Drew Estates Liga Privada T52 Review

Manufacturer: Drew Estates
Brand: Liga Privada T52
Size: Robusto 5x52
Cost: Free
Rest Time: 4-Months
Burn Time: 1:52

Prelight: The LP T52 has a very firm, dense even pack. The ligero leaves are clearly visible viewing the foot of the cigar and they are engulfed by a dark oily chocolate wrapper. I lop the head off with my Xikar Xi and off we go. The prelight aroma is cedar and a very strong tobacco and the draw is cedar and spice.

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1st 3rd:

On first draw I get a massive blast of black pepper with with some coffee. The draw is very loose and smoke off the foot is typical DE. After the T52 settles down the pepper has relaxed a good bit and now there are very earthy flavors coming through mixed with roasted dark malts. This is a homebrew reference as the flavors remind me of the smell of steeped dark grains. The smoke is full bodied and quite drying. The aroma of the cigar sitting in the ashtray is very fragrant.

2nd 3rd:

The ash holds on for about 1" before dropping in my lap. The flavors of earth and cedar are now interloping with a very strong black coffee I'm starting to feel the strength of the T52 already, and grab some sugar and mix it with some water. My wrapper splits in a vertical fashion, but does not appear to impact the smoke.

Final 3rd:

In the final third the black coffee has morphed into a very creamy coffee with the addition of some nutty flavors, the cedar remains and is the dominant flavor on the finish.

Summary:

This T52 was a gift from the same BOTL that sent me my first LP#9. Since the LP9 had major burn issues I dry boxed the T52 for 4 days, which led to a much better burn requiring no relights, but one small touch up. I'm not sure why the wrapper cracked, as we have almost no humidity here today. I preferred the flavors of the T52 over the LP9, but probably those flavors that appeared in the final third were most to my liking. Would I shell out my own money for this stick, probably not, but I wouldn't turn one down either. For my palate there are tastier sticks for a lot less money.

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