Liga UnderCrown Flying Pig 2016: Weekend Review Competition

[Wilzc]

 

As with a large majority of successful 'New World' cigar releases, the hype dwindles after a few years, from favourite to forgotten. This little piggy is one of them. Released in 2012 as a 'regional' release, dubbed 'XLR' or extremely limited release, these little stubs were insanely in demand amongs't the cigar-folk. JD's team seems to have hit marketing gold! Fast forward 5-6 years after, they're releasing these fairly regularly (who am I kidding, these are now regular production and no longer really in demand) and can be had for a very very decent price if one looks hard enough.

 

For me? these are one of the old faithfuls, a reliable cigar for both personal consumption as well as to gift a fellow BOTL. The unique shape and impressive band makes for a really good stick to always have in my humidor. Haven't been stocking up on new cigars, nor have I smoked as much, therefore, for June 2018, this little piggy takes the crown.

 

Prelight:

Always a pleasure to twiddle these around the fingers, nice solid feel. Very very photograph-able cigar, with thick oil laden wrappers, some oscuro, some just regular maduro. I've gone through quite a number of these! The lighter shaded maduro ones are far tastier. Pigtail cap is removed by fingers manually to reveal some filler tobacco. Draw is slightly on the tight side but nothing too bad. Cold draw is a syrupy chocolate. The tapered head allows for the jaws to be less strained during the smoke (else there is no way I'm taking on anything over 60RG)

 

1st:

Seems to be quite a large percentage of smokers that look forward to the last 3rd (enough for Oliva to make the gimmicky NUB cigars) but for me, first few puffs are always the best! I got greeted with a truckload of cacao with some slight spices. Things then settle down to a sort of dry cacao powder, backed by some earthy and leathery notes. Retrohale is dark-wood, spice and pepper. A touch-up is required once past the tapered foot.

 

2nd:

Floral notes fleet in and out, citrusy flavours slowwwwly creep into the mix along with the dominant cacao. Kinda reminds me of those single origin 'pure' hot chocolate drinks. A really decadent mix of cacao and citrus. Strength builds up, at this point, the in-experienced smokers will feel a little woozy. This is not a complicated cigar by any means, its a direct cigar for those direct days. Footsmoke keeps pouring out like a freight train and fills the semi-outdoor terrace.

 

3rd:

Flavours get a little muddled up. Strong damp tobacco appears, and fuddles up the predominant cacao flavours. Some fruitiness joins in. Smoke output from the exhale seems to have lost its volume, even if the footsmoke is still churning. Struggling to maintain an even cherry due to thickness of the wrapper. The 60 RG flying pig gets a little bit akward to hold so I end it early, with dignity, and about an inch left of the stick.

 

Final smoking time, 80mins.

Scorecard: 90-92. Ever reliable dessert smoke. Gives the Monte PE a run for its money, with longer smoke time to boot!

 

 

 

[Wilzc]

2 hours ago, crking3 said:

I had one of these with a couple years in it recently .....started out very nuanced and delicious but faded into monotony and something entirely underwhelming quickly ....burned great tho


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hmmmm. This does seem in line with my experience. The last 3rd muddled out. First was way way better

 

[El Presidente]

I do love the shape. 

i also agree with you, the first part of the cigar is often the finest. 

[westg]

Great review ...great pics ..