Cigar Geeks - Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Toro

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Toro
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Cfickter

93
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member BewareDaPenguin (Adam). The cigar provided for this round is the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Toro.

The H99 is the first regular production blend in the Liga Privada series to be introduced since 2009, and sold only to "qualifying Drew Diplomat Program retailers." Aside from the premium heritage of flavor and craftsmanship the brand is already well known for, the H99 is exciting due to its use of a Corojo-seed leaf grown deep in the Connecticut River Valley, giving it a delicious and complex spice found only in quality Corojo tobacco. Beneath that lies a rich Mexican San Andres binder and superb Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers.

"The H99 Connecticut Corojo is the triumphant result of hybridity, including traits of... dysfunction, functionality, flexibility, adaptability, survival, replicability, and most importantly procreation," said Jonathan Drew, co-founder and president of Drew Estate, in a press release. "In all my 26 years of experience as a tobacco man, I have never witnessed a tobacco hybridization with the depth and body of this Stalk-Cut Habano and Connecticut Corojo leaf."

Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Toro

Brand:: Drew Estate
Name:: Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo Toro
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 52
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Honduras
Nicaragua
Pennsylvania
Binder:: Mexico
Wrapper:: Corojo
Connecticut
Color:: Colorado
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Toro
Notes:: https://halfwheel.com/drew-estate-announces-initial-liga-privada-10-aniversario-h99-shipments/287800 https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/liga-privada-h99-connecticut-corojo-gets-new-size

This cigar was enjoyed with Dark roast coffee, black

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

This was a beautiful looking wrapper. A little darker than milk chocolate in color. Some very slight veining but nothing over the top. Somewhat hard body, not very oily. Pre-light draw had a combination of dark chocolate and black pepper and some minor floral notes. Cap was well constructed and cutting it caused no issues

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

Burn on this was very good, some very minor wobble in the burn at times but never out of hand that would cause any touchups. No issues with tunneling or running. Burn rate was great, smoke lasted a good 90 minutes. Ash was a light gray and somewhat flaky but held up well. Smoke volume was excellent which seems to be a trait with many DE cigars.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

Construction on the cigar was excellent. No issues with the wrapper whatsoever. Draw seemed a little restricted about mid cigar, could have been a bunching issue. That passed quickly. No issues with the cap.

Flavor and Aroma: 43 Points of 45 Possible

First third: Right off the first draw the pre-light aromas showed up, dark chocolate and some pepper notes. Great start. The pepper really popped on the retrohale. The opening flavors had a sharpness to them, well defined.
Second third: The pepper notes seemed to have dropped down a bit and the chocolate has all but disappeared. Introduced in this third is more of an earthy, leather note. The strength has also backed off some and the third seems to be smoother, less crisp.
Final third: This was perhaps the most enjoyable part for me. The strength has backed off a little more, more in the medium range, and there seems to be some sweetness to it. Somewhat like you get in a maduro. Also seemed to have a little coffee note in it.

Summary

I really enjoyed this smoke. I can honestly say I prefer the H99 over the Liga 9, but I am one of those who feel the Liga 9 has lost something lately. High praise for the complexity as each third seemed to have its own character. At no point would I say the flavors were overwhelming. More well balanced. I know some people will put this in the full strength category but find it more medium-full