Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Drew Estate revealed its latest mystery “Freestyle Live” cigar on June 8th, which turned out to be the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas. The new size for the line is the same as the regular line Papas Fritas measuring 115mm x 44 (4.5” x 44), but uses the H99 wrapper leaf.

The original Liga Privada Papas Fritas debuted over 10 years ago, as a cheaper way for fans to experience the Liga Privada brand, using smaller, leftover tobacco leaves from other existing Liga Privada cigars. Drew Estate has worked with the H99's wrapper leaf's exclusive tobacco farmer to increased its yield, year-over-year to expand the rare H99 tobacco's availability. The hybrid H99 Connecticut Corojo wrapper is hybrid of Stalk-Cut Habano and Connecticut Corojo seeds made to produce a naturally sweet tobacco. The rest of the blend uses a Mexican San Andres Otapan Negro Último Corte binder, and Nicaraguan, Honduran and Pennsylvania Green River One Sucker filler.

The Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas is available exclusively at participating Drew Diplomat Program partners. It is presented in boxes of 25 and has an MSRP of $7.50 per cigar or $187.50 per box.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Petite Corona
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Corojo
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Willy Herrera
Number of reviewers: 5 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Angel M. (Angel) Noah S. (Noah) Randy B. (randobush)
Price: $7.50
Age: 1 Month
Release Date: June 2023
Contributed by: Drew Estate

Initial Impressions – Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas

Appearance: 92

This cigar is medium to dark brown in color, with a copper toned hue. It is about 4.5”x44 rg which is great when time is not a luxury to get a smoke in. The cap has a straight pigtail, reminding me of the hairdoo's of one of the Lollipop Guild dudes in Munchkin Land, while the foot is open. Overall a solid looking little cigar.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Aroma: 94

“Musty hay and barnyard permeate the nostrils upon the sniff check.” –Randy B. (randobush)

First Third

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

“In the first third, I'm not picking up anything very dominant, mostly just an ordinary tobacco flavor, not necessarily sweet, maybe a very small amount of vanilla and an even smaller amount of leather. I do feel like I am searching for flavors rather than them coming out on their own. The smoke is a tad bit dry and a little warm in temperature.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“Caramel and cedar combine up top to start. Milk-heavy hot cocoa, oiled leather, and mixed nuts below that. I get a slight cayenne heat on the finish, and just a touch of black pepper on the retrohale. Just a few puffs in and the caramel is reminding me more of an apricot or plum sweetness. It's worth noting that the mouthfeel is one of the more slick and oily smokes I've had in a while.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Baking spices, coffee, savory paprika, come through on the transition to the second third. Retro and flavors are extremely enjoyable. Strength is strong-medium and I'm loving everything about this cigar so far. Everything!” –Randy B. (randobush)”

“Almost everything has changed upon entering the second third. The leather and mineral-rich earth have taken a backseat to camp out on the finish that has remained long and dry. Replacing them in the foreground is an interesting mix of white pepper and dried fruit, mainly apricot which contributes a subtle sweetness and tanginess. The retro continues to save the day by amplifying both the sweet and the spicy notes. This is proving to be one of those smokes that I prefer to retro on almost every puff.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Final Third

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

“The black pepper notes linger and are not as strong. Getting notes of cherry on the finish.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“Somebody brought some leather to the final third party to go with cocoa powder-tainted baking spices, coffee, paprika, and cedar. A slight hint of pepper remains. The strength now has me sweating a bit on my bald spot and under the eyes. It's not overpowering, however, on the contrary, it's very enjoyable.” –Randy B. (randobush)”

Overall Impressions – Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas – Blind Cigar Review

Draw: 98

“I took a tiny straight cut as opposed to twisting the pigtail cap. The draw has a little resistance but is leaning towards loose. It stays the same after the light-up. Excellent smoke production with little effort.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Burn: 98

“This stick burned like a champ from start to finish with a razor-thin burn line that never got wonky requiring no touchups or relights.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Construction: 96

“Despite a very small patch job near the cap, this stick was constructed well including an even pack from head to foot, slightly rough but tight seams and a long oversized pigtail cap. ” –Noah S. (Noah)

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

“A quick mid-afternoon smoke. Notes of pipe tobacco, cedar, black pepper, cherry, and leather. Black pepper notes are strong in different parts of the cigar. Perfect draw with an uneven to even burn. Veiny construction that doesn't hinder the pleasure.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“I am always looking for short smokes that provide a fully satisfying experience, and this hit that nail right on the head. While it was very consistent from start to finish, the flavor profile really grabbed me. I'd easily recommend giving these a shot for those times when you need something quick. I'll definitely try to snag some for my winter smoke selection.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Overall, there was nothing too captivating about the cigar. The flavors were pretty muted, with the dominant flavor of ordinary/generic tobacco dominating throughout the cigar. Although flavor-wise, this was not very exciting, depending on the price point, I would say because of the size and time it took to smoke this cigar, this would be a good cigar to smoke when you have a few moments to kill and want to smoke a cigar that you don't have to put much thought into. Because of the slight dryness, I would recommend definitely having something with you to drink. The light flavors, I believe would pair well with lager type beers or white wines, maybe even iced tea.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“With regards to flavors and transitions, this cigar was all over the place which left my taste buds in a state of constant bewilderment however not in the best of ways. Flavor notes had a tendency to appear and disappear with a certain randomness which led me to think about what I was experiencing way more than I typically like to when enjoying a good cigar. On a positive note, the smoke was incredibly smooth throughout but that just wasn't enough to make up for the areas where it lacked balance and flavor profiles that complement one another. The second third was certainly the highlight for me when all of the flavors seemed to work together the best albeit for a short period of time. When reviewing a cigar I drink nothing but water to ensure that I am experiencing just the cigar and the cigar alone. I would be interested to pair this smoke with an alternate beverage to see if some contrast would by chance liven it up a bit.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar from start to finish. It absolutely performed on every level.
The appearance, the cold draw, the draw, the burn, the construction, the deliciously long finish, the wonderfully transitional retrohale, and the overall performance. I would buy this cigar in a minute. Perfect for an enjoyable half-hour smoke.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 41

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Papas Fritas – Blind Cigar Review