Alec Bradley Magic Toast Review

I've had the Alec Bradley Magic Toast on my list of cigars to try for a while. I'd heard the story behind it, and that dark Honduran wrapper had me interested. I finally had a chance to sit down with the 6 x 52 Toro and see what it was all about.

I'm glad I did. This one caught me a little off guard, especially toward the end. I actually found myself enjoying it more the further I got into it, which isn't always the case with every cigar I smoke.

Here's how my experience with the Magic Toast went, from the first light through the final third.

The Story Behind Alec Bradley Magic Toast

The story behind the Magic Toast is actually pretty interesting. It goes back to a late-night visit to a tobacco field in Honduras.

Alec Bradley founder Alan Rubin was out inspecting tobacco with his business partner, Ralph Montero, and a few others. They were walking through the field with flashlights when Rubin came across tobacco that really impressed him. Apparently, they were excited enough about what they found that someone cracked open a bottle of whiskey, and the group raised a toast right there in the field.

That night eventually inspired Magic Toast, with tobacco from the same field making its way into the blend. Alec Bradley originally introduced Magic Toast as a mystery cigar ahead of the 2018 IPCPR trade show. It was officially unveiled that July, with shipments beginning in October.

As for the cigar itself, we're looking at a dark Honduran wrapper, a double binder using Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco, and fillers from both countries. The cigars are produced at the Raíces Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras.

Magic Toast Cigar Specifications

Wrapper: Honduran

Binder: Honduran and Nicaraguan

Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan

Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas, Honduras

Country of Origin: Honduras

Available Sizes: Robusto (5 x 52), Toro (6 x 52), Gordo (6 x 60), Chunk (4½ x 60)

Size Reviewed: Toro (6 x 52)

Notable Features: Dark Honduran wrapper, dual-country double binder, and Honduran tobacco from the crop that inspired the cigar's name.

Flavor Highlights: Almond, roasted coffee, creaminess, dried fruit, earth

Price Point: Around $11-12 per single cigar and around $260 per box of 24 cigars

First Impressions: Appearance, Aroma, and Cold Draw

The Magic Toast Toro made a good first impression. Its dark wrapper was relatively smooth, with a slight oiliness and a few small veins. The cigar felt evenly packed from head to foot, with no noticeable soft spots, and the cap looked well applied.

The pre-light aroma was fairly straightforward, with tobacco and earth coming through from the wrapper and foot.

The cold draw was initially a little tighter than I prefer, so I used the built-in draw poker on my Jetline lighter to open it up before lighting. There wasn't much flavor coming through on the cold draw, so I was curious to see what would develop once I got into the cigar.

First Third

Once lit, the cigar settled in nicely. The draw was right where I wanted it, and the burn was looking good.

Flavorwise, things started off with a sweetness that immediately caught my attention. There were some underlying earthy flavors that I couldn't quite identify, but the combination was really enjoyable.

The body was sitting comfortably around medium, and I was particularly impressed by the aroma. Between the sweetness and how well the cigar was smoking, I was really enjoying the opening third.

Second Third

The second third is where the Magic Toast really started coming together for me. The sweetness from the opening third was still present, but I began picking up some almond notes as the creaminess increased. Coffee also started making an appearance, working really well alongside the almond sweetness and creamy profile.

The finish remained relatively short, and the body continued to sit comfortably at medium. Rather than changing direction completely, the additional flavors built nicely on what I had enjoyed during the first third.

One thing I have to mention is the aroma. It was fantastic, with an almost vanilla-like sweetness coming through. My buddy, who was sitting across from me, actually commented on how good it smelled several times.

The construction continued to impress me. The ash was incredibly tight, and the burn remained almost perfectly straight.

Final Third

The Magic Toast continued to improve as I worked my way into the final third. The roasted coffee and almond sweetness were still very much present, but the flavors started becoming bolder, and the smoke developed a noticeably thicker texture.

I also began picking up something new on the retrohale. There was a dried fruit sweetness, almost like raisins, along with what I thought might have been the slightest hint of cinnamon. Both worked really well with the coffee and almond notes that had developed earlier.

The smoke started getting a little warmer toward the end, but nothing that took away from the experience. Despite the increasing flavor intensity, the cigar maintained its medium body.

The final third ended up being my favorite. The added richness and thicker smoke brought everything together, making for a really enjoyable finish.

Construction, Draw, and Burn Performance

Aside from the initially tight cold draw, I was impressed with how well the Magic Toast performed.

After using the draw poker on my Jetline lighter, the draw opened up exactly where I wanted it. From that point forward, I didn't need to make another adjustment.

The burn line remained consistently straight, and the ash held together exceptionally well. Even as the smoke became thicker and slightly warmer toward the end, the cigar never gave me any real trouble.

Considering how little attention it required after that initial adjustment, I was very pleased with its overall construction and performance.

Final Verdict: Our Alec Bradley Magic Toast Review

I really enjoyed how this cigar developed. It started with some sweetness and earthiness, but the combination of roasted coffee, almond, and creaminess that came through later was where it really won me over. By the final third, I was picking up some dried fruit on the retrohale and possibly a little cinnamon.

And I have to mention the aroma again. My buddy was sitting across from me while I smoked this, and he kept commenting on how good it smelled. I was getting an almost vanilla-like sweetness from it, which made the whole experience that much better.

The only thing that bothered me was the tight draw before lighting. I used my draw poker to open it up, and that seemed to take care of the problem. After that, I had absolutely no complaints about how it smoked. The ash held together incredibly well, and I didn't need a single touch-up.

What I liked most was that the flavors kept building without the cigar becoming too strong. It stayed right around medium for me, even as the smoke got thicker and the flavors became richer.

At around the $11 - $12 mark for a single, I think it's a good buy. I'd happily pick up a box, which probably tells you everything you need to know about how much I enjoyed this one.

Ratings Breakdown

Where to Buy Alec Bradley Magic Toast

If the Alec Bradley Magic Toast sounds like something you'd enjoy, it's definitely worth picking up a 5-pack or even a full box. Between the almond sweetness, roasted coffee, creamy texture, and excellent flavor progression, this is a cigar that kept me interested from start to finish.

Whether you're already a fan of Alec Bradley or looking to try something new, the Magic Toast Toro is a great option for anyone who enjoys a flavorful, medium-bodied smoke.

Ready to give it a try? Shop the Alec Bradley Magic Toast at After Action Cigars and see how your experience compares to ours.