Selected by Cigar Aficionado 2020 #7 Cigar Of The Year – Rated 95
Cigar excellence runs deep in the Rubin family, and there could be no better demonstration of this than Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper Robusto. The second cigar line produced by Alec and Bradley Rubin, sons of Alan Rubin, owner of Alec Bradley Cigars, Gatekeeper has taken the cigar world by storm, earning a solid 95 Rating in Cigar Aficionado and a high spot on the famed magazine’s top 25 list for 2020. For blending and production of this project, the Rubin brothers looked to no other than the Godfather of boutique cigars himself, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. This brand was originally produced in his own Dominican factory, Tabacalera La Alianza, but has since moved to Danli, Honduras, where it is now rolled in Tabacos de Oriente, a factory owned by the Plasencia family. The blend remains the same, however, including fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, a Nicaraguan binder, and a dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper leaf. All in all, Gatekeeper is a connoisseur-level cigar that leaves nothing to be desired.
Rugged and veiny on the outside, Gatekeeper presents a Cuban-esque appearance. The black and gold bands add a touch of opulence, and the solid black cabinet boxes are simple, yet elegant in appearance. Each vitola is rolled to Carrillo’s personal standards, which we all know is nothing short of incredible. An easy draw leads to solid and steady smoke production and the burn line stays sharp and straight throughout. Gatekeeper begins with white pepper and cedar, and plenty of each, laying out the core of the cigar’s flavor profile. Soon thereafter, the blend becomes more decorated, building in complexity as the experience progresses. Cayenne, black cherry, and dark, earthy tobacco flavors are the major players, along with subtle floral hints and touches of cognac and milk chocolate. Gatekeeper finishes as a solid full-bodied cigar, but never becomes overbearing or unbalanced. The 5” x 50 Robusto is the size that found its way to the Top 25 list – short, sweet, and undeniably satisfying.
To an experienced cigar enthusiast, Gatekeeper is a real treat. It has satisfying strength and impressive complexity, along with consistent construction and performance. This blend pairs well with cognac, scotch, or dark beer and makes a great special occasion cigar for any seasoned connoisseur. As previously mentioned, it is the second project from Alec and Bradley Rubin, following the hugely appreciated Blind Faith. So how did the name Gatekeeper come about? According to Alec Rubin regarding his collaboration with Perez-Carrillo, “Ernesto is a gatekeeper to new opportunities and experiences for us.” The statement could not be more true, and not just for the Rubin brothers. Cigar fanatics across the globe now have the opportunity to experience one of the finest new cigars to hit the market: Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper Robusto.
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