Hey guys. I hope everyone had a good New Years. I have a question for the group. Over the weekend I has a Drew Estate Liga Privada 9 Robusto. I had purchased a couple based on glowing reviews from various review sites ( which I don't put a lot of stock in) and a couple of groups I belong to whose membership is made up of regular everyday cigar enthusiasts (whose opinions I do have faith in). I didn't find the stick to be all that. I didn't get a lot of flavor complexity. I know I'm fairly new to this and my palate may not be that developed yet and I don't want to bash this stick. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this cigar or do you think it's just my lack of experience?
No I don't think its your palate, I like you found it to be a bit on the bland side myself. However I do like the T 52 much better smoke IMO. :biggrin:
Thanks Byron. I know that taste is very subjective. I also wonder if perhaps I was influenced beforehand by both it's price and all the glowing reviews for it and feeling a bit let down when it didn't live up to what I thought it would be.
Ratings and reviews on any cigar are subject to the persons personal tastes, John. While I like the #9 and smoke them on occasion, it just may not be enjoyable to you and your palate. If the #9 is a miss for you, there are hundreds of other cigars out there that may be more enjoyable to you. As an example, I have a friend that ONLY smokes Macanudo Gold label cigars. He will not smoke anything else, period. I will rarely smoke a CT.
QuoteDonM - 1/2/2019 8:44 AM
Ratings and reviews on any cigar are subject to the persons personal tastes, John. While I like the #9 and smoke them on occasion, it just may not be enjoyable to you and your palate. If the #9 is a miss for you, there are hundreds of other cigars out there that may be more enjoyable to you. As an example, I have a friend that ONLY smokes Macanudo Gold label cigars. He will not smoke anything else, period. I will rarely smoke a CT.
Thanks Don. I think I am slowly beginning to learn what my preferences are. I'm finding I really like Maduro and the spiciness of Cameroons.
Were they fresh from a B&M or purchased from someone? Just curious. And as stated, taste is subjective. Might not be your wheelhouse. I personally really like them, so I wouldn't write them off. Maybe revisit a while down the road, taste preferences change so you never know what may blow your skirt up next time. I would try the T52 as well, I slightly prefer that blend, but both are excellent in my opinion.
I think one thing a lot of us noticed lately was it just seemed to miss that knockout flavor that separated it from other cigars. Is it tied to the Swisher acquisition? I would think that Jonathan was less focused on margins, where Swisher would be.
Might be same blend but perhaps not aged as long? Same tobacco type, but different farm?
Who knows but there is a difference from a few years ago for sure
QuoteCfickter - 1/2/2019 9:08 AM
I think one thing a lot of us noticed lately was it just seemed to miss that knockout flavor that separated it from other cigars. Is it tied to the Swisher acquisition? I would think that Jonathan was less focused on margins, where Swisher would be.
Might be same blend but perhaps not aged as long? Same tobacco type, but different farm?
Who knows but there is a difference from a few years ago for sure
Great points Chuck, one I hadn't considered.
You're not alone John, check out the aging experiment thread going on right now.
IMO, the Liga #9 is no where near the cigar it used to be. I haven't bought one in years. Used to be a great cigar now very middle of the road at best
The recent production LP9 I smoked surprised me with a lot of floral potpourri notes, but I'm pretty sure those are the first flavors to go with aging, or improper storage...
My theory, the old LP9s were a different stick, the flavors were brought out with aged quality tobacco. I think the new LP9s are trying to recreate a similar complex but strong cigar, but going about it by different means. I don't think they're doing any infusions or anything, but that the tobacco they are using brings a lot of big notes that dissipate with age, whereas the old formula used tobacco that had bold flavors that age brought out.
QuoteStogieDad - 1/2/2019 8:57 AM
Were they fresh from a B&M or purchased from someone? Just curious. And as stated, taste is subjective. Might not be your wheelhouse. I personally really like them, so I wouldn't write them off. Maybe revisit a while down the road, taste preferences change so you never know what may blow your skirt up next time. I would try the T52 as well, I slightly prefer that blend, but both are excellent in my opinion.
