Alec Bradley Project 40 vs. Villiger Selecto Connecticut: Perfect Construction Wins M2

GROUP A - EVERYDAY PREMIUMS

Winner: Alec Bradley Project 40 Gordo Natural

Match M2 paired two different routes to sub-$9 value. Alec Bradley Project 40 Gordo Natural qualified at approximately $7.10 per cigar, while Villiger Selecto Connecticut Robusto entered near $8.50. The Project 40 offered a relaxed large-ring Nicaraguan profile; the Selecto answered with a compact, approachable Connecticut format.

Project 40 is a medium-bodied 6 x 60 cigar with a Nicaraguan wrapper and filler around a Brazilian Habano binder. The Selecto is a mild-to-medium 5 x 50 robusto with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. Its country of manufacture and factory remain marked for confirmation because current listings conflict.

Alec Bradley won the official matchup 27.5 to 27.0. Project 40 earned a perfect 5.0 in construction against the Selecto's 4.5. Draw, burn, flavor complexity, balance, and finish all tied at 4.5, making that single construction advantage the complete half-point margin.

Large-Ring Nicaraguan Depth vs. Creamy Connecticut Balance

Project 40 opened with cedar, roasted nuts, and light pepper. Coffee and earth developed through the center, supported by restrained sweetness rather than heavy richness. Oak and pepper returned toward the finish, while the 60-ring format stayed cool and unhurried.

Villiger Selecto Connecticut began with cream, cedar, toasted grain, and gentle white pepper. Almond and cashew joined coffee and subtle sweetness in the middle. Cedar and spice then carried a clean, creamy finish that preserved the cigar's mild-to-medium character.

The contrast was clear without producing a scoring gap in flavor. Project 40 supplied more earth, coffee, oak, and pepper; the Selecto emphasized cream, toasted grain, and nuts. Each profile developed enough to earn 4.5 for complexity, balance, and finish.

Where Match M2 Was Decided

Project 40 won construction 5.0 to 4.5. The perfect mark recognized the evaluated cigar's physical execution and its ability to support a cool, composed large-ring smoke. The Selecto remained well made, but its strong 4.5 did not match the winner's category ceiling.

Official score: Alec Bradley Project 40 Gordo Natural 27.5, Villiger Selecto Connecticut Robusto 27.0.

Every other category finished even at 4.5. Draw and burn were reliable on both cigars. Project 40's deeper Nicaraguan register and the Selecto's creamy Connecticut balance earned equal credit in complexity, balance, and finish.

No secondary formula or hidden tiebreak was needed. One official half-point in construction separated two closely matched performances, and the 27.5-27.0 total follows directly from the six published category scores.

Official Result: Alec Bradley Project 40 Gordo Natural Wins M2

Alec Bradley Project 40 Gordo Natural defeated Villiger Selecto Connecticut Robusto 27.5 to 27.0 and opened its Group A schedule at 1-0. The result rewarded a perfect construction score while preserving five category ties.

Villiger Selecto Connecticut moved to 0-1, but the score confirmed a competitive performance. Its draw, burn, complexity, balance, and finish all matched the winner. The loss reflected one exceptional construction mark on the other side, not a broad mechanical or flavor failure.

Final Ashology Verdict

Villiger Selecto Connecticut Robusto delivered a smooth, approachable profile built around cream, cedar, toasted grain, nuts, coffee, and measured spice. It remained balanced and dependable enough to force a five-category draw.

Alec Bradley Project 40 Gordo Natural paired cedar, roasted nuts, coffee, earth, oak, and pepper with the strongest construction performance in the match. That perfect 5.0 supplied exactly enough separation to earn the M2 victory.

Tasting notes reflect the exact cigars and vitolas evaluated for the 2026 Value Cigar Championship. Flavor, strength, draw, and burn may vary with storage, age, production variation, and individual palate. Tobacco products are intended only for adults of legal smoking age.