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This week Paul and Tim review the Liga Privada Unico Serie “L40” Lancero, talk about a dozen or so cigars that didn’t make the top ten released for 2011, and do a segment on why you should smoke Cuban cigars.

Stogie of the Week

Liga Privada Unico Serie “L40” Lancero

Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Stalk Cut Habano (CT River Valley Stalk Cut & Cured Habano Leaf)
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina (Plantation-Grown)
Filler: Nicaragua (3 Extra-Choice Nicaraguan Cuban Seed)
Strength: Medium-Full
Vitola: Parejo
Size: 7 x 40 (Lancero)
Age: One year in Paul’s humidor
MSRP: $12.95 (15 count box)
Fun Facts: “L40” refers to the slightly larger ring size than the typical lancer. It contains 5 different tobaccos, bumping up the ring gauge to a 40 (from the more traditional lancer ring size of 38). Its recipe was in development for 2+ years prior to release. Other smokes in the “Unico” series include the “Dirty Rat” and the “Feral Flying Pig”.

From Drew Estate:

In our ongoing creation of the Liga Privada line, hundreds of different, distinct blends and vitolas are crafted in our ceaseless search for the perfect smoke. Most samples are dismissed with only a rare, select few being deemed worthy, but regretfully due to tobacco limitations, costs, construction limitations, etc. most of these blends can not be made into a their own stand-alone line. However, they are so perfect in flavor and aroma, we continue to selfishly make them for ourselves to smoke. This is not our desire, we want the Liga Privada connoisseur to enjoy the very same cigars our “El Jefe” smokes regardless of any reason. And with this in mind, we have created the Único Serie – a home for these unique ones. All of the cigars within this series are not only different in size and recipe, but they are extra special, extremely limited and exceptionally delicious.

Reference: Liga Privada Unico Series L40 Lancero – Specs

Other Reviews:

This week we are drinking:

Paul’s Best Stogies of 2011 – The Runner Ups

  1. Tatuaje Capa Especial – Very good, but the La Verite has more and better flavors. However, the La Verite is pricy, not as good of a value. Of either, the Tatuaje Cojonu 2003 is by far the better value, more stick, and great flavors.
  2. Tatuaje Black Petit Lancero – This one was just okay in my opinion, nothing really wowed me about it.
  3. Viaje late harvest – Great Viaje flavors, one of the better new Viaje releases. Most of which however, missed the mark.
  4. Viaje WLP Candela – If you are looking for something different, this is a great choice. Good stick, but not top ten worthy.
  5. J. Grotto Serie Reserve Gran Corona – I think its a little unfair to give this stick a review, as the creators are good friends of ours. Having said that, this is a great stick! Good spice and pepper up front, Smooth mellow earthy flavors, good spice in 1st third. I’d still call the flavor a smooth, earthy flavor, typical of Honduran tobacco. If you like the Alec Bradly Prensado line, you will love this cigar!
  6. EP Carillo New Wave Connecticut (toro) – EP Carrillo handed me one of these personally, and it was fantastic. I’ve smoked several more, the Stella being my favorite size. However, I had construction issues with a couple of different sizes, which I think really changed the flavor profile. This is one that I have to re-visit until I find my favorite size.
  7. EP Carrillo Short Run 2011 Robusto – Stronger than the 2010 blend, flavors were a bit young, but had a great finish. This was very close to making my top ten. I think with age these sticks will be great, however it can’t hold a candle to the 2009 inaugural, 2010 limited, and 2011 dark ritual, all three of which are some of my most favorite cigars to smoke of all time.
  8. Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva – Expensive yard gar.
  9. EP Carillo Maduro – VERY spicy and peppery start, like 2-3/x as much as all other cigars I’ve smoked recently. I mean almost to the point, okay never mind I reached that point, I could not retrohale it. cocoa undertone, but the flavors are a bit young and bitter to me, almost reminds me of a Tatuaje Cojonu 2003
  10. La Flor Dominicana Factory Press IV – Smooth flavors right from the start. Smoothness throughout, I’d call the flavors a woody-sweetness. Wish the draw was a tad looser and burned a little better, had to re-light a few time.
  11. San Cristobal Elegancia – Great smooth mild flavors, underlying sweetness, very good cigar! I think this deserves a spot in my breakfast cigar rotation for sure. Nice mild spice. Great burn and draw.
  12. Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary – Great flavors, different, change of pace kind of cigar. Punch has a very distinct flavor, even Cuban Punch tastes different. Finish was not so good, kinda bitter.
  13. Drew Estate Undercrown Robusto – The flavors right away reminded me of the Liga #9, though not as pronounced. I have to say, this one fell apart on me. It was my fault, I let the boveda pack get too dry, and then I was carrying this stick around with me, so it cracked and came apart. Planning on smoking another ASAP. Update: Smoked another one, the flavors in the first 3rd were amazing, then it continued to be an enjoyable smoke throughout.