I had purchase them on line. Unfortunately health issues don't permit me to get out to the B & M here often. They were in my humidor for about 125 days at 65%.
Quote05Venturer - 1/2/2019 11:51 AM
IMO, the Liga #9 is no where near the cigar it used to be. I haven't bought one in years. Used to be a great cigar now very middle of the road at best
I'm hearing the same thing from a lot of other people Kent. Thanks for your input.
QuoteAdwinistrator - 1/2/2019 12:18 PM
The recent production LP9 I smoked surprised me with a lot of floral potpourri notes, but I'm pretty sure those are the first flavors to go with aging, or improper storage...
My theory, the old LP9s were a different stick, the flavors were brought out with aged quality tobacco. I think the new LP9s are trying to recreate a similar complex but strong cigar, but going about it by different means. I don't think they're doing any infusions or anything, but that the tobacco they are using brings a lot of big notes that dissipate with age, whereas the old formula used tobacco that had bold flavors that age brought out.
Yeah I had read your reviews of the Belicoso and the Toro Ryan and found it very interesting.
For me, it is a cigar that used to be worthy of searching for, and now, not so much. I agree with others that the T52 seems to be holding up well when compared to the older blend. From what I've been told, its the same tobacco, but grown in larger quantities, which tells me that not as much attention is paid to the tobacco when its growing as when it was truly a small batch production. Its still a good cigar in my opinion, but there are many more that I view as better...for my palate!
PS...Try the Foundation Tabernacle and the Casa Turrent 1880...these remind me of the original LP#9...but better!! :biggrin:
Quote05Venturer - 1/2/2019 2:51 PM
IMO, the Liga #9 is no where near the cigar it used to be. I haven't bought one in years. Used to be a great cigar now very middle of the road at best
I concur... They were really good under Steve and Nick!
QuoteAdwinistrator - 1/2/2019 12:18 PM
The recent production LP9 I smoked surprised me with a lot of floral potpourri notes, but I'm pretty sure those are the first flavors to go with aging, or improper storage...
My theory, the old LP9s were a different stick, the flavors were brought out with aged quality tobacco. I think the new LP9s are trying to recreate a similar complex but strong cigar, but going about it by different means. I don't think they're doing any infusions or anything, but that the tobacco they are using brings a lot of big notes that dissipate with age, whereas the old formula used tobacco that had bold flavors that age brought out.
This. ^^^
Been smoking LP9's (and lots of them) since they were introduced.
Construction and quality of leaf have declined in recent years.
There are a few cigars in the old LP9 wheelhouse (outside of T52's) that have earned a spot in my humidor: La Imperiosa and Mi Querida.
QuoteThere are a few cigars in the old LP9 wheelhouse (outside of T52's) that have earned a spot in my humidor: La Imperiosa and Mi Querida.
I have both of those in stock :biggrin:
Ryan had an interesting review and thread on LP9. I think there are a few things likely in play: palates have changed since LP was introduced, the Swisher takeover, and a broadleaf shortage affecting the quality of tobacco being used.
QuoteLonghorn - 1/3/2019 9:52 PM QuoteAdwinistrator - 1/2/2019 12:18 PM The recent production LP9 I smoked surprised me with a lot of floral potpourri notes, but I'm pretty sure those are the first flavors to go with aging, or improper storage... My theory, the old LP9s were a different stick, the flavors were brought out with aged quality tobacco. I think the new LP9s are trying to recreate a similar complex but strong cigar, but going about it by different means. I don't think they're doing any infusions or anything, but that the tobacco they are using brings a lot of big notes that dissipate with age, whereas the old formula used tobacco that had bold flavors that age brought out.
