The Alec Bradley Family Blend scored the highest rating of any non-Cuban cigar from Cigar Aficionado in 2010. The original Alec Bradley Family Blend VR1 scored 92 from Aficionado, good enough for a place on the magazine's Top 25 list in 2009. The T11 followed that up with an impressive 94 rating in late 2010. Conceived as a way to honor the fathers of company President Alan Rubin, VP Ralph Montero and George Sosa, the National Sales Director, the band on the Family Blend appropriately says, "for our family" in Spanish. Now made in six sizes: D3 (4 1/2 x 58), VR1 (5 1/2 x 50), BX2 (6 x 54), M23 (7 x 50), T11 (6 1/8 x 52) and GS57 (6 x 60). Outside it's a Honduran wrapper over an Indonesian binder and fillers compliments of Honduras and Nicaragua. The Family Blend is made at Raíces Cubanas in Danlí, the same factory responsible for award-winning cigars from Illusione, Padilla and Viaje.

It's one of the heartier offerings from Alec Bradley with notes of dark coffee, aged leather, rich earth, hearty cedars and a fairly dominant pepper. Construction is what you would expect for a cigar that has consistently got the awards like Family Blend has. It's medium-full in pretty much every aspect of the word. Ratings aside, Family Blend is a phenomenal cigar at an even better price. For those that have overlooked Alec Bradley for whatever reason, prepare for your opinions to change.