Over the years, Drew Estate has built a large portfolio of tasty blends. They have a cigar for everyone's palate and seem to be in every shop across America. I've burned many of them and I can see why they've gained the following they have. Drew Estate released Liga Privada No.9 in 2005 and it would blast them into stardom. Ever since, it has been one of their most beloved offerings. It was so good that the factory workers were smoking too much of it and were told to stop! The clever employees patched a workaround and created what is known today as Undercrown. Now the world gets two great cigars! The Flying Pig vitola was first dropped in 2009 and what better blend to choose than the Liga Privada No.9.
The Deets
Cigar: Liga Privada No.9 Flying Pig
Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Size: 4 x 60
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Appearance 9/10
This oily little pig looks delicious. Just the right amount of sheen on this porker and the tail is a beefy curl. Looking down the barrel I don't see any stems and the bunching is even. The fine grit wrapper feels great to roll around. There were a couple flappy pieces of wrapper that I was able to easily pick off, but aside from those minor blemishes it's a nice looking chub.
Draw 9/10
The squeal on this one was almost perfect. A few puffs at the beginning required a stop watch, but after the 1st third it opened up just enough to be drawing on point.
Burn/Construction 7/10
There were some frowns regarding the burn line. It wanted to dance around a bit and I found myself picking up the torch too many times. No chicken legged ash and it held on, but the last drop did leave a pyramid. The burn needs improvement, but this based on one sample.
Taste 8/10
1/3 - For being a dark & hearty looking cigar it begins quietly with cool earth, dry cocoa, and clean tree bark. The retro pops out the traditional black pepper but lowkey. The finish is gentle with notes of hickory and a mild salty sensation. Grassy notes sprout during the end of the 1st third.
2/3 - The grass is now lush and upfront. Cool earth has now become warmer and bringing along a slight bitterness. Baking cocoa has taken a back seat.
3/3 - The thick grass is now accompanied by espresso and graham cracker. Cocoa transitions into dark chocolate but remains in the rear.
Overall 8.3/10
While this was certainly an enjoyable cigar, I remember liking the toro much better. I don't think the piglet carries the same complexity as it's larger vitola siblings. I also recalled a richness that seemed to be missing from this one. Regardless, the Flying Pig is a welcoming cigar that doesn't bombard the taste buds and requires a little less time to herf it. I give it fiver worthy.
**Number of cigars smoked for the review: 1