Howdy howdy howdy! All right, today we’ll get right into it here. I’m going to take a look at the new Alec Bradley Post Embargo and this is the blend code B15. I’m not sure, but it’d be kind of neat if they keep doing different blend codes – maybe one a year or something like that. That’d be a pretty cool concept from Alec Bradley.

Now, I thought I got a toro when I ordered this, but the way this measures out, it’s more like a robusto at only about 5 inches. Unless they drastically changed the size of what constitutes a toro, we’re going with robusto for this review.

Construction and First Impressions

The Alec Bradley Post Embargo B15 comes with a nice little pigtail at the end – ain’t it cute? The construction feels solid, and I appreciate that these bands are different from what you usually get. They’re like a soft type paper, not those hard bands you typically see that seem to have coatings on them. These are just regular old paperboard, which makes them easy to remove without damaging the wrapper.

This is a Honduran wrapper with double Honduran binder and Honduran and Nicaraguan filler. It’s been a while since I’ve had a Honduran wrapper, so this should be an interesting experience. At about $32 for a 5-pack, you’re looking at roughly $6-7 per cigar depending on the size, which puts it in that accessible premium range.

First Third: Earthy and Salty Start

Right from the first puff, the dominant flavor is earthiness – and I mean it really takes over. There’s some woodiness in there supporting the profile, but that earthiness is front and center. What caught my attention early on is a salty component up front that adds an interesting dimension to the experience.

There’s also a touch of sweetness, but nothing overly sweet – just a subtle hint on the aftertaste after you exhale the smoke. It’s kind of neat how it shows up just as a finishing note rather than being prominent throughout the puff.

The early flavors include:

• Dominant earthiness
• Supporting woodiness
• Salty component on the front
• Subtle sweetness on the finish

Second Third: Developing That Distinctive Character

About halfway through, the earthiness continues to dominate, but that saltiness from the beginning fades away. I start picking up a little bit of pepper here and there, though it’s not overly dominant in the profile.

Here’s where this cigar develops what I can only describe as a dull taste that almost deadens your palate. It’s hard to explain, but imagine charred meat that’s been soaked in water for an hour – you get rid of all the char intensity, but you’re left with this muted, waterlogged version of that flavor. That’s the best way I can describe what this cigar is giving me.

The woodiness remains present, and there’s still that tiny bit of sweetness that reminds me of blueberry – not super sweet, just kind of there. Sometimes these weird flavor notes come up in cigars, and that’s what that sweetness translates to for my palate.

Performance: Solid Construction

From a technical standpoint, the Post Embargo B15 performs well. The burn has been great – no touch-ups, no issues, just a really nice burn line throughout. The construction lives up to what you’d expect from Alec Bradley, with consistent draw and even combustion.

For a robusto, it provides a good smoking time without requiring constant attention to performance issues.

Final Third: Ramping Up the Intensity

Here at the end, that dullness has picked up and become more prominent. The cigar develops more pepper in this final section, which is nice because it gives you a little “oh okay” moment when you’re smoking rather than just being a plain experience throughout.

The flavors are strong but not too complex – this is one of those cigars that even if you’re new to cigars, you’ll be able to appreciate what it’s offering. It’s a good cigar in terms of being approachable and straightforward.

That woodiness is definitely coming through clearly in this final third – there’s no doubt about that flavor. The earthiness has kind of gone to the wayside here at the end, making room for the wood and pepper to take center stage.

Strength Assessment: Accessible Medium

The Post Embargo B15 sits comfortably in medium territory. I started smoking this around 11 in the morning and had no problems with it, and I’m typically a mild to medium smoker. The flavors are really blasting through, especially toward the end, but the nicotine strength remains manageable.

It’s the kind of cigar that makes you notice it more as you progress rather than just being something you smoke passively. It really develops and evolves as you go through it.

The Flavor Journey: Honest Assessment

I’ll be honest – while this isn’t a bad cigar, there’s something about that dull, charred meat taste that doesn’t quite work for me. It’s like a watered-down version of that Ligero intensity you might expect, but without the satisfying punch that usually comes with it.

Maybe someone can put it in better words than I can, but it reminds me of charred cardboard – though I’ve never actually chewed on burnt cardboard to confirm that comparison! If you’ve tried that combination, let me know if it matches what I’m getting here.

The blueberry sweetness I mentioned earlier pretty much disappears in the final third, replaced by more of a sugary water taste that gets overwhelmed by that dominant dull character.

Value Consideration: Decent but Not Exceptional

At $32 for a 5-pack, the Post Embargo B15 represents reasonable value for what you’re getting. The construction is solid, the burn is excellent, and the flavors are pronounced enough that you’ll definitely taste the cigar’s character.

However, the price point feels a bit high for what the flavor profile delivers. While it’s not a bad cigar by any means, there are other options in this price range that might offer more complexity or more satisfying flavor development.

Who This Cigar Works For

The Alec Bradley Post Embargo B15 would work well for:

• New cigar smokers looking for something straightforward and approachable
• Honduran tobacco fans who appreciate that terroir
• Medium-strength smokers who want flavor without overwhelming power
• Anyone seeking a reliable everyday smoke with consistent construction

Final Thoughts: Straightforward but Limited

The Post Embargo B15 represents a decent cigar that delivers on basic expectations – good construction, medium strength, and pronounced flavors. It really develops as you smoke through it, becoming more noticeable and engaging toward the end.

However, that distinctive dull character that dominates the profile may not appeal to everyone. While the earthiness, woodiness, and pepper create a recognizable flavor profile, the overall experience feels somewhat limited in terms of complexity and refinement.

This is the kind of cigar where your experience may vary significantly from mine – palate preferences play a huge role in how these flavors translate for different smokers.

Ready to try the Alec Bradley Post Embargo B15 for yourself? You can grab a 5-pack for $32 through our affiliate at Cigar Page, supporting our site while exploring this Honduran blend.

Have you tried the Post Embargo B15 or other cigars from Alec Bradley’s blend code series? Did you experience that same dull, charred character I mentioned, or did your palate pick up something completely different? Let me know in the comments – these flavor experiences can be so personal, and I’d love to hear how this one worked for your taste buds.

Until next time, keep smoking!