — local tobacconists, online shops like Famous Smoke, JR Cigar, and Cigars International, and some lounge chains. It's a regular-production cigar, so availability is generally good. Boxes of 22 are the standard format.
What is the price of Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo?
Expect to pay $9–$13 per cigar, depending on the retailer and taxes. Boxes of 22 typically run between $180 and $260. At that price, it's one of the best value propositions in the medium-full category.
Is Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo worth aging?
Yes, though it's already aged before rolling — Alec Bradley extends the aging of the tobaccos prior to construction, though the exact duration isn't disclosed. The Honduran Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan/Honduran long fillers will continue to meld over time. Six to twelve months in a humidor will smooth the pepper and deepen the chocolate and dried fruit notes. Beyond two years, the change is subtle but pleasant.
What wrapper does Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo use?
It uses a Honduran Habano wrapper in a Colorado shade — medium brown to russet, lightly toothy with a subtle satin sheen. That wrapper contributes much of the cigar's earthy backbone and helps balance the Nicaraguan binder and filler's pepper and cocoa notes.
Where is Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo made?
It's produced in Danlí, Honduras, at the Raices Cubanas factory. That factory is known for consistent construction, and the Black Market Torpedo reflects it — the draw is open and effortless, the burn line holds true, and the ash is firm and salt-and-pepper in color.