This. ^^^ Been smoking LP9's (and lots of them) since they were introduced. Construction and quality of leaf have declined in recent years. There are a few cigars in the old LP9 wheelhouse (outside of T52's) that have earned a spot in my humidor: La Imperiosa and Mi Querida.
I don't care what your pallet is like, if you take any advice on the LP#9 take it from Longhorn! I think most of us know that he has probably smoked more of these than anyone on this site... and most others! LOL
Quotebstessl - 1/4/2019 1:41 PM
...he has probably smoked more of these than anyone on this site... and most others! LOL
And THIS ^^^^ :biggrin: Yard Gars!
Smoked one after a strong cigar, and while I had been drinking a bit. I knew I wasn't getting full flavor because of the previous smoke, and the drink, but I thought it was nice. I've had a T52 once and didn't think it was as good as the 9.
QuoteCfickter - 1/2/2019 9:08 AM
I think one thing a lot of us noticed lately was it just seemed to miss that knockout flavor that separated it from other cigars. Is it tied to the Swisher acquisition? I would think that Jonathan was less focused on margins, where Swisher would be.
Might be same blend but perhaps not aged as long? Same tobacco type, but different farm?
Who knows but there is a difference from a few years ago for sure
BUT, to piggyback on this, the Tatuaje Black Petit Lancero 2013 is head-and-shoulders above the recent release. Is aging at work here? Perhaps, but I personally think that the blend has changed in some way. It could very well be that the blend was changed in some form (source, contents).
QuoteLonghorn - 1/3/2019 10:52 PM
QuoteAdwinistrator - 1/2/2019 12:18 PM
The recent production LP9 I smoked surprised me with a lot of floral potpourri notes, but I'm pretty sure those are the first flavors to go with aging, or improper storage...
My theory, the old LP9s were a different stick, the flavors were brought out with aged quality tobacco. I think the new LP9s are trying to recreate a similar complex but strong cigar, but going about it by different means. I don't think they're doing any infusions or anything, but that the tobacco they are using brings a lot of big notes that dissipate with age, whereas the old formula used tobacco that had bold flavors that age brought out.
This. ^^^
Been smoking LP9's (and lots of them) since they were introduced.
Construction and quality of leaf have declined in recent years.
There are a few cigars in the old LP9 wheelhouse (outside of T52's) that have earned a spot in my humidor: La Imperiosa and Mi Querida.
TRY THE LA IMPERIOSA.
QuoteLonghorn - 1/4/2019 6:30 PM
Quotebstessl - 1/4/2019 1:41 PM
...he has probably smoked more of these than anyone on this site... and most others! LOL
And THIS ^^^^ :biggrin: Yard Gars!
Fanboy?
QuoteCoreyMacLeod - 1/4/2019 11:19 PM
BUT, to piggyback on this, the Tatuaje Black Petit Lancero 2013 is head-and-shoulders above the recent release. Is aging at work here? Perhaps, but I personally think that the blend has changed in some way. It could very well be that the blend was changed in some form (source, contents).
I feel like the 2013 corona gordas are better than the current production. That being said I bought a couple of the petite robustos when black label went into regular production - I smoked one soon after purchase and the other with more than a year of age. The aged stick was vastly improved with more twang and flavor like the 2013 CGs.
QuoteMusicCity - 1/5/2019 1:18 AM
QuoteCoreyMacLeod - 1/4/2019 11:19 PM
BUT, to piggyback on this, the Tatuaje Black Petit Lancero 2013 is head-and-shoulders above the recent release. Is aging at work here? Perhaps, but I personally think that the blend has changed in some way. It could very well be that the blend was changed in some form (source, contents).
I feel like the 2013 corona gordas are better than the current production. That being said I bought a couple of the petite robustos when black label went into regular production - I smoked one soon after purchase and the other with more than a year of age. The aged stick was vastly improved with more twang and flavor like the 2013 CGs.
I bought a box about 2 years ago. It's been at least a year since I smoked one. I will have to give one a try again soon. Hopefully the time in the humi has been kind.