The Liga Privada range has turned out to be Drew Estate’s most highly regarded cigar family, starting with the No. 9 line and building on it with this series — the T52.
While the Liga Privada No. 9 was originally developed as a private, in-house blend exclusively for former Drew Estate president Steve Saka and the brand’s top brass, the T52 line was developed over a period of two years to be stronger and more robust than the No. 9, making use of a stalk-cut, Connecticut-grown, Cuban-seed Habano wrapper.
Stalk-cutting is a process by which the leaves of the tobacco plant are left on their stalks rather than being removed individually as they traditionally are (this latter case is called priming). After the stalks with the leaves still on them are cut from their bases, they’re left in the sun to wilt a bit and then hung up in a warehouse for aging. Because the leaves are still on the stalks, they continue to receive nutrients, which give them an overall earthier, bolder, richer quality that’s especially valued by particular cigar producers.
More than 10 years ago, Drew Estate managed to locate an entire barnful of stalk-cut tobacco in Connecticut, and they purchased it all, despite its relatively high price. Inside these Habano wrappers, the company utilized Brazilian Mata Fina binders and Honduran and Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos from seven distinct farms to assemble a refined range of cigars — the T52 — that are worthy of the Liga Privada name. Only the most veteran workers at Drew Estate’s Gran Fabrica factory in Estelí, Nicaragua are permitted to roll these ultra-premium sticks.
This vitola — the T52 Petite Corona — may be small, but it packs a powerful punch. Full-bodied, with medium-to-full strength, the T52 Petite Corona is dark and rustic-looking, with solid construction, a substantial draw and a perfectly even burn. Tastes that can be discovered within include vanilla, leather, hickory, oak, cinnamon/spices, cream, cashew and white pepper.
As a relatively recent (2018) addition to the T52 line, the Petite Corona is perfect for smokers who want a quick hit of the Liga Privada family’s complexity, without needing to block out several hours. Be aware that these smokes tend to be in high demand, so if the T52 Petite Coronas are in stock, it would be wise to pick up a box (or more) for your humidor.