Liga Privada #9 review

Today I will be reviewing Drew Estates amazing

Liga Privada #9

If this is your first time here, my reviews rate each cigar on 10 factors and each factor gets a rating out of 10 giving me an overall out of 100. The 10 factors are: Construction, Draw, Burn, Flavour, 1/3 overall, 2/3 overall, 3/3 overall, Journey (how well it flows), Value for money and Overall Enjoyment.

let’s take a look at how this stick is put together. Brand Drew Estate

Size Corona Viva 6"x64

Origin Nicaragua

Wrapper Connecticut Broadleaf #1 Darks

Binder Brazilian Mata Fina

Filler Select Honduran and Nicaraguan Cuban Seed -- Liga Privada translates to Private Blend and the Liga Privada #9 is exactly that. Originally created as a 'not for sale' stick by the then Drew Estate president, Mr Steve Saka. As you may know, Steve since moved on from DE and formed his own brand, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust where he continues to blend outstanding cigars. The 'Liga 9' as it is commonly called, contains seven different tobaccos from seven different plantation blocks and the wrapper is hand fermented for 18+ months. Once rolled the cigar is aged for a further 12 months before release. What makes this line even more special is that its not just made by anyone in the DE factory, there are only 4 pairs certified to roll them and each pair are limited to crafting a maximum of 250 sticks per day, ensuring that they take their time and make them perfect! -- A little about the wrapper itself, Connecticut Broadleaf is grown in the open sunlight, mostly in the Connecticut River Valley. it grows as a short, bushy plant with very wide leaves, hence the name, and being grown fully exposed to the sun causes the leaf to grow thick and full of sugars. After curing they get very dark so it is among the prized wrapper leaves used to make many maduro cigars. The plants are stalk cut meaning the entire plant harvested at one time. -- Those that know me know that I am a huge fan of Steves blends and having smoked a number of Liga 9's before I know that this is no exception to that. That said, this is the first time I have had this Vitola so it will be interesting to see how it translates. Right lets get into it! Construction 10/10

Burn 10/10

Draw 10/10

Flavour 9/10

Complexity 9/10

Strength 90%

First 1/3 9/10

Second 1/3 10/10

Third 1/3 10/10 Construction & Burn As you would expect, given the control methods in-place to ensure a top quality construction, this stick has a flawless construction and burn. The ash is nice and tight with a light and consistent colour. Flavour & Complexity All of the good things! Coffee, cocoa, nuts, pepper make up the majority of the flavours. There is a huge amount of complexity and a noticeable depth from the aging and fermentation time. Strength Being blended for Steve Saka the Liga Privada #9 is a full strength cigar with some serious punch. That said the ageing mellows it a little and allows that great complexity to come through. Overall Every time I have one of these I am reminded how amazing they are! This is the first time I have actually reviewed one so I was interested to see where it would fall on paper, but unsurprisingly it smashed it out of the park. I give this cigar 96 points, one of my highest rated cigars ever. Get hold of some of these here.