Most BOTLs on here seem to lust after the Ligas and I had never had one up to today. I can now see the draw this lovely cigar has for you. Here are my .02 on my first Liga.
Brand: Drew Estates
Name: Liga Privada #9
Size: 6 x 52
Type: Oscuro (Id call it a Maduro if I hadnt looked into this)
Shape: Belicoso
First impression/draw: Dark but not unnaturally dark, nice matte oiliness to it (meaning its not one of those wet looking cigars), very nice workmanship on the rolling of this beauty, The foot looks very consistent in the roll with a nice full roll. The roller didnt skimp on leaves for this baby. The wrapper is again a nice wrap in a mouthwatering dark leaf that looks as perfect as a hand rolled cigar can get. There is a perfect human touch to this cigar. The initial aroma is light cedar with not much more until you sniff the foot. The foot gives off a slight warm coffee aroma.
The initial flavor on the pallet is a bitter salad. The draw is medium hard and carries notes of a woodsy coffee, dark chocolate and some spices that I cannot quit place yet. The unlit draw also has chewiness to it.
Cut: Straight cut using a Xikar Xi
First 3rd: the light was easy and the smoke is heavy even at rest. I noticed after I took a i true of the stick that the first third oops darker. Now I'm wondering if it was moist and needed to rest longer. Initial flavors are al deep (not heavy) chocolate and coffee. The bitterness upon per light is instantly gone, not even a hint. I did get what I thought was the aroma of popcorn for a split second and I'm getting some residual spice on the tongue. Not a pepper, but actual spice
The ash is a creamy white and looks like it's going to be loose based on large cracks forming in the first half inch. Ashed at abut an inch t be safe but it didn't want t go the center seems to be strong with this one.
As I finish the first third the smoke is still heavy and the flavor has turned t a peppery woodsy finish. The aroma is quit pleasant and I find I enjoy getting a wiff of the draw end when I can. It's got a fresh ground coffee aroma to it.
Second 3rd: as I enter the second third the ash color and burn are the same. This is a very nice cigar minus that heavy smoke. I he. Have not signaled a rescue attempt! I'll be pissed if I'm pled away from this cigar.
As I puff away on this, my first Liga, I must say it's got heartiness to it that combined with the pepper (not a heavy pepper like some) I almost want to take a bite of it. It's developing a nice BBQ char flavor. Imagine that thick cut rib eye with a nice char to it, that's whammies getting here. I'm enjoying this, a lot now. The smoke is still heavy at rest and I'm well past that dark area that was at the bottom third.
I almost forgot that I a out of my second third of this cigar. It went out shortly after entering the second third and needed very little to get burning again. The characteristics have not changed. Flavor, smoke (less smoke now finally) burn aroma, just every aspect of this cigar is great. I should also mention that the heat is not even close to being an issue at this point.
Final 3rd: Coming into the final third I went in to get my cigar clip as I see this as being a nub burner. I'm really appreciating the qualities of this stick. It's not overly complex but it is intriguing, it's not overpowering in strength but is giving me a good feeling, it's pleasant to look at, it's pleasant to hold up to my lips and this is what a god cigar should be...a pleasant experience. I wish there were someone else smoking one with me to talk about it because that's what I want to do, talk about this cigar.
I'm starting taste some warmth now and that's translating into a lingering black pepper taste on the tongue. Most other soles would be too hot at this point and I would be ending them. This stick begs to be smoked, it strives to provide the lucky smoker an experience and it is doing that for me hands down.
I'm down to a decent now and on longer draw I get heat and unpleasant flavors BUT if I do short draws I get a walnut flavor. I've now moved to holding it with my cigar clip and am still enjoying this smoke. The walnut flavor and a sip of Hoegarrden is making do a nice combo. A cup of coffee or a dark beer (I've never been much of a scotch/whiskey neat drinker) would also go very well at this point.
How long did it take to smoke: 12:30 2:25 (115 minutes)
Did you have to re-light and how often: Once
What were you drinking with it: Hoegarrden
Recommend: Yes! This is a medium to strong smoke and has great flavors (not overly complex) and is enjoyable all the way through. I cant wait to find more of these and let them rest for a while to see how they mature (if they make it that long).
