My First Liga #9 Review. Not Good!

[Browns7213]

Manufacturer: Drew Estates
Brand: Liga Privada #9
Size: Robusto 5x52
Price: Free
Rest Time: ?
Burn Time: 1:45

Prelight: A very firm densely packed cigar with a dark chocolate wrapper. The aroma is that of the proverbial "barnyard" with some ammonia on deep inhale off the foot. Prelight draw notes chocolate, spice and tobacco. I use my largest punch to open the cap and off we go.

1st 3rd:

On first draw I get bitter dark chocolate, coffee and some barnyard flavors. In true Drew Estate fashion I am drowning in foot smoke. The punch cut is making this an easy smoke with just the right amount of resistance. After settling down I'm getting some wood (after reading that back I probably should have rephrased that) coffee and earth. The wrapper has a slight sweetness, but the smoke is very dry. I am paying close attention to the 9, when it unexpectedly goes out requiring an early relight.



2nd 3rd:

Entering the second third I'm feeling some strength from the LP, but I only had coffee for breakfast and a protein shake for lunch, which could be contributing to the light headedness and sweating. The foot smoke has really died down since first light. Coffee flavors remain, with the addition of cinnamon and black pepper. Once the ash drops the cigar goes out again, when it's burning it's razor sharp, but not sure why it's going out. It's been in my box for 4-months lying next to other sticks I've smoked with no performance issues, and it was resting in another BOTL's box for a while.

Final 3rd:

Entering the final third, yep it goes out again. Coffee & cinnamon remains with some intense nuttiness. The constant relights have to be affecting the flavors negatively. After it goes out a fourth time I finally give up, with a good bit of the cigar left.

Summary:

Believe it or not this is the first LP I have ever tried, gifted to me by a brother who said my cigar smoking hobby would be incomplete without trying a few LPs. When I first came to Puff these were all the rage, it seemed like every other thread was about the infamous #9 . Being a mild-medium smoker they never sounded that appealing to me so I never pursued them. So, would I buy a number 9 with my own money, probably not. While it is an exquisite looking cigar, I didn't love the flavors and while I can chalk the performance issues up as an anomaly, they did contribute to my underwhelming experience. I won't write off the brand just yet as I have few more to get to, but for my palette there are cigars with more flavors that I enjoy for a lot less coin. So all the more for you guys that love them.

[Brimy]

Sorry you had the delight issues!
I'm sure they made the experience, "less than".
And although the No. 9 is not my favorite it is still a very nice cigar. You admission to being a mild to medium smoker, I can see this not really being your "cup of tea"! Even with the rest, IMO, they don't mellow much. But then again I've never really had one with too much rest.
Hopefully if you give it anther shot it will provide a better experience.
Thanks for the review.

[Scott W.]

I've smoked several of these. The first few were amazing, the last few, meh.

Maybe it's an age thing. Mine seemed better earlier on.

[Cool Breeze]

I've smoked several of these. The first few were amazing, the last few, meh.

Maybe it's an age thing. Mine seemed better earlier on.

I've read that these are not made to be aged. They are best within the first 2 years.
After that, they lose a lot of their flavor.

I do not know this from experience. I have merely read it.

[Doom Saloon]

Years ago, I smoked my first 9 and 52 in the same weekend-- both got me whacked! First cigars that gave me such a buzz! (And I like full-on sticks, and only a few have had that power ever since!)

[Scott W.]

id have to agree based on experience. Mine have to be 5-6 years old now

[Doom Saloon]

Come to think of it, I had a special #9 I had been saving for about 2 years; I remember being somewhat disappointed and I couldn't understand !?

[herman]

Still my favorite stick. I have had 25 or so over the past couple years and 2 were pretty bad with bitter taste and burn issues, then one was flat but I was smoking it in a lot of wind so won't judge.

My best #9 experience yet was one over a year old and it had plenty of complexity.

Usually this is a solid smoke and I trust they're ability to stay lit, but the consistency isn't perfect.
I have always found the strength to be just right, not enough to make feel off but just enough to hit the spot.

Thanks for continuing the reviews!

[Jordan23]

Thanks for the review. For some reason, this cigars have never really done much for me. I've always found them just "good."

[04EDGE40]

I've heard the JD says to rest LP9 for 6-12 months and definitely not more than 12-18. If you smoke it before the 6 month mark you will get the ammonia odor and taste that you spoke of. I got one early on in my smoking career and it just reeked of ammonia, but within about 4-6 months the odor has dissipated. I smoked it at almost exactly the 12 month mark and I have to say... it was amazing. It was definitely strong, but the flavors and complexity were incredible. I never thought about what my next smoke was while smoking the LP9 and was sad when it got too hot to hold.

Additionally, I waited almost exactly 12 months on my first T52 and the results were the same. I think you have to make sure you hit around the mark JD claims for it to be the smoke he intended it to be.