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BoM Jan '11
Liga Privada JD 4
Like the Liga Privada No. 9 - which is Steve Sakas personal blend - the JD 4 is another unique blend favored by none other than Jonathan Drew. My sources tell me that the JD 4 is not a new blend, but is actually the runner up to the blend that became the T 52. During the blending process, the #3 blend - which is now the T52 - beat out the #4 for top spot, however, it would appear that the Jonathan Drew was such a fan of #4 that he continued to have it made small batches for his personal enjoyment. From what I understand, the two cigar blends are virtually identical, but differ in the amount of viso and ligero used in their composition seeing the JD4 using more ligero. Special thanks goes out to Lilo for the afformentioned info.
This particular vitola is a Toro measuring 6x52, and as previously alluded too uses the same stalk cut Connecticut Habano broadleaf as the T52. The wrapper is deep brown, almost black and carries with it one of the heaviest oil sheen’s I've ever seen. This cigar was certainly bunched and packed well as it feels quite heavy and robust in the hand, Ive only given it a preliminary run over, but its fairly safe to assume there aren't any soft spots in the body. Additionally, wrapper is applied so tightly that the seems of the leaf are nearly invisible to the eye and neither are the veins running the length of the body.
Pre-Light: Running my nose along the wrapper, I sense stout tobacco and spice mixed with slight cocoa that lingers in the background, as if it were possible, fragrances from the foot are of even stronger tobacco. Clipping the cap gives way to an smooth draw, on which are carried notes of mild tobacco and spice.
Light: The foot toasts and lights quickly producing massive volumes of smoke, so much so that I'm almost overwhelmed by it. Carried on these heavy plumes are sweet notes of vanilla, dark chocolate, espresso and spice on some of the creamiest smoke I've had the pleasure of savouring in some time. The aroma from the ambient burn is quite floral in its own right, offering pleasant notes of vanilla and caramel.
First Third: After a good 20 minutes, this cigar is spitting out smoke like a coal fire, even when left to sit on its own generous plumes continue to fill the air. The draw it self is just as impressive as the smoke output, though much the same as the light it would seem as if the notes are beginning to meld. Vanilla is still present at the onset of the draw leading nicely into dark chocolate notes that couple with spice, this in turn transitions into espresso and leather on the finish. Taking in the expelled smoke, notes of leather and oak are present – strong for the first third of a cigar, but to be expected from one this full bodied as this. The alluded to in the examination, the construction is flawless exhibiting an excellent burn and an ash that is least 2 inches long heading into the second third.
Second third: Mid way through the second third, the vanilla and dark chocolate have begun to meld further into one another, espresso and spice are still discernible in their own right, but leather entirely dominates the finish. Leather and oak also continue to grasp a firm hold among the expelled smoke, however, the ambient burn remains quite floral and is equally enjoyable. The ash continues to hold well again nearly in excess of two inches leading into the final third with the burn still quite even.
Final third: With roughly two inches to go, this JD 4 shows no signs of slowing down the flavor train. Only after an hour and ten minutes have the vanilla and dark chocolate begun to fade, though they are both still faintly present at the onset of the draw. Espresso and leather have almost completely melded making for a very strong finish along with spice in tow lingering thereafter. The nasal retro-hale sees no deviation from the first two thirds, though leather and earth have become stronger quite a bit stronger, almost overpowering the ambient smoke. Surprisingly, the burn has wavered somewhat from its crisp sharp trend but remains relatively even overall with the ash holding firm about for one inch with an inch left towards the nub.
Devotion, or perhaps love of the cigar? You decide
Final thoughts: A complex cigar that shows its true colours from light to finish. With everything from brilliant floral highlights to a deep and spicy leathery finish, the JD 4 doesn’t disappoint and proves to be yet another stellar cigar in the Liga Privada line up. I have no information as to the price point of this cigar as it is still pre-release, though I can tell you that I will DEFINITELY be searching out more of these as soon as they are available - Liga whores everywhere will rejoice
Total smoking time was roughly an hour and a half.
