Alec Bradley Kintsugi Wabi Sabi Toro

Released in 2025, the limited-edition Kintsugi Wabi Sabi marks a milestone for Alec Bradley: it’s the first cigar in the brand’s history made by A.J. Fernandez. Only 1,500 boxes were produced. The name draws from the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which celebrates authenticity and beauty in imperfection—a fitting extension of the original Kintsugi concept. Handcrafted in Estelí, Nicaragua, this 6 x 52 Toro combines an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. It’s a bold, flavorful smoke, revealing cedar and wood alongside cream, black pepper, cinnamon, and touches of natural sweetness. The Nicaraguan core provides plenty of strength, while creamy undertones keep everything nicely balanced. Pair it with Turley Wine Cellars Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel. A rich Zinfandel has the fruit and structure to stand alongside this powerful cigar, while its ripe berry character and peppery spice play beautifully against the Habano wrapper. It’s a big, expressive pairing for a cigar that was never intended to be ordinary.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.