Liga Privada No. 9
 

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)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6...fdbc5550_z.jpg

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

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Nice review Brian. These are yummy!! :dr :dr

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Love these sticks!!! Great review brother thanks for sharing :tu

:dr:dr:dr

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review, I am a huge fan as well. I have smoked a couple, one ROTT was good and one with a couple years on it was AMAZING!

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

I've got two of these waiting for me back stateside...can't wait!!!

D

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review Brian and sounds like your sinuses are just fine, lots of description there. I have one resting in the humi, haven't had one yet

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Thanks. A day or two earlier and I wouldn't have been able to smoke it at all. I seemed to be able to taste it well enough though.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Nice review. These are one of my favorite sticks.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review! One of my favorites.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

I'm having my second one and I think this is now my favorite cigar.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review. I think I'm going to have to try the one I have later this week.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

I love this stick! Out of my price range, but when I got to try one, it was a great experience!

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Me too... I'd love to be able to get a box and put it up for a year. I've got one in the humi. Late at night I swear I can hear it calling...

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

I just bought a box. The challenge now will be to ration them.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Perhaps I should hold on to them for you. :D

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review! Looking forward to eventually getting my hands on a couple of these..especially after reading that!

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review. I have one that sitting in the humi. Just reading this makes me want to fire it up tonight.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

I've been fortunate to smoke some fine cigars in the last few months; the LP9 is right up there with the best. What a great smoke.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Although I prefer the 52 over the 9's, these are simply delicious! You would be hard pressed to find a more flavorful, and complex cigar......and the QC in regards to burn and draw are very consistent.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Nice review, I must try this soon!!

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Your review makes me think that the LP9 may be my next smoke!!! Thanks.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Thanks for the reveiw. I bought one of these 16.00$ and have it resting in the humi. I'm going camping on a couple of weeks and plan to enjoy it there.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Smoked another today thanks to Manny; splendiferous!

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

One of the better smokes I've had recently. I definately need to pick up a few more.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

You're right... They look a lot big for a 5" cigar. UNLESS... you have really tiny hands.:D

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

I have a box now so I will measure one and see and report back.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Actually, I'm dumb. I forgot that LP has No. 9's in various sizes, and the box I purchased were the Toro's. For some reason their website doesn't list the different size options.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

So I guess you do have normal hands. :tu
I have 3 boxes, the robusto, corona doble and toro. Haven't smoked the robs yet. The other two are tops on my list, so I have high hopes for the little guy.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review. I haven't tried these but I love the under crown you have convinced me to try one. Picked up a box of feral flying pigs today for 135. What a deal!!!

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

I believe originally that was the only size available.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great deal on the FFPs. If you havent tried one yet, give the undercrown corona viva a test drive. Onolicious!!! :tu

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Yes they are that is my favorite size. Love a corona.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Good review. Thanks. These are on the top of my very long list of sticks to try

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Great review man... I got to pick me up a box of these and some FFP's

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Review's spot on. The construction of these cigars is absolutely flawless and they taste great as well. This is one of the very few DE cigars I like. :tu

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

One of my favorites. Have 2 boxes in the humi waiting for the right time to smoke. Get these when you see them as they sell out fast.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Only had one. Have to get another 2 or 3 when I get to SA next.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Thank you for the review!! It is a great cigar

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Excellent review, I haven't had a bad Liga yet and I am willing to bet that I never will. Excellent products. My Favorite: Dirty Rat

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

One of my minor claims to fame: it is my hand writing that is on the band. I helped design the band (very minor help) but it was during the time that LP9 was being blended, box and band designed, priced, etc, that I worked there. Originally it was only available in a Toro size. I liked the #7 blend it was really strong

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Well you sir, have great handwriting! I love the No. 9 label in part because of the script!

Also, I'm super jealous you got to be part of the testing phase! That would have been awesome! I had my hands on a coupe of the JD4 pre-releases, but gifted those in a troop raffle.

Re: Liga Privada No. 9
 

Gotta bump this one, I smoked one of these tonight and found the first 1/3 to be peppery and spicy with notes of earth, the second 1/3 took on a lot of coffee flavors while the pepper died down. The last 1/3 was too bitter for my tastes and it met an early extinguishing. Even at that, this is one of the better nc's Ive had and I have 4 more to enjoy. Recommended. Thanks for the review!-(P