Dog Rocket non-cuban and planting the devil's lettuce (Liga Privada No. 9) 2018 (DRRW)

[benfica_77]

So this weekend in Canada typically is when Canadians either head to their cottage drink copious amount of water-downed crappy beer or stay at home and do gardening since the weather is finally warm enough. I live in an apartment so my gardening is limited on my balcony. Last year I grew some devil's lettuce since it's legal here in Canada, in my province you're allowed to grow up to 4 plants. What's funny about that is that they don't restrict the size of the plant....if you have ever seen an outdoor grow in california these plants can grow up to size of trees! 

So while I did my gardening I rummaged through my singles tupperdore and found one of the remaining non-cubans that I haven been avoiding. It was a Liga-Privada number 9 by Drew Estate.Years ago this cigar was revered as a Tier 1 non cuban maybe not in the same level as an Opus X or top end Padron but definitely up there. This cigar really put Drew Estate cigars on the map. The Cigar is made of Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and Brazilian Mata Fina binder. The one I smoked was the Robusto which is 5 inches and 54 ring gauge. 

Here's a little bit of the background of the cigar from Steve Saka who use to be president of Drew Estate has now left and created his own cigar company Dunbarton Cigar Company and Drew Estate was purchase by Swisher International.

....."Liga Privada No. 9 is the product of a cigar blend we started working on during the summer of 2005. The basic goal was to simply have the factory make -ME- a cigar I would like to smoke and would feel confident in handing out to my industry compadres. Kind of embarassing being the prez of a cigar company that doesn’t make any cigars you really like…

Anyhow, this became a very big project that started off disasterously, but began to shape up by the spring of 2006. Jonathan, Nicholas (Our Nica Director of Tobacco & Cigars) and myself developed well over 50+ blends in the process to find the perfect daily for me – the result is a 7 differrent vega blend with stalk cut No. 1 dark broadelaf capa that has been traditionally fermented. It is not a powerhouse, but strong enough to satisfy, very complex and lush – a combo of fuerte y suave.

Basically this cigar became the cigar that Jon, Nick and me smoke endlessly. I smoke 3 a day at least. Over the last year or so, we have probably gone through some 6,000 or so between our own consumption and sharing with others."

Sadly this iconic non-cuban has suffered from quality dilution since being mass produced. The first couple years the no.9 was a great cigar and now it's a dud. This one I smoked confirms this....

Smoking notes 

Pre-smoke draw - notes of earth and dark chocolate

Smoking notes - The entire cigar was one dimensional providing earth, earth and more earth. No transitions and became quite bland after the first third. 

Around the half way marker it began becoming giving those wretched metallic notes and became very acrid. Disappointing as was the vast majority of my non cuban experiences before switching to only to smoking cubans. 

I couldn't finish the cigar since the taste was just bitter and not enjoyable. It got a 75 out of 100 only because it had an excellent construction, smoke output and perfect burn line. It's like you meet a girl, she's got a great job, wonderful personality but has the face of Ronaldinho....No bueno. 

The next day I smoked a RyJ Wide Churchill ABO SEP 17 (PSP) from a 24:24 6 pack. Wonderful smoke, well balanced and best smoke of the year. Just confirmed that I will keep smoking Cubans and why most of the boxes i'm ageing have the famous FOH red sticker. PSP makes a difference.  

Here's some photos of the Liga No. 9, gardening ad the RYJ WC. Cheers! 

 

 

[crasmith]

Yeah, never did much for me either. 

 

Love the healthy looking plants. Good luck to you with your grow. Plants are fun to take care of and see through. 

[Samysam]

Well said. Wish I had tried the original release but as with many non Cubans they frizzell once mass produced and never recover 

 

[Smalls]

Nice review.  I have a few tins of Papas Fritas that are several years old.   I believe they are made from the trimmings of the Liga 9.   Those little cigars are one of my favorite NC smokes.  It will be a shame when they are gone if the quality has suffered that much.  

[Islandboy]

Agree with your review. I tried a Liga 9 a few years ago, based on rave reviews. Didn’t make it past first third, what a disappointment. I think I still have one, perhaps I should take a torch to it for this review weekend. Although life may be too short for such a waste of time.

[StogieSteve23]

That's too bad about the No 9.  I've really enjoyed the handful I've smoked but not in quite some time. Good luck with the gardening! ?

[Subcomandante]

I tried one a couple months ago and it was the same. Mostly that earth and some burnt coffee grounds. What strains are you growing?

[benfica_77]

7 hours ago, Subcomandante said:

I tried one a couple months ago and it was the same. Mostly that earth and some burnt coffee grounds. What strains are you growing?

Gelato, CDB Durban, Super Lemon Haze and Blue Dream  ?

[CampDelta369]

You guys are killing me. I’ve got a couple Privada T52 Sitting in my Humi for a year now, Recommend by the man at the B&M. It’s going to be a tough pull unless @Islandboy can pull off a rave review. ? 

[Subcomandante]

Also if you can get a hold of some fox farm soil it’s pretty good and you only need to add a little dolemite lime and some extra perlite along with regular nutrients. 

[Silverstix]

I heard the early runs of these were a much higher level of quality. I only smoked one, couple years ago, was not in my flavor wheelhouse.

I get so turned off by the elaborate back story on some of these NC’s. It makes it feel like they are overhyping a cigar that won’t stand on its own merits.


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