Tim’s Best Stogies of 2011 – The Runner Ups

  1. Partagas Benji Menendez Master Series (Re-release 2011) – Great example of a Cameroon wrapper. I struggled with whether this should be on my top ten. In the end it got bumped but I recommend grabbing a few before they are gone!
  2. Viaje WLP Candela – Probably the best release from Viaje all year IMO. I loved the vitola and unique herbal and grassy flavors. Construction was solid. Please make more Andre!
  3. Undercrown by Drew Estate – I reviewed back in October and stated that I thought these would getter better with a little time. Sequential sticks I have smoked have indeed balanced out and are smoking good.
  4. Viaje Exclusivo Short (2011) – Great little smoke from Andre Farkas but suffered from a high price point in my opinion.
  5. E.P. Carillo New Wave Connecticut Stellas – We talked about this stick prior on Episode 3. One of the most flavorful shade grown Connecticut’s I have ever had.
  6. Tatuaje 7th Capa Especial – A solid medium bodied corona. While I am still partial to the 7th Reserva (Broadleaf Maduro) this stick s a great example of the flavor that the Sumatra wrapper can bring to the humidor.
  7. Illusione 88 Maduro – One of my favorite sizes of the Illusione Series. This San Andreas wrapper offers some nice rich Maduro flavors with the same fantastic construction and draw of the ~88~.
  8. Illusione 88 Candela – Same great core flavors of the 88 (Leather, earth, pepper) with a hint of sweet grass and tea (which seemed to be strongest in the first third). As always the stick burned great and with a good volume of smoke. Not something I would smoke on a regular basis but a nice change of pace on occasion.
  9. E.P. Carillo Maduro – A good solid maduro from EPC at a great price. I recommend keeping these in regular rotation.
  10. San Cristobal Elegancia – I agree with Paul. this stick is making it’s way into my breakfast smoke rotation. Light, sweet, this cigar pours smoke!

Stogie Tech Segment

Why You Should Smoke Cuban Cigars

I read an article recently, which will go unnamed, that was knocking Cuban cigars and listed several reasons why we shouldn’t smoke them. I want to argue the flip side of that coin and tell everyone why I think we should all smoke Cuban cigars.

  • They Are Not THAT Expensive – I don’t recommend that you pay a premium for Cuban cigars. There are several sites and people willing to trade with you at a reasonable price. I would not pay upwards of $10 for a Partagas Serie D #4, one of my favorites, but I grabbed a box for $6 a stick and smoked/traded the entire box. Many will have you believing that Cuban cigars are really expensive, and its just not true.
  • The Construction Issues Are Not All That Bad – Here’s the thing, tell me you’ve never had a construction issue with a domestic cigar? Can you? I think not, all cigars suffer from construction issues, and I’ve had them with Cubans and non-Cubans alike. Again, this is what people want you to believe so you will visit your local B&M and buy legal cigar brands.
  • They Age VERY Well – Of all the vintage cigars I’ve ever smokes, Cubans age the best. They just seem to keep getting better with age and rarely “age out” or lose all of their flavors after a certain period of time.
  • The Flavors Are Unique and Tasty – I love the Cuban flavor profile, and keep coming back to them because they taste so damn good!
  • No One Makes Their Purchasing Decisions Based On Country Of Origin – If you take issue with the fact that these cigars come from a communist country, then according to that logic, you should not purchase any goods that come from China. Which means you will have to make all of your own cloths and create all your own electronics, or not even use computers at all. Its simply ridiculous. Look, even if you’ve personally been affected by tragedy that stems from the Cuban communist regime, it still shouldn’t affect your purchasing as you are more so supporting the poor factory workers in Cuba than the Government by buying a box of cigars. Look at it this way, I’m Armenian, and my family was personally affected by the holicost. If Turkey made excellent cigars, I’d still buy them. In fact, several of my own family members visited the country and made purchases. Oh also, most of the oil used to make gas for your car comes from a country that has similar ideals, which means your pedaling to work buddy!
  • Help The People Of Cuba – They are the ones suffering most from the embargo.
  • If You Know Where To Shop and What To Look For… – You will never get a fake. Its common sense really, ask around and see where other people are buying or acquiring Cuban cigars, and use the power of social rankings to guide you to the best sites.
  • I’m Not Saying Stop Buying Cigars From The B&M –
  • Don’t Let Yourself Be Brainwashed – Look, there are plenty of fantastic cigars available outside of Cuba. This probably started right after the embargo, but all the manufacturers and store owners will say “You don’t need to smoke Cubans Cigars, there are plenty of legal ones that are just as good”. This brainwashing has gone on for years, and you should be the only judge. Smoke all different kinds, shapes, and types of cigars, and then decide for yourself what you like and don’t believe the hype, or non-hype.
  • It Comes Down To Value – Here’s the thing, you can get a $6 cuban cigar, put a year of age on it, and it will likely blow away anything in the $6 range domestically.