Quick Smoke: Drew Estate Liga Privada T52 Belicoso
17 Oct 2015
Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,†“hold,†or “sell.â€
The Belicoso (6 x 52) from Drew Estate’s T52 line never disappoints. A hallmark of consistency, this cigar delivers superb construction with a rich, ultra-oily profile of leather, coffee, black pepper, cocoa, and that trademark Liga Privada sweet creamy grassiness (many of you know what I’m talking about; the ability to accurately describe the sensation escapes me). While it may not be inexpensive—keep in mind the stalk-cut “American Habano†Connecticut wrapper is costly to produce—I think you’ll agree you need to treat yourself to a T52 every now and then.
Verdict = Buy.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Lot of fanboys for this cigar. I found the flavors somewhat artificial tasting. Halfway through the smoke it turned to charcoal, just died in my hand. Never smoked another.
That artificial taste you get is from the process the wrapper goes through (petume/spraying). They take a mixture of water and scrap tobacco/stems and make a tea out of it, its called Cola in the factories. Once it has fermented they spray it on the wrapper leaves to create a more even maduro color, oils, and sweetenss (almost artificial). I’ve noticed the wrappers are waterproof…that is also what makes the cigar smoke like a house on fire!
I am a huge L40 and Ratzilla fan…when your feeling a Liga there is nothing that will take its place!
I’ve also tasted the so-called artificial flavor. Coming from a company that makes flavored cigars has turned me off from the whole Liga – Drew Estate product line. That and the strange burning oily rag smoke thing.
That burning oily rag is from spraying the wrappers with water/tobacco mixture…