Drew Estates' Liga Privada Unico Serie UF-4 Review

Cigar: Liga Privada Unico Serie “UF-4”
Size: 6 x 52
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Wrapper: Connecticut Valley Stalk Cut and Cured Sun Grown Habano
Price: $13 each
Individual Weight: 16.77g
Press Release: “Stronger than the T-52, as it has more Ligero leaf within than the T-52” – Top Quality Cigars

Pre-Light: This is a cigar that I’ve wanted to try since first hearing about it last year. Knowing what little information is out about the Liga Privada UF-4 is what is driving my need to smoke this one. Originally dubbed the JD-4, after Jonathan Drew, the UF-4 features extra leafs of Ligero amping up the flavor, strength, and body of this Drew Estate offering. Coming only in a Toro size, the UF-4 we received for review is absolutely flawless in construction. The wrapper is as oily as I’ve ever seen, with the only being being extremely minimal in size. The triple-cap head is evenly applied, and the foot shows dense folds of tobacco tucked inside a plantation-grown Brazilian Mata Fina binder. A pre-light draw presents sweet flavors, starchy in nature similar to the taste of a raw potato, with a bit of sugar on it. Tobacco flavors then come through the back of the sinuses to remind you that it’s a cigar, not food you’re tasting.

1/3rd: I’m instantly inundated with unforeseen spice in the back of the throat. There hasn’t been a cigar I’ve smoked in recent memory that instantly peppers my tongue with flakes of cayenne pepper quite as much as the first few puffs off this UF-4 has. The spice lingers for about 15 seconds before being washed away by a wave of cedar that seems to be crested in leather. Big flavors on this bad boy, that’s for sure. Heavy leather taste starts overtaking the spice as the cherry gets up to temp an inch into the cigar. Dabs of dry cocoa pop out, but are quickly overtaken by the cedar notes that seem to linger on the palette for minutes after puffing. As I near the final bit of the first third, the cedar notes change and develop a bit into a more hickory flavor, as it starts to pepper the sinus a bit with a very dry woodiness.

½ Way: A bit of dark chocolate greets me at the halfway point, draped in the Liga’s usual wooded cape, begging to be tasted. The oils seem to be rolling from the cherry on the wrapper, drenching the bit of tobacco to be burned next in a wash of terpines and flavinoids. The woodiness continues to dominate the majority of the second third of the UF-4, with minor changes in background and finish flavors. Near the end of the second third, I notice a slight hint of marshmallow flavor, but not its sweetness. Earthy notes also come into the fold here nearing the beginning of the final bit of cigar. Mineral notes and a slight clayishness seem to intensify an already amazing set of flavors.

Final 3rd: Just after removing the band, I start to feel the effects of that extra Ligero leaf. Beads of sweat start to build on my brow and nose, and my eyes start to get a bit droopier than normal. The strength on this cigar is what I would call full, with the body being extra-full. The smoke itself is lighter in nature than other cigars offer, but the sheer volume of smoke that this cigar puts off keeps this UF-4 on par with the strongest cigars in the market. The flavors are extremely sharp and in your face with this stick, with it having all the character of the L40 Lancero, but with extra boldness and spice added to up the ante. The smoke has become thick and almost meaty in texture by this point. I’m finding myself struggling to finish this cigar due to the sheer strength of it keeping me from picking arms up to grab it from the desk.

Final Thoughts: The Liga Privada UF-4 seemed to burn for hours on end. I can’t exactly remember when I sparked this one, but I know it was over two hours ago. The flavors of the UF-4 are extremely lucid and bold, keeping the smoker interested throughout the cigar. The aromas are also just as nuanced and tactile, as people in the room with me mention how good this cigar smells. Having experienced just one of these cigars so far, I can say without a doubt that if you are planning on smoking one of these UF-4s, you definitely want to eat a full lunch or dinner prior to lighting one up. The nicotine in this cigar is no joke, and with the flavors lingering on the palette nearly as long as the nicotine keeps you sedated, you will probably want to keep a glass of cold water nearby as well (along with a sugar packet or two). Just when I thought that the Liga Privada line couldn’t get much bolder, they hit me with this, the most powerful Liga Privada to date, the UF-4.


A+ is the final grade.



Click this link to see the photography

[dave]

Apppreciate the thorough, thoughtful review. Thanks.

But the tag line about witholding your grade from us unless we go to your blog? Not so much. IMHO

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

Want the final grade and the high resolution photography? Click here

What is up with this???

