Upon first light, the Alec Bradley Black Market Dirty Hooligan tastes like a classic Connecticut cigar. There’s a creaminess accompanied by subtle but consistent spice. This spice comes from youth; I am exceedingly glad that this youth brings no ammonia flavors into the blend. The aroma is creamy and slightly floral as well. At moments, some acrid scents come from the burning cigar, like a quick whiff of a fish market, but more like a walk down a Manhattan sidewalk past a Sabrett hot dog stand – there you smell the burning salt meant for hot pretzels… a distinctive smell that only New Yorkers really understand. It doesn’t detract from the cigar however, it makes it sort of fun. To be fair, this isn’t really a serious cigar. It was released (presumably) as a novelty for St. Patrick’s Day. There are some vegetal notes but nowhere near the levels of grassiness and ammonia I detect on similar green cigars. The candela wrapper has been the object of disgust for me many times just as Honduran cigars have been so many times. Also, I do not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day considering that there isn’t a drop of Irish blood in me and I hate to play Crazy Taxi on my way home from work, avoiding a plethora of cops and amateur leprechauns pumped full of Guinness and Jameson on the roads. Despite my disdain for the latter three things, I was pleasantly surprised by the Hooligan. Maybe I was tempted by the allure of a new cigar, or maybe I was expecting the cigar to be so terrible that I smoked it out of curiosity… like watching a late night infomercial just to see how poorly produced the ad and product are. But, like a person who eventually says “maybe I can use that LaLane juicer” I said “Maybe this cigar isn’t that bad. It doesn’t taste like burning vegetables and styrofoam like other candelas.” Okay, closing thoughts: the wrapper is thin, so be careful when cutting the cigar and be sure not to bite down to hard. Also, I was throroughly unimpressed with the original Black Market and still am. Further, the draw on this cigar is great on one and acceptable on another. Inconsistency is okay with me as long as I can work with it. I don’t prefer it, but it’s part of life and it, sure as hell, is part of making cigars. So would I reccomend the cigar? Yes, it’s worth a try because it is unique and pleasant. End of story. Enjoy the pics. And thank you to the lovely Kaleela for showing off … the cigar.
Life Less Common 