Liga Privada Aniversario Staff Review
Time flies. When the fellas at Drew Estate celebrated the tenth anniversary of their popular Liga Privada brand back in 2018, they came out with a cigar to honor the occasion, Liga Privada Aniversario, also called Liga Privada 10 Year Aniversario. Today, I’m firing up a 5.5-by-54 Robusto for a review.
When the guys at Drew Estate diversified their portfolio beyond their infused Acid cigars, Liga Privada was the non-flavored brand they debuted in 2007, starting with the No. 9 and T52 blends, both of which gained decent momentum. The company introduced limited edition sizes of its Liga Privada cigars, like the Flying Pig and Dirty Rat, which amplified demand for the brand even more.
Although rare sizes, like Flying Pigs, are still difficult to find, Liga Privada Aniversario has plenty to offer. It’s blended from a Criollo-seed wrapper, grown in the Connecticut River Valley, and a complex recipe of Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian long-fillers tucked inside a binder from San Andrés. And the cigar boasts labor-intensive details, including a fan-tail cap and a closed foot.
After choosing a fresh Robusto from a new box, Liga Privada Aniversario shows off a mottled, reddish-brown wrapper with lots of oil and a beefy vein structure. When I give it a quick pinch test, it’s clear the Aniversario is a dense cigar that’s been packed to the gills by the roller. It smells of chocolate, pepper, cedar, and earth with a musty component. When I slice the cap and savor the cold draw for a bit, tasting notes of charred oak, black licorice, and leather kick off the profile.
When you light a cigar with a closed foot, it’s best to gently ignite the wrapper with a soft flame or matches and start puffing. Part of the reason cigarmakers cover the foot of a cigar with the wrapper is to introduce the flavor of the wrapper with maximum effect in the first minute or two of smoking. As soon as I fire up the Liga Privada Aniversario, a hearty blast of black pepper fills my palate and my nasal cavity. Luckily, the cigar’s spicy intensity mellows out within a few minutes, allowing approachable flavors of espresso, leather, and fresh hay into the mix.
As Liga Privada Aniversario gets underway, a solid foundation of pepper continues through the retrohale, while notes of damp earth and moss offer balance. The Robusto starts out slow and, as I expected, progresses steadily thanks to the cigar’s tight draw. The construction and performance are above par, but the Aniversario is an intentionally dense blend, so be prepared to smoke this cigar for a long time. I’m pushing forty-five minutes before I get into the second half. Despite its thick draw, the Aniversario shows tremendous smoke production with an especially sturdy gray ash.
Distinct notes of chocolate mingle with the cigar’s earthy undertones once I’m savoring the final third. Notes of cedar, alfalfa, cocoa, and fresh earth come into play while a salty aftertaste lingers on my palate. Once I’ve got the bands off and I’m enjoying the final third, floral and vegetal notes grow in influence. Lots of spice dominates the nose right through the final minutes of this decadent Robusto.
Liga Privada Aniversario offers a solid experience, but you should smoke it on a full stomach and preferably with a good whiskey. Overall, I am impressed with the flavor, aroma, and complexity of this strong Nicaraguan cigar. However, I’m docking a few points for the price, as the $20 vicinity is just a little steep in my opinion. If you don’t mind spending a little more, and you’re craving a full-bodied experience, add Liga Privada Aniversario to your next order.