Originally Posted by dave

Apppreciate the thorough, thoughtful review. Thanks.

But the tag line about witholding your grade from us unless we go to your blog? Not so much. IMHO

You have my opinion on the stick. If you want the final grade, click. If you don't, then don't. Easy as pie.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

You have my opinion on the stick. If you want the final grade, click. If you don't, then don't. Easy as pie.

Unfortunately, that is not in compliance with our rules.

I am not a fan of those that thumb their nose at our rules.

Let me edit my post and I'll fix it. Easy as pie.

Originally Posted by pnoon

Unfortunately, that is not in compliance with our rules.

I am not a fan of those that thumb their nose at our rules.

And I'm assuming you'll be telling dan reeve the same? And the others that do the same?

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

And I'm assuming you'll be telling dan reeve the same? And the others that do the same?

Don't act like a 12 year old. We will deal with issues as they crop up.

You have been reminded of the rules. Abide by them please.

So, please help me understand how I can go back and edit my review, and I'll get it done.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

So, please help me understand how I can go back and edit my review, and I'll get it done.

The time allowed to edit your post has expired. Post here or PM me and I will edit the original post for you.

Originally Posted by pnoon

Don't act like a 12 year old. We will deal with issues as they crop up.

You have been reminded of the rules. Abide by them please.

How is making sure a person isn't being singled out acting like a 12 year old?

When I decided to simulcast my reviews on this site, I went and looked at how other do it, and followed suit. If there are rules that I'm not aware of, please refer me to the list and I'll make sure they are followed.

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

And I'm assuming you'll be telling dan reeve the same? And the others that do the same?

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

How is making sure a person isn't being singled out acting like a 12 year old?

When I decided to simulcast my reviews on this site, I went and looked at how other do it, and followed suit. If there are rules that I'm not aware of, please refer me to the list and I'll make sure they are followed.

We conveniently hide the rules at the top of each forum.
http://67.222.135.200/vb/announcement.php?f=13

Originally Posted by pnoon

We conveniently hide the rules at the top of each forum.
http://67.222.135.200/vb/announcement.php?f=13

So, keeping a single letter (literally) out of the review is what we are talking about here?

Fine.

A+ is the final grade. There, now we are in compliance and you have nothing to worry about per your rules.


Problem fixed!

I'll make sure in the future that reviews such as this are in full compliance with your site.


As for the hyperlink, Pnoon, will you please change it to read "Click this link to see the photography".

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

So, keeping a single letter (literally) out of the review is what we are talking about here?

Fine.

A+ is the final grade. There, now we are in compliance and you have nothing to worry about per your rules.


Problem fixed!

I'll make sure in the future that reviews such as this are in full compliance with your site.


As for the hyperlink, Pnoon, will you please change it to read "Click this link to see the photography".

Actually, what we are talking about is bloggers using CA to essentially redirect traffic to their site. In this case, literally one letter. Philosophically, a whole lot more.

As a result of this, I will also be discussing with the rest of the ToE the use of links in individual threads. The rules allow you to have a link to your blog in your sig line. Don't be surprised if the rules change.

[pnoon]

Posted here for those that haven't seen or can't find the rules.

You are welcome and we invite you to post your original reviews and articles on Cigar Asylum; however, if you do so, you must post the text in its entirety. Any threads or posts consisting of teaser or incomplete text and a link to your site are subject to deletion. You are welcome to have a link in your signature to your site; as a matter of courtesy, if you do so, we'd appreciate (but won't require) a link back to Cigar Asylum as well.

We didn't want to have to add this to the forum rules, but due to the continued and increasing frequency of bloggers and other site owners using Cigar Asylum as nothing more than a vehicle to drive traffic to their sites without contributing anything to the membership here, what has been more or less an unwritten rule on internet forums for a long time must now be codified here.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

[dave]

Interesting. I had no idea it was actually a rule. Well written, TOE.

I just thought OP was of questionable taste. Goes to show that taste (and common sense?) are subjective, I guess.

[LasciviousXXX]

Originally Posted by dave

Interesting. I had no idea it was actually a rule. Well written, TOE.

Well, before it was just considered common decency. However, we had to write it down as a hard & fast rule after an influx of people started using CA in a manner that was less than considerate.

Great writeup.

Originally Posted by pnoon

Don't act like a 12 year old. We will deal with issues as they crop up.

You have been reminded of the rules. Abide by them please.

Daaaaah duh, Daaaaaaaah Duh (Jaws music getting louder in the background!)


On another note, great review sir. Super Detailed.