The Liga Privada Aniversario Robusto from Drew Estate was created to celebrate a decade of excellence, and it certainly delivers a memorable smoking experience. This limited-edition cigar features a rare Criollo-seed wrapper grown exclusively in the Connecticut River Valley, paired with a Mexican San Andrés negro binder and a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers.
The presentation is striking, with a fan pigtail cap and closed foot. Its mottled, dark chocolate wrapper glistens with oils and offers a rugged texture, tightly packed with no soft spots.
The first third opens with a bold wave of woodsy oak, underscored by a sweet leather note that coats the palate. Layers of simple syrup and white pepper mingle with intriguing flavors of slightly burnt French toast, accented by lemon and peanut. Baking spices and earth round out this complex opening, keeping the smoker engaged with a balance of sweetness and spice.
In the second third, the profile grows creamier and more decadent. Rich chocolate, reminiscent of ganache, takes the lead alongside nutty undertones. The pepper subsides, remaining mostly in the retrohale, while caramel and a salty bagel character add depth. The cigar dries the palate in a way comparable to a cabernet, adding an interesting wine-like quality that keeps the smoke refreshing despite its density.
The final third delivers a robust and evolving finish. Leather reemerges, brightened by lemon rind and a subtle floral quality. Cayenne and white pepper ramp back up, layered over charred oak and bourbon barrel notes. A whisper of vanilla and salt lingers, with a bourbon-like finish that clings to the palate long after each puff.
Overall, the Liga Privada Aniversario Robusto is a flavorful, nuanced cigar that surprised by being milder than its dark, oily wrapper suggested. The flavors were bountiful and well-developed throughout the smoking experience, making it approachable while still complex enough for seasoned smokers. Unfortunately, consistent burn issues were a drawback, and several reviewers noted they affected the overall enjoyment. Still, despite the construction concerns, the richness of flavor made this anniversary release a worthy and enjoyable smoke.
Overall Score: 89.90 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 6.05 out of 10
This blind cigar review (Cigar #25-C) was scored by a panel of cigar enthusiasts, including: LKOUTS, Mike Cokeley, Munch, Jim DeLuca, AustinDan,Nick B, Hawkeye, Raymond Forslund, Byron Robinson, Vito T, Dwight Jones, and PoDunkMofo
