[T.G]

Originally Posted by Mikepd

Congrats on getting yourself one of the few prerelease LP T52 Blend 3's that are floating around. From what i understand this wrapper is a Connecticut grown habano, which is primed from the bottom of the plant and then stalk cured. What did you think of it in comparison to a regular Liga Privada?

You are correct, it is a stalk-cut, American grown Habano leaf.

From some email correspondance I had with Jonathan Drew on the leaf:

The history of the Liga Privada T-52 and the "American Habano" Wrapper:

The history of the "Liga Privada T-52" begins three and a half years ago when Steve Saka joined Drew Estate. Just at that time, Nick Melillo, Steve Saka and I were heading back and forth to Brazil and Dominican Republic working with certain well known growers to obtain a wrapper that was heavy and clean that could be grown excusively for Drew Estate.

While we saw some amazing Brazillian Habano and Dominican Corojo Wrappers, we had not yet made up our minds to move forward with the purchase, as we were looking at a half million dollar investment, and wanted a certain taste profile and dark brown, rich appearance. We were, however, very impressed by both of these wrappers.

Then it happened ...

On a regular farm trip to Connecticut for the purposes of purchasing a barn of Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro with Universal Leaf Company (Lancaster Leaf), we stumbled upon a farm that was growning a very unique looking "Stalk Cut Tobacco" in addition to the Broadleaf. This American farmer (whose name I will reveal once the brand is released at the RTDA show this summer) called the wrapper leaf - "American Habano." After a few hours of inspection, we were impressed, but we tried to keep our composure, as this beautiful leaf had the exact color and thickness qualities that we had been flying all over the damn world looking for. Over and over, I kept making hand motions to Saka to stop smiling and looking so darn excited. It was difficult, cause he's just that kind of guy... Lucky for us, the farmer was complaining that this experimental tobacco would be the last year of crop unless he found a buyer who was willing to look past this one crop and make a real committment. He said that other brokers had loved the tobacco, but they didnt want to pay the high price which is required to grow it the right way.

In any event, we took a break for lunch and he treated us to a hamburger at a true American small town diner. During lunch, Saka and I could barely eat (just imagine that), with our complete attention on buring the hell out of that "American Habano" for combustion and flavor. Needless to say, we made our first purchase by the next morning and called the bank in Nicaragua preparing them for the good or bad news, depending on which side you're looking at. We spent a pretty penny...!

We were excited and nervous, cause we still had to remove all the tobacco from the barn, ship it to Nicaragua, and place it in Pilones for curing. This wrapper is no joke. Thick and oily, and dark redish brown - we had no idea where the bulk would take this stuff. Well, almost three years later it finally, finally burned. Saka still had a job (just jokin ... well), and I still had a bank. And together, we made one of the very finest investments in the history of Drew Estate. Welcome "Liga Privada T-52." Welcome "American Habano" Wrapper.

And please remember, there is more to the story - Filler and Binder - which has a story of its own yet to come ...

When Jon speaks of filler and binder and a story yet to come, he is referring to the stalk cut American Habano that will be used for filler and binder in future cigars not yet created.