Cigar: Liga Privada T52
Size: 6 x 60
Wrapper: Connecticut (Stalk Cut Habano)
Binder: Brazil (Mata Fina)
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 1

Liga Privada T52 Code Name: Royale With Cheese

Appearance and Construction: The wrapper that adorns the American Classic has a beautiful golden brown color to it that is slightly darker than many of the Connecticut Shade cigars on the market. Under the light a nice oily sheen is noticeable and the cigar is rolled to perfection. In the hand the cigar has a lot of weight to it with no soft spots. This is a will packed stick with a lot of tobacco. The pre-release had a sample band on it, but the one set to adorn this cigar is complex and colorful.

Foot of Liga Privada T52 Code Name: Royale With Cheese

Flavor & Notes: The foot of the cigar served up a nice sweetness that bordered on molasses while the cold draw reminded me of leather and a slight cedar. I opted to use my Xikar hole punch to limit the amount of smoke I took in, as I find this is the way I enjoy smoking a cigar of this size. Once the cigar was lit there was a nice amount of flavor which was a pleasant surprise as this size tends to be toned down. The first third offered up notes of chocolate, cedar, and a slight coffee note. Through the nose there was copious amounts of cedar and a slight pepper. As we get into the second third of the cigar the chocolate note becomes more of a cocoa and coffee becomes the dominant taste. The pepper remains through the nose with continued cedar as well. The last third becomes heavy on leather notes but there is a nice cocoa/chocolate on the finish that is nice and long.

Smoking the first third of the Liga Privada T52 Code Name: Royale With Cheese

Smoking Characteristics: There is so much smoke produced from this cigar that if I wanted to I could send smokes to Drew Estate in Nicaragua. From the second it is lit until the cigar went out in both the smoking and resting position it was incredible. The burn was pretty jagged and uneven which I find to be a common trait of many 60 ring cigars. I never needed to touch this one up though, so that is a plus. The ash was medium to dark in color and held on very well. No worries about putting a hole in my shirt with this one. The aroma was really a focal point here as it was slightly nutty and an abundance of cedar filled the air.

Smoking the second third of the Liga Privada T52 Code Name: Royale With Cheese

Conclusion: I am not a fan of big ring cigars, but this one really did it for me. It maintained its flavors and was a nice smoke producer. I am sure it will eventually be released and once it is I am sure to pick up a box which will be the first time I ever did such for a cigar of this size. In fact I might go as far to say this size could be the best in the line.

Smoking the last third of the Liga Privada T52 Code Name: Royale With Cheese

Rating: 94
Price: TBD

Disclaimer: Drew Estate advertisers on this blog and both Marvin Samel & Jonathan Drew are from Brooklyn. That and the fact that I got this cigar at no cost from Drew Estate did not alter this review one bit.

These cigars have gone through a major blend change, please check out our most recent review which reflects the change.

http://www.acigarsmoker.com/2010/06/04/cigar-review-old-school-cigars/

I stopped by the beach as usual yesterday before my evening holiday plans and smoked a cigar named after the Boys of Summer. It was a warm day, but with no humidity it was beautiful out. Not a cloud in the sky a perfect end to summer… This cigar was gifted to me from Old School Cigars with each size named after a Brooklyn Dodger from the 50s.

The Skinny:

Cigar: Old School Cigar
Origin: Ecuador
Size : 6 x 60 (Duke Snider aka Toro Grande)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro
Binder: Ecuadorian Criollo ’98
Filler : Ecuadorian Sumatra Ligero, Sumatra & Criollo ’98 Secco, Sumatra Volado

Pre-Smoke: This cigar is hands down one of the oiliest cigars I have ever come across, its wrapper just sweats an insane amount of oil and the nose is of cocoa and wood. The foot is cocoa. This is one toothy looking cigar with a fair amount of veins and bumpiness. The pre-light draw was really easy and offered notes of cocoa with feint cedar notes.

Smoke: I had put off smoking this because in the summer I do not like a cigar that is very strong. I don’t have a need for a cigar to make me sweat when it is already extremely warm outside.  This full bodied cigar was a very rough on the back of the throat cigar. It had notes of pepper, and leather throughout and it was strong for the sake of being strong. The notes did nothing for the cigar as they were just there and never blended together or offered some satisfaction.

Overall: I’ve heard so many people say “I like a strong cigar because of the buzz it gives you.” Well if you are looking for a pseudo-high then this cigar might be for you. If you are a cigar smoker who likes a full bodied cigar with flavor this is not for you. If looks were everything this cigar would score really high, but since it isn’t it fails. Like the Brooklyn Dodgers this cigar is a bum, but not the loveable kind.

Rating: 83
Price: $Gifted

The Cigar Vault is located in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, NY on Avenue Z between East 17th and East 18th Street. Despite having some nice size to it this B&M lacks a smoking room to enjoy your stogies and even with that drawback The Cigar Vault is hands down the best stocked location in Brooklyn.

The owner Joe is a very friendly guy who will go the extra mile to make sure his customers are happy. You get no bullshit from him as he is a straight shooter unlike many other retail establishments. He also has one of the best Fuente selections in the city of New York just make sure you ask for what you want because it is not always on the shelf. He does this to make sure those who really enjoy the Opus, Untold Story, and WOAM get them.

Finally, the prices can’t be beat. Easily they are cheaper than a lot of other local B&Ms by 20%.. At first you ask how does he do it, but with prices that low and an inventory so amazing many times I go in for 2 smokes and walk out with well over $100 in merchandise.

The next time you are in Brooklyn, be sure to pay him a visit and let him know “Big Barry” sent you… I am sure you will not be disappointed!

Pros: Walk in Humidor, Selection, Prices
Cons: No place to sit & smoke.

4.5 out of 5 stars.