Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9
Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9 cigars started as a private label, created exclusively for the artisans at Drew Estate. Flawless in both flavor and character, folks over at Drew Estate quickly realized that this in-house blend deserved to be shared with the cigar world as soon as possible!
When the Liga Privada No.9 was finally released to the public, Cigar Aficionado awarded it #10 on their Top 25 Cigar of the Year list in 2015, where it received an impressive 94 rating as well.
Hand rolled by the master blenders over at Drew Estate, the Liga Privada No. 9 is cloaked in a dark, oily, 18-month-aged Connecticut Broadleaf Oscuro wrapper leaf. Underneath this luscious leaf is a Brazilian Mata Fina blend for the binder, and filler tobaccos that hail from Honduras and Nicaragua.
The culmination of these tobaccos leaves for a rich and boastful full-bodied smoking experience from start to finish.
One of the most sought-after Drew Estate Cigars ever created, Liga Privada No. 9 provides undeniable luxury to the seasoned cigar smokers’ palate. So, let’s dive deeper into this cigar review where we smoked the 4 x 32 “Coronets” and see what this tasty treat has to offer!
Cigar Specs
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Honduras/Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Sizes Available:
- Liga Privada No. 9 Toro (6 x 52)
- Liga Privada No. 9 Robusto (5 x 54)
- Liga Privada No. 9 Petit Corona (4.25 x 60)
- Liga Privads No. 9 Corona Doble (7 x 54)
- Liga Privada No. 9 Flying Pig (4 x 60)
- Liga Privada No. 9 Coronets (4 x 32)
- Liga Privada No. 9 Belicoso (6 x 52)
- Liga Privada No. 9 Corona Viva (6 x 46)
- Liga Privada No. 9 Short Panatela (4.50 x 40)
Cold Draw Impressions
Before lighting the 4 x 32 Liga Privada Coronet, I did a cold draw test to see what notes I could detect before I started my smoking session. A mixture of syrup, hickory, and black pepper was very prominent in my five-minute cold draw test.
I’d attribute detecting those flavor notes to the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper the Liga Privada 9 possesses.
With a Brazilian Mata Fina binder and tobacco from Nicaragua and Honduras for the filler, I’d be interested to see if any notes of sweet spice or cocoa come in to play as I make my way through each third.
First Third Impressions
Ten minutes into the first third of the Liga Privada No. 9, the syrup note I detected in the Cold Draw was extremely present and a pleasure to the palate. Another flavor note that appeared in the first third was cedar.
The balance between the syrup and cedar created a mouthwatering smoking experience through the first third. The sweetness from the syrup note made it a smooth smoking experience so far.
The cigar was burning evenly and had an effortless draw to it while I was smoking the 4 x 32 Coronet.
Second Third Impressions
As we entered the second third of the Liga Privada No. 9, The flavors have done a complete 360 in some regards.
The note of ceadar dissipated, while notes of chocolate and coffee came into play, which satisfied my sweet tooth. The syrup flavor note took a backseat to the chocolate and coffee which balances out extremely well.
In the second third, I started feeling the full-bodiedness of this smoke. As a person who’s smoked consistently over the last five years, this was a manageable cigar to smoke, but I felt the little kick from medium to full-bodied as I continued to smoke this cigar.
Final Third Impressions
As I entered the Final Third, I was not expecting the flavor notes to change as much as they did. But the more I smoke cigars, the more I realize what a big difference the second and final third might have with certain cigar brands and the tobacco provided in them.
With chocolate and coffee remaining in the final third, the syrup flavor note that was present in the first two-thirds was overthrown by sweet spice and a touch of citrus.
The combination of these four flavor notes provided me with the ultimate smoking experience. It’s no surprise when it comes to cigars under the Drew Estate portfolio.
Pairing Options
When it comes to pairing the Liga Privada No. 9, Rum, Tequilla, or Bourbon would be my go-to choices. The sweetness in flavor that’s provided in Rum, Bourbon, and Tequila is the perfect balance for a cigar like the Liga Privada No. 9 which has various flavor notes throughout the cigar.
For this review, I made a Rum and Coke pair along with the 4 x 32 Coronet size under the Liga Privada line. The soda nor the rum overpowered my palate so I was able to really enjoy the cigar without any disruption.
Final Thoughts
The Liga Privada line has nine different sizes under its portfolio. With a box of 24 ranging from $228.99. to $444.99, you’re looking to spend a pretty penny on this luxurious line. With a single cigar priced from $9.00 to $18.00 per cigar, you’re paying for the quality and excellence the Liga Privada lien provides.
Since its release, the Liga Privada has always been a treat for the consumer and a staple in humidors across the world. If you have some extra funds to treat yourself to a Liga Privada No. 9, then I suggest taking the plunge and discovering why this cigar is so universally loved and sought after.
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