Blind Cigar Review: Drew Estate | Liga Privada 10 – Year Aniversario Toro

Cigar Info

Just before IPCPR last year, Drew Estate announced an extension to their Liga Privada line, the Liga Privada 10 – Year Aniversario. This blend celebrates the 10 year anniversary of Drew Estate selling the first Liga Privada No. 9. The samples and pictures form this review were from IPCPR and are pre-release so the bands are different from the final artwork.

The blend uses a Criollo wrapper, San Andres Otapan Negro Último Corte binder and Nicaraguan and Honduran tripa leaf. The Liga Privada 10 – Year Aniversario comes in boxes of 10 that sell for $179.00 per box. It comes in one vitola, a toro, 152mm (6″) x 52 with a unique Cola de Pescado head, and Pies Tapado foot. The production is limited to 10,000 cigars or (1,000 boxes) of the toro. The company said in future years, we will see Robusto, Corona Doble, and Torpedo sizes. Since its release, it and the H99 have been a part of a strange release strategy where 10 stores at a time are allowed to release it in a lottery system that is announced once a week. Neither are widely available.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Criollo
Binder: San Andrés Otapan Negro Último Corte
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Willy Herrera, Jonathan Drew
Number of reviewers: 4 – John I. (John I.) Daniel S. (Daniel S.) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Diana (ArmyRN)
Price: $17.90
Age: 12 Months
Release Date: July 2018
Contributed by: Drew Estate

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“The cigar was a sharp looking maduro toro. It looked perfectly rolled and felt nice and heavy in my hand. The wrapper was toothy which helped add to the beefy look of the cigar. ” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

Aroma: 88

“The aroma on this sample is sweet and very floral. At the foot there is a hint of allspice.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“At first light I got a strong black pepper flavor that was harsh at first but mellowed out after sometime. I got some chocolate flavors with a little sweetness on the finish. The retrohale is sweet, with a hint of chocolate. Also getting a lot of smoke from the cigar.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

“Right off the bat this cigar started off with a full flavor bouquet of spicy black pepper and earthy leather. Through the nose the smoke was spicy enough to bring tears to my eyes but vanished so quickly that I didn’t hesitate to retro on every puff. Before long the black pepper faded and the deep flavors of earth and leather become more prominent.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The second portion had remained much the same as the ending of the first with the predominate flavors being earth and leather. The smoke is soft on the palate and the flavors fade quickly leaving my palate fresh and ready for the next puff. The nicotine is significant at this point and I’m definitely feeling it.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“There hasn’t been much change or progression for me so far. The cigar continues to have wood notes mixed with mild nuttiness. I have noticed that it is a fairly smooth and creamy smoke and the hints of red pepper I experienced in the first third don’t seem to be there very much now. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Picking up some slightly waxy notes that aren’t terribly welcome, but overall this continues to be extremely enjoyable. Probably shouldn’t have fired it up on an empty stomach. It’s edging toward full bodied, particularly here at the finish. Sweetness has almost fully taken a back seat to dark roasted coffee and earthy tones. ” –John I. (John I.)

“The final portion has the strength lessening a bit but the flavors remain deep and rich. There hasn’t been much change relative to flavor but what I’m getting is quite good so I don’t mind.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 93

“Draw was good with perfect amount of resistance.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

Burn: 91

“A really superior burn on this smoke. No corrections needed.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 93

“There were no visible construction issues with this cigar. Except for the aforementioned tight draw at one point in the second third, the cigar held well with no cracks or lifts of the wrapper. The cap held well in spite of the pinched areas where it was applied to the cigar.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 91

“Aside from a few odd waxy notes toward the end, I adored this cigar. Nice bright sweet peppery flavors starting out, transitioning really sensibly to rich roasted notes of goodness from the mid point to the finish. The fact that the construction here was nearly perfect is icing on the cake. Need many, many more of these. ” –John I. (John I.)

“This cigar definitely had its high notes but had more low ones. The flavors were mostly harsh and bitter. No transitions and eventually I just got bored with the cigar. ” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)

“This was a really nice practically full bodied cigar with rich flavors and enough nicotine to show you who’s boss… That being said, the flavors were not something to destroy my palate and the finish was short enough that I could have smoked another cigar and still been able to enjoy it. I’m ready to purchase a few of these to keep on hand.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“I enjoyed this cigar but would have preferred a cigar that progressed more. It was pleasant in spite of that. I also would have preferred a smaller vitola as I tend to get tired of a cigar that is larger but doesn’t give me the flavor progressions and complexity that I really like. I’d smoke it again but it isn’t a go to cigar for me.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 92

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Drew Estate | Liga Privada 10 – Year Aniversario Toro

Overall Score – 91 – Very Good