Thanks for reading.
Like the Liga Privada No. 9 - which is Steve Sakas personal blend - the JD 4 is another unique blend favored by none other than Jonathan Drew. My sources tell me that the JD 4 is not a new blend, but is actually the runner up to the blend that became the T 52. During the blending process, the #3 blend - which is now the T52 - beat out the #4 for top spot, however, it would appear that the Jonathan Drew was such a fan of #4 that he continued to have it made small batches for his personal enjoyment. From what I understand, the two cigar blends are virtually identical, but differ in the amount of viso and ligero used in their composition seeing the JD4 using more ligero. Special thanks goes out to Lilo for the afformentioned info.
This particular vitola is a Toro measuring 6x52, and as previously alluded too uses the same stalk cut Connecticut Habano broadleaf as the T52. The wrapper is deep brown, almost black and carries with it one of the heaviest oil sheen’s I've ever seen. This cigar was certainly bunched and packed well as it feels quite heavy and robust in the hand, Ive only given it a preliminary run over, but its fairly safe to assume there aren't any soft spots in the body. Additionally, wrapper is applied so tightly that the seems of the leaf are nearly invisible to the eye and neither are the veins running the length of the body.
Pre-Light: Running my nose along the wrapper, I sense stout tobacco and spice mixed with slight cocoa that lingers in the background, as if it were possible, fragrances from the foot are of even stronger tobacco. Clipping the cap gives way to an smooth draw, on which are carried notes of mild tobacco and spice.
Light: The foot toasts and lights quickly producing massive volumes of smoke, so much so that I'm almost overwhelmed by it. Carried on these heavy plumes are sweet notes of vanilla, dark chocolate, espresso and spice on some of the creamiest smoke I've had the pleasure of savouring in some time. The aroma from the ambient burn is quite floral in its own right, offering pleasant notes of vanilla and caramel.
First Third: After a good 20 minutes, this cigar is spitting out smoke like a coal fire, even when left to sit on its own generous plumes continue to fill the air. The draw it self is just as impressive as the smoke output, though much the same as the light it would seem as if the notes are beginning to meld. Vanilla is still present at the onset of the draw leading nicely into dark chocolate notes that couple with spice, this in turn transitions into espresso and leather on the finish. Taking in the expelled smoke, notes of leather and oak are present – strong for the first third of a cigar, but to be expected from one this full bodied as this. The alluded to in the examination, the construction is flawless exhibiting an excellent burn and an ash that is least 2 inches long heading into the second third.
Second third: Mid way through the second third, the vanilla and dark chocolate have begun to meld further into one another, espresso and spice are still discernible in their own right, but leather entirely dominates the finish. Leather and oak also continue to grasp a firm hold among the expelled smoke, however, the ambient burn remains quite floral and is equally enjoyable. The ash continues to hold well again nearly in excess of two inches leading into the final third with the burn still quite even.
Final third: With roughly two inches to go, this JD 4 shows no signs of slowing down the flavor train. Only after an hour and ten minutes have the vanilla and dark chocolate begun to fade, though they are both still faintly present at the onset of the draw. Espresso and leather have almost completely melded making for a very strong finish along with spice in tow lingering thereafter. The nasal retro-hale sees no deviation from the first two thirds, though leather and earth have become stronger quite a bit stronger, almost overpowering the ambient smoke. Surprisingly, the burn has wavered somewhat from its crisp sharp trend but remains relatively even overall with the ash holding firm about for one inch with an inch left towards the nub.
Devotion, or perhaps love of the cigar? You decide
Final thoughts: A complex cigar that shows its true colours from light to finish. With everything from brilliant floral highlights to a deep and spicy leathery finish, the JD 4 doesn’t disappoint and proves to be yet another stellar cigar in the Liga Privada line up. I have no information as to the price point of this cigar as it is still pre-release, though I can tell you that I will DEFINITELY be searching out more of these as soon as they are available - Liga whores everywhere will rejoice
Total smoking time was roughly an hour and a half.
Thanks for reading.
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