Smoked: Liga Privada No. 9

Smoked at: The Woods of East Texas

I actually smoked this beauty last night anticipating another win for the Rangers. Didn't happen, but I fell in LOVE with a cigar instead. I was not prepared for this smoke. And I decided to take a little more time with this review than normal. This cigar deserves it, as does the experience.

This review actually begins nearly four weeks ago. I was outside Wal-Mart smoking one of my RP fumas when a man approached me. This man, I'll call him Bill, asked what it was I was smoking. I told him and after mentioning that he was going to have to try one, I gave him one of mine. Bill and I stood there in the corner of the parking lot alone, and smoked our cigars. Bill didn't say much and had to run off suddenly after finishing his cigar.

Fast forward to Saturday morning. I was in line to purchase a few things when I noticed that Bill was standing in front of me. I got his attention and asked him how he liked the cigar. Bill apologized for leaving abruptly the last time we spoke, thanked me for the cigar and told me he purchased some of the RP fumas for himself. He went further and pulled out a leather cigar case from his jacket pocket and handed me one of the cigars. What Bill had given me nearly knocked me to the floor, a Liga Privada no 9 Double Corona. Bill said he's had these two for a couple years, bought a five pack and these two were all he had left of them.

I couldn't thank him enough for what he had given me. I was truly touched. I talk with people all the time while I'm in public. Total strangers strike up a conversation like we're old friends. Once I talked to a man that claimed he knew Brushy Bill Roberts as a child. Most of the people tell me their troubles, and I listen smiling patiently, sometimes I even end up crying. I'm an emotional guy, what can I say? They, on the other hand, usually leave with a smile. I like that. Anyway, back on point Bill told me that he had headed out this way again this weekend to go fishing. He decided to bring these particular cigars on the off chance he saw me again while buying supplies.

It turns out that Bill is an avid fisherman from Little Rock who likes bass fishing at Lake Fork nearby me. Bill and I talked for a few minutes before he had to hurry off again. I thanked him again for his generosity. I was truly floored by this gift, and decided I was going to smoke it as I watched the Rangers win game two of the World Series. Well, that didn't happen, but I did get to enjoy this beauty with three fingers of Maker's Mark, well six if truth be told. LOL

Whatever I say here will not do this experience or this cigar justice, but I'm going to give it a try anyway.

Liga Privada No 9 Double Corona 7"x54 gauge.

Nicaraguan and Honduran long fillers are surrounded in a Brazilian Mata Fina binder before being wrapped in a Connecticut Broadleaf. This cigar had a nice firm roll and was perfectly straight, well packed with a nice firm spring and no noticeable soft spots. The seems and veins on this cigar were noticeable, but the wrapper was nicely dark and oily. This cigar LOOKS like a great cigar.

Prelight, the foot smelled of dark chocolate and something else that I couldn't place. It had a light but very pleasant scent that wasn't at all overpowering. The main things I noticed were tobacco and dark chocolate. There was definitely something else there, but I am still reacclimating my pallet and can't tell what it is I'm smelling.

I made a cut with my v cutter and saw that the cutter cut through the entirety of the cap. I took a prelight draw and found that it pulled absolutely perfectly and tasted lightly of dark chocolate and vanilla perhaps? It was not at all a rich or overpowering flavor. It was quite pleasant and I puffed and smelled on this beauty for a few minutes before I ever lit it up, savoring the smells and flavors I was picking up.

This cigar produces copious amounts of smoke with a perfectly easy draw. The retrohale was smooth and nice to say the least. Not certain that I tasted any chocolate through the first third of this cigar. I did taste a bitter nuttiness mixed with the tobacco. I also got a bit of cedar mixed with the smoke, very complex with nuances I can't identify.

The next third of the cigar didn't change much except for the fact that I think I now taste espresso and pepper nuances underneath everything. Very subtle. Very pleasant with an aftertaste of leather. This smoke was smooth and exceedingly pleasant, so much so that I almost didn't care when Arizona went ahead of Texas. Almost. ;)

The final third did not disappoint. Just as smooth and pleasant as the previous thirds. The medium flavors I've been picking up before drastically changed and became much bolder. I was certain I was tasting pepper, espresso, leather and cedar. Even aged as it was, this final third was dark and full of flavor. Full bodied and full flavored after coming on more mellow, it took an hour and a half to smoke this big gal.

The cigar had an even burn with a solidly ringed ash, showing each puff I took upon it like a tree shows its age in its rings. Cool temperature, flavorful smoke with a perfect draw made this the nicest cigar I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. This cigar paired well with both Maker's Mark, an early birthday gift from another friend, and a game 2 loss to the Diamondbacks. I honestly don't recommend the latter, but try the former. You won't regret it.

I smoke on a budget and hardly get to even sniff a cigar like this. LOL I was overwhelmed by Bill's generosity and I know that if ever I get the opportunity to smoke this again, I'll remember Bill, the fisherman from Little Rock with a big smile. Awesome man. Awesome smoke.