Even though my sinus aren't fully recovered from a recent bout of allergies over the past few days, I couldn't wait to smoke my first Liga Privada No. 9. Even though this may have muted some of the flavor, I still enjoyed the cigar very much.
Name: Liga Privada No. 9 Robusto Oscuro
Size: 5 x 52 (Seemed longer to me, but this is according to Drew Estate and I didn't measure).
Country: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras and Nicaragua cuban seed
Binder: Brazilian
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Dark
Price: $11.99 (Gilbert, AZ)
Construction
This cigar is beautiful. It's so well constructed it's almost hard to believe it's hand rolled. The cigar is very firm throughout with no soft spots. The wrapper is beautifully smooth, dark and oily with no large veins. It has a perfectly rounded double cap. Again, it's almost hard to believe it's hand made it's so symmetrical. The band is expertly attached and perfectly square.
Pre-light
The foot has a very earthy and almost floral smell to it. Planting flowers in rich soil was the first thing that came to mind. The pre-light draw is perfect and taste earthy tobacco with some very slight notes of grass. The wrapper imparts a nice sweetness.
First Third
After about the first 1/4" the cigar starts to settle and I start to taste earth with slight grass laced with a little bit of black pepper. The smoke is both medium in body and strength and the draw is absolutely perfect. It's incredibly smooth. Also, I don't usually notice the aroma coming from a cigar, but this time I did. I can't really describe it other than being somewhat sweet smelling and very pleasant.
The burn was razor sharp with a very white ash and almost no flaking. It held for about 1.5" before I decided to roll it off into the ashtray.
Second Third
The cigar is really starting to build some character now. Earth is still the dominant flavor, while the grass has changed into more of a subtle wood flavor. I've also started to detect coffee with sweet cream, but in varying degrees and not on every draw, which I find interesting. I continue to get slight pepper that lingers at the back of my tongue and throat long after exhale. The body is now more medium-full, while the strength has stayed at medium. The burn and ash have both continued to be perfect. One thing I've noticed is that it doesn't give off massive amounts of smoke at the tip like the Undercrown. I assume this has to do with differences in construction.
Final Third
The flavors are becoming much more pronounced and I'm really, really enjoying the cigar at this point. The earthiness is still present, but now coffee with cream is starting to dominate. The smoke also has a sweetness about it that I can't quite pinpoint. It's almost like a buttery caramel flavor. The pepper is no longer detectable. The smoke is still medium-full in body and very smooth and creamy. The strength is starting to build, which is to be expected this far into a cigar. The burn is the best I've ever seen in all of the cigars I've smoked. The ash line has maintained a perfect 90 degree angle around the entire circumference of the cigar. Impressive.
Conclusion
This cigar is exquisite. The blend and construction really demonstrates great attention to detail and expert craftsmanship by Drew Estate. I can understand why it's prized by so many, which I'm sure is why they sell out so fast at my local B&M. I look forward to smoking more in the future, as well as others from the Liga Privada line. It made for a great after-dinner treat!
Score
9/10