Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

[Note: As with all Preproduction cigar previews, this one will be a list of information about the upcoming cigar and general impressions from smoking it. There will be no final rating given, as I believe it is not equitable to rate a cigar that has not yet been finalized and released to the public. Having said that, initial general impressions are almost always accurate.]

When I heard that Drew Estates was releasing a new size in the Liga Privada #9 blend (which I reviewed here) called the "Flying Pig", I honestly thought it was a joke.

However, I have to admit that the name sticks, and the unique shape and look of the cigar does not hurt any either.

For those of you who may not be aware, when Jonathan Drew took over the Drew Estates brand, it was best known for it's "infused" cigars...the Liga Privada #9 (which translates to "Private Blend #9") was originally created just for Steve Saka (Drew Estate President), much like Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars and the Black Label...

The Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig" is a limited edition vitolas for 2009 as thy are very time consuming to make ( the average production per pair is 125 p/day)...Steve Saka picked the shape from a photograph of an 1895 cigar salesman's size-selection case. It is a fairly fat perfecto shape (4" x 60)that has not been in production since the 1930's. Only 2,000 boxes of 12 each (that would be 24,000 total cigars) have been produced, and the MSRP will be $12 each and they should be in stores next month...It also has a bit more ligero and is stronger than the usual Liga Privada #9 (which I can attest to)...

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace....ingPig_01a.jpg

First, the little pigtail on top kicks A**...great looking stick, thicker then I expected (what I would call a "Stout" stick), and is quite a bit more oily then the regular #9...The wrapper is also quite a bit darker, more of a dark espresso bean color...

One of the most amazing things about this stick was the the draw was PERFECT the entire way through...usually, in a cigar this size and shape, the draw can be, shall we say, problematic...but they nailed with this one...I was VERY impressed...

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace....ingPig_02a.jpg

Taste wise, this cigar was similar to the Regular #9, but amped up, almost like it was on steroids...Flavors were Dark Chocolate, leather (especially in the last third) a great woodsy cedar and a wonderful Spice that really kept the stick interesting for the entire smoke...it never got bitter, not even at the nub...

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace....ingPig_03a.jpg

Another interesting aspect to this cigar was that the smoke coming off the cigar while being torched was some of the most peppery I have ever smelled...A very different smell then most smoke, for sure...

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace....ingPig_04a.jpg

The Bottom Line: Assuming that nothing changes between this stick and the final production (and there is no reason to think that anything will) if you can find one (or more) of these cigars, I suggest you buy them, at the very least to try. The price is great for what you get, a spicy yet complex bomb of flavor that is never overwhelming, and it is a great stick to look at as well...

~brooks

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Thanks fot the review, it looks like a good cigar to try.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Thanks for the review...and great pics!

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Yep, I officially want one! :D

At what outlets will these be sold?

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

not quite the original flying pig vitola, but looks nice either way. thanks for the review :tu

stearns

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

:dr :dr Thanks for the great review! :tu

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

out-freaking-standing pics!

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Thanks for the great review and pics. Another stick to add to my wish list. :tu

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Thanks for the review and pics....

Looks like a tasty smoke :tu

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Wow, that's a review! Great pics too. I can't wait to get my hands on some.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Very nice review and great pics. I have a few of the orignals resting. I cant wait to try this one too.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

He should have called it a nub, I wonder if he used the sweet spot of the leaf... Very nice pics...

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

love the LP #9. Gotta try this one too.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

awesome! Thank you for the pics and review.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

very cool smoke! I might have to ask my neighborhood tobacconist if he's getting any of these. been looking for an excuse to try this brand.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Big fan of the #9 so this is on my LIST!! :dr:dr

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Definatly going to have to try this one. :dr:dr:dr

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

I am on the hunt for these. I love LP #9

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

anyone know where these are cant find them. My local says they are to get them, but nothing yet.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

This will be a 'must try' cigar.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Thanks for the great review. Now time to search and get in line to snag some.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Have to go to a release event to get them right now.

Should be out for general consumption soon - as general as you can get with 2000 boxes of 12 that is...

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

friggin fail again I am sure. :( Well maybe I will score some singles

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Pete Johnson must be giving marketing seminars :r

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

As always, excellent pictures!

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

:r:r:r

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Great review, as always, Brooks!

Man, this cigar not only looks amazing, but it sounds like it tastes amazing too! I'd love to try one if I can find it.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

What is the invoice on these boxes going to be? $55.00; Think I'll pass on this short stub; better off lighting $12 in cash if you laying down at msrp, HA. Coming from a company where there top selling products are acids; who' know what type of chemicals they are adding to the tobacco for this cigar to give them the 'correct' profile.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Honestly, I would try one before you diss it.

~brooks

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

I'd also like to add that while YOU don't smoke ACIDs, many people do....after all, it's the best selling brand out there right now. I don't smoke them either, but the Liga is NOT an infused smoke....neither with chemicals, which they don't use, or the essential oils and botanicals that the ACIDs are infused with. As someone else said, you shouldn't diss something you don't know anything about.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Surely you can't be serious?

// I guess ignorance truly is bliss.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Wigwam
Maybe go smoke a regular liga privada and get back to us after realizing your error. They are good sticks. No one is questing them that I have seen. You are the first.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

been there, done it. It's decent; but that good i'd go an buy boxes or hunt for this little turd looking stick? nope.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

So you have never tried the Flying Pig, but assume that you can pass judgment on it, just because of how it looks?

~brooks

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Seems as though he's tried a regular Liga ("been there, done that"), but still thinks there are chemicals in it.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Well I guess thats more for me. :banger

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Very nice.. Any Liga Privada is on my must try list.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Hey Brooks, when you say it's like the LP#9 but amped-up, do you mean amount of flavor or strength? Would you say it's as sweet as the regular #9s?

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

lol, Wiggy, Wiggy. I'd actually suggest you retry it, and make it the FIRST cigar of the day (not the 12th, lol). I think you'll at least admit it's good, even if you don't love it. I think they are like a cross between an El Triunfador and a PAM.

As far as "turd looking," I thought they actually look like breakfast sausages ... which makes me hungry!

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

I don't think we should be hating on people for not wanting to smoke these as much as we shouldn't be hating on people who smoke them... For me I won't try them; 12$ seems high, Drew "Pimp Stick" Estates makes them (and that's enough for me) and the vitola seems strange for a cigar that isn't universally proclaimed as stellar...

In any event the review and pictures are well done...

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

I know a lot of people don't like Drew's stuff, but I think some of the Naturals are good (Root, Jucy Lucy) and the Chateau Real is a decent mild stick.

But the Liga Privada No. 9 is a country unto itself. Up there with the true masters.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

:tpd::tpd:

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

I dropped $11.25 on one yesterday and was very disappointed. Perhaps my pig was a H1N1 carrier.

I have enjoyed all of the Liga Privada No.9 cigars I have smoked. The flying pig had similar flavors but severly muted versions. Think of smoking a LP9 while you have a horrible sinus infection (or perhaps the swine flu?); there you have my pig experience. The cigar was firm and burnt well. Draw was poor through the tapered foot but it opened up once it was a parejo.

My verdict; not worth giving another shot unless it was half the price. :2

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

I would have agreed with you on this, untill I tried a Liga Privada. I can only say "try it, just once, and see if you'll change your mind". I liked the Liga Privada a lot, even though it is made by Drew Estate.

Re: Liga Privada #9 "Flying Pig"
 

Excellent Review! I've been a big fan of the Liga Privada series from Drew Estate. This looks like it will be a good cigar.