Drew Estate Liga Privada 10 Aniversario Selección de Mercado – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Drew Estate recently unveiled the “Liga Privada 10 Selección de Mercado,” targeting international aficionados, first showcased at the Intertabac Show in Dortmund, Germany. This singular release, a 6 x 52 Toro, emphasizes a Connecticut Criollo wrapper, grown exclusively for Drew Estate in the Connecticut River Valley, to accentuate its bold traits. This initiative, according to Drew Estate, marks their inaugural global release, aiming to present a unique Liga Privada experience that diverges from their traditionally robust offerings.

Jonathan Drew, the company's founder, notes the blend's distinctive appeal, suggesting it offers a smoking experience unexpected from non-Cuban cigars. The Selección de Mercado combines a rosado wrapper with a Mexican binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania, crafted by the skilled hands behind the Liga Privada 10 Aniversario. It's presented in 10-count boxes, and pricing is set at an MSRP of $25.83 per cigar.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Criollo
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Willy Herrera
Number of reviewers: 5 – John A. (Bostoneo) Randy B. (randobush) Quinn (quinnpins269) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Alan (Eulogy)
Price: $25.83
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: August 2023
Contributed by: Blind Man's Puff

Initial Impressions – Drew Estate Liga Privada 10 Aniversario Selección de Mercado

Appearance: 92

“The beautiful espresso brown wrapper had a noticeable amount of veins which hid the seems nicely. The closed foot accompanied by the fan tail cap gave this cigar a very nice first impression.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Aroma: 92

“The closed foot makes it hard to pick up much with maybe a mild amount of tobacco. The pre-draw is restricted but I can pick up some baking spice, stone fruit, and mild pepper.” –Alan (Eulogy)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Right out the gate the earthy and black pepper profile was front and center. I did not feel that it was over the top at anytime. I did start to get a bit more of a bitterness similar to a dark chocolate towards the end of the first third. At this point the draw had been great, producing a bountiful amount of smoke with each puff.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“The draw isn't bad at all, but it is taking two or three pulls to get the desired amount of smoke… Not an inconvenience, and the retrohale is nice and hearty! Creamy baking spices, coffee, smoked paprika, salt. Full body, fairly good strength, nice long finish.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The second third starts off with a much-needed touch-up from a lagging burn on one side of the cigar. Familiar toasted cream with a bit more pepper and grassy leather provide a solid medium bodied profile. As the cigar continues to develop, cherry lollipop sweetness comes into play with the finish, providing a unique, short lived, experience.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“The middle portion of this cigar is much the same as the beginning however the black pepper is beginning to fade a bit. I'm a big fan of black pepper so I don't like seeing it go. Coming into the profile now there is lots of earth and leather in the background of the cigar which is very enjoyable. Through the nose there is some spice but nothing excessive.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The final third comes in with a bit bolder medium profile. Mineral flavors are accented by woodsy black pepper with a slightly charred finish. Finishing off this third, creamy peppery notes rule the roost. On a good note, this cigar did not sour at all towards the end, making it a nubbable smoke!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“While the pepper continued to be present on the retrohale, the profile began to shift in the final third. The sweetness of the dark chocolate had all but faded. I began to get a good amount of a charred oak with some baking spice sprinkled in on every few puffs.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Overall Impressions – Drew Estate Liga Privada 10 Aniversario Selección de Mercado

Draw: 94

“No issues at all with the draw. I chose to take a very thin cut and was rewarded with slight resistance and tons of smoke…” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 85

“The wrapper went a little wonky but not bad going into the second third which required a quick touchup. Other than that, it was groovy.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Construction: 93

“Very solid construction on this cigar. I didn't encounter any issues during the review.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

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

“Overall, this was a fairly decent cigar. If the price is right, I'd consider adding this to an affordable lineup of regular smokes for myself. A consistent, but interesting, creamy, grassy, and slightly peppery cigar, in one form or another, provided a tasty medium bodied cigar that was a slow burner, kept cool, and had a decent burn. With only a touch up to a slow burning portion of the wrapper, this would be an easy recommendation to try to see if it fits your likings.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“I really enjoyed the cigar from the onset, even before I lit it. The aesthetic pleasantry of the Cigar itself was fun, but the overall experience was a delight. It's a very hearty cigar full-bodied smoke, with a good amount of strength, which seemed to dissipate slightly in the final third, however the first 2/3 made me sweat a bit. The Retrohale was notable and deserves mention. The transitions and flavors were nice while sticking to the core of the original flavors. I would recommend the cigar and smoke it again.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“The cigar checked all the boxes for me. Construction was great, never needed a touchup or relight. I really enjoyed the profile throughout with the hints of dark chocolate and oak. It rounded out really well with the black pepper.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“The appearance was stunning and the flavors profound…I can only imagine this would have been a legendary cigar if it had only stayed lit. I absolutely want to try another one of these to prove mine was a performance dud!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“I feel sick after smoking this. The notes of green grass and ammonia were awful. It burned out of control and I eventually gave up doing touch-ups to save the gas in my lighter. I liked the look of the pigtail cap and shaggy foot but the positives end there. Not of me.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 74

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Drew Estate Liga Privada 10 Aniversario Selección de Mercado – Blind Cigar Review