Brand: Drew Estates
Name: Liga Privada #9
Size: 6 x 52
Type: Oscuro (Id call it a Maduro if I hadnt looked into this)
Shape: Belicoso
First impression/draw: Dark but not unnaturally dark, nice matte oiliness to it (meaning its not one of those wet looking cigars), very nice workmanship on the rolling of this beauty, The foot looks very consistent in the roll with a nice full roll. The roller didnt skimp on leaves for this baby. The wrapper is again a nice wrap in a mouthwatering dark leaf that looks as perfect as a hand rolled cigar can get. There is a perfect human touch to this cigar. The initial aroma is light cedar with not much more until you sniff the foot. The foot gives off a slight warm coffee aroma.
The initial flavor on the pallet is a bitter salad. The draw is medium hard and carries notes of a woodsy coffee, dark chocolate and some spices that I cannot quit place yet. The unlit draw also has chewiness to it.
Cut: Straight cut using a Xikar Xi
First 3rd: the light was easy and the smoke is heavy even at rest. I noticed after I took a i true of the stick that the first third oops darker. Now I'm wondering if it was moist and needed to rest longer. Initial flavors are al deep (not heavy) chocolate and coffee. The bitterness upon per light is instantly gone, not even a hint. I did get what I thought was the aroma of popcorn for a split second and I'm getting some residual spice on the tongue. Not a pepper, but actual spice
The ash is a creamy white and looks like it's going to be loose based on large cracks forming in the first half inch. Ashed at abut an inch t be safe but it didn't want t go the center seems to be strong with this one.
As I finish the first third the smoke is still heavy and the flavor has turned t a peppery woodsy finish. The aroma is quit pleasant and I find I enjoy getting a wiff of the draw end when I can. It's got a fresh ground coffee aroma to it.
Second 3rd: as I enter the second third the ash color and burn are the same. This is a very nice cigar minus that heavy smoke. I he. Have not signaled a rescue attempt! I'll be pissed if I'm pled away from this cigar.
As I puff away on this, my first Liga, I must say it's got heartiness to it that combined with the pepper (not a heavy pepper like some) I almost want to take a bite of it. It's developing a nice BBQ char flavor. Imagine that thick cut rib eye with a nice char to it, that's whammies getting here. I'm enjoying this, a lot now. The smoke is still heavy at rest and I'm well past that dark area that was at the bottom third.
I almost forgot that I a out of my second third of this cigar. It went out shortly after entering the second third and needed very little to get burning again. The characteristics have not changed. Flavor, smoke (less smoke now finally) burn aroma, just every aspect of this cigar is great. I should also mention that the heat is not even close to being an issue at this point.
Final 3rd: Coming into the final third I went in to get my cigar clip as I see this as being a nub burner. I'm really appreciating the qualities of this stick. It's not overly complex but it is intriguing, it's not overpowering in strength but is giving me a good feeling, it's pleasant to look at, it's pleasant to hold up to my lips and this is what a god cigar should be...a pleasant experience. I wish there were someone else smoking one with me to talk about it because that's what I want to do, talk about this cigar.
I'm starting taste some warmth now and that's translating into a lingering black pepper taste on the tongue. Most other soles would be too hot at this point and I would be ending them. This stick begs to be smoked, it strives to provide the lucky smoker an experience and it is doing that for me hands down.
I'm down to a decent now and on longer draw I get heat and unpleasant flavors BUT if I do short draws I get a walnut flavor. I've now moved to holding it with my cigar clip and am still enjoying this smoke. The walnut flavor and a sip of Hoegarrden is making do a nice combo. A cup of coffee or a dark beer (I've never been much of a scotch/whiskey neat drinker) would also go very well at this point.
How long did it take to smoke: 12:30 2:25 (115 minutes)
Did you have to re-light and how often: Once
What were you drinking with it: Hoegarrden
Recommend: Yes! This is a medium to strong smoke and has great flavors (not overly complex) and is enjoyable all the way through. I cant wait to find more of these and let them rest for a while to see how they mature (if they make it that long).
