Liga Privada L40 Pre-release

Today's review is of a pre-release of the upcoming Liga Privada L40! This 7x40 Lancero is one of the new Ligas that will be released in the near future and will be part of the Unico line like the Dirty Rat. A traditional Lancero is a 38 ring gauge, but Steve Saka wanted to add one more tobacco to the blend so he added just a little more girth to it to get the blend he desired (hence the name L40). This Liga Privada blend is unique for the Lancero vitola. I received this cigar from Steve Saka during my visit to the Drew Estate factory, as well as a few other treats that I hope to review soon. Steve told me this Lancero might be a little on the young side, just a month or 2 shy of what the final release will have on it as far as age goes. 

The Liga Lancero is a fantastic looking cigar. The dark, oily wrapper seems to be applied perfectly. While this isn't a traditional lancero, I must say i really like the size of this cigar. The prelight shows a perfect draw for a lancero with rich tobacco and barnyard flavors. Once lit, the L40 starts out with a mouthfull of rich flavor I expect from a Liga Blend. This has plenty of woody, leathery and black pepper flavors. While the spice is present, it's no where near as intense as it is in something like the Dirty Rat blend. Like all the Liga Privadas, this cigar produces a ton of resting smoke. There is some fruityness on the finish of this cigar that really sets it apart. Even with the fruityness, this is a rich, dark flavored cigar. The ash only wants to hold on for under half an inch, but that is pretty typical for a thin ring gauge cigar like this. There is plenty of coffee bean with the leathery and spicy flavors. While this is a full flavored cigar, it isn't nearly as powerful as the other Liga's. This is more of a finesse cigar. 

As this cigar develops, the spice backs down and more of the woody flavors come up to the front. That fruity tartness is a really intriguing flavor and it balances out the rich coffee and leather. At the halfway point this lancero is going great. The burn has been nice and even. The flavors are still rich and tasty. This is definitely an elegant cigar. I would say it has more complexity than the other Ligas. The other blends like the T52 are more powerful (but still very flavorful), this one has a full bodied feel to it without the kick. That being said, it isn't a mild cigar at all. I would say it is full bodied and medium strength. The smoke really coats the palate and is almost chewy. In the final third, some bitter dark chocolate has shown up with the return of some of the black pepper spice. 

The Liga Privada L40 was a killer cigar! I cannot wait for these to be released, I know ill be buying plenty of them! I am a huge fan of the lancero size, and this beefed up version smokes very well. This really stands apart from the other Liga blends for me. This is more complex and elegant, but you still know you are smoking a Liga blend. I'm not sure what the price on these will be, but I recommend everyone try them when they are available. Liga Privada has become one of my favorite lines of cigars and this one rounds out the line nicely.

Comments

[Steve Saka]

Just read your review and I really appreciate your kind words.

Most importantly I like how you describe it as a "finesse" smoke because this is EXACTLY what we were trying to achieve in its blending. Most lanceros are either really mild or really strong, but seldom do they exhibit complexity or nuance. My goal was to make something truly unique... granted I cheated a little by slightly increasing the ring size from 38 to 40, but I really love result.

My only concern is that some people will expect a longer, thinner Dirty Rat - although the L40 is medium-full imo, it is not the pepper and spice bomb the Dirty Rat is, rather it is a elegant, refined smoke that exhibits those notes and many others.

BR,

Steve Saka
Prez, Drew Estate

[Ben]

Thanks Steve! I can't wait for these to be released, I hope everyone else loves them as much as I do.