Liga Privada T52 (no box code) Review

[rmill3r]

Cigar: Liga Privada T52 Belicoso

Review date: 10/16/2014

So I heard NCs can be used for this contest? If so, great, I've been meaning to revisit the T52. For those who don't know, it's a hyped-up fad cigar that--at least until lately--has been difficult to find and comes with a bit of prestige just based on the "Drew Estate" name alone. Next to a few select Arturo Fuentes and Crowned Heads, it might be one of the few non-Cubans I actually still enjoy.

Most of the Liga Privada line (No. 9, Unicos, etc.) are bland to my palate. They are overly simple and just too dark tasting--like burnt coffee beans and dry earth. I remember T52 having a more complex profile that jived with me a little more, so let's see what it's like returning to it . . .

First third

Pre-light inspection shows a very impressive cigar. It's much darker than other T52s I've had in the past (my first few T52s I would definitely classify as "natural" yet leaning a little toward colorado or maduro); this one is pretty much maduro, full-stop, yet it has a nice reddish hue to it. It's oily and shines wonderfully and is rather toothy as well. There is a little give to it when you squeeze it.

The cold aroma is earthy, woodsy and dirt. It's rather muted, actually, and not necessarily a good example of what's to come. I snip only a little off the top of the belicoso head, because I tend to find Drew Estate cigars to have too loose of draws. Sure enough, it has a perfect, medium-open draw and the cold flavors are earth, cocoa and cream, which is much nicer than the initial aroma.

After lighting up I'm greeted with an overall creamy, nutty and chocolate profile that has a distinctly intense black pepper finish, which is only made more striking in the retrohale. This is spicier than I remember my other T52s being, but it's still not overpowering, which is something I can always appreciate.

Second third

One thing I notice is that the burn on this cigar is rather erratic. I had to touch up at least twice, but unless touching up the cigar negatively affects the flavor immediately afterward, it's one issue that just doesn't bother me.

The smoke, like most Drew Estate cigars, is immense. It's the quintessential "chimney stack" of a cigar. On one hand, I find the excessive amounts of smoke annoying just because of how much it occupies the area around you, especially when you're trying to enjoy the cigar while talking to a friend or doing some other activity like reading or watching something, but at the same time, the aroma of the smoke was just wonderful and perfume-like.

Everything remained rather creamy, but instead of chocolate there was a transition to nutty and bready notes. I got a lot of pretzel and crackers at this point while the spice nearly entirely diminished. There's also some nice milk coffee in here as well, as if you dipped those crackers in your morning cup.

As I move along the second third and near the last third, the coffee note becomes much darker and richer, like an espresso note. Also, the smoke from this point until the end (unlike the beginning) is very dry. I'm not a big fan of this personally, but it really doesn't detract from the cigar either.

Last third

I'm simply not a fan of the ending, and I don't remember my other T52s being this way. The smoke becomes way too hot and "dirty." I get a lot of fresh-cut grass, burnt coffee beans, and dry earthy tones. Also, on a construction level, the cigar becomes way too spongy and burns my lips much sooner than I assumed it would.

You were doing so well, T52; why'd you have to bail out at the last minute?

Conclusion

Although it was a little disappointing in the end, I would still stand by the Liga Privada T52 as being an example of NC cigars done right. It's complex, rich and flavorful, and like many Drew Estate products, constructed wonderfully. Still, the deeper I dig into CCs, the more disparaging the differences between the them and NCs become.

Score: 88

[Mckucci]

I enjoy the T52 as well, I have a box of No.9's in my humidor, I actually really enjoy them. They are the only two drew estate cigars i'll smoke!

[bradbrennan]

Great pics!

[CigarEnthusiast]

I had the same problem when I tried a T-52. Thanks for the review!

[stunod]

Excellent review.

[Carts]

Cool review, i like those bands.

[MashTea]

Great review thanks.

I haven't tried any non cc's yet & reviews like this make me really want to dip my toes into the non-Cuban world of cigars. Though usually I just end up saying "what's the point, you have cc's at your disposal" (not trying to be a snob). Maybe I'll go see if I can find one of these guys.

[rmill3r]

Great review thanks.

I haven't tried any non cc's yet & reviews like this make me really want to dip my toes into the non-Cuban world of cigars. Though usually I just end up saying "what's the point, you have cc's at your disposal" (not trying to be a snob). Maybe I'll go see if I can find one of these guys.

Some are certainly worth trying but not exactly worth going out of your way for.

[CdnLimitada]

My throat hurts just looking at that stick.

[Habana Mike]

Thanks for the review, nice job.

While I have not smoked many NC cigars for at least the past 2-3 years, I've recently been involved in a blind tasting rating/review exercise of NC cigars and out of 20+ smokes so far the LP #9 rated right at the top for me.

Had a few other surprises along the way, will most likely do a write-up at some point....

[Optic101]

Nice review and pics.

[earthson]

Great review.

Shitty cigar.

[CaptainQuintero]

Top stuff, like the corona viva as the corona gorda format is much more friendly to my mouth lol.

Great cigar for something vastly different when you need just that

[jwr0201]

Love the T52, No.9, Undercrown and Undercrown Shade. Keep the Rats!

[squizz]

Great review. My friends and I used to debate which was better, the 9 or 52. For me it was always the 9. But ever since i come over to the dark side, it not longer matters

[HarveyBoulevard]

Smoked the T-52 last night. Been a while and I have a couple boxes. Probably going to have a No.9 tonight. I enjoy these for a change of pace. Good flavor, excellent construction and burn. Beautiful ash that holds a mile. They are probably 5+ years old if I recall correctly.

[dicko]

hi bro i had one last night. was tasty enough but very simple. i prefer padron if i am going for an NC. great review

[rmill3r]

Smoked the T-52 last night. Been a while and I have a couple boxes. Probably going to have a No.9 tonight. I enjoy these for a change of pace. Good flavor, excellent construction and burn. Beautiful ash that holds a mile. They are probably 5+ years old if I recall correctly.

It's been a while now actually. I've been meaning to revisit these.

[BBS]

I enjoy the occasional #9. The rest.....not so much.

[MIKA27]

Wonderful review - I love the T52 also but the last third for me always burns too hot and leaves an awful taste. That's when I turf it and not feel bad as overall, it's a nice cigar.

[skalls]

I think the T52 is the better cigar compared to the #9, but I like the #9 better. Will buy more of each but probably won't get any boxes of them.

Mika, I've had the same issue with it getting hot and grubby towards the end on both the 9 and 52 but not when it's the churchill (7x54).

I'd rather spend an extra $40-50 and get a box of Padron 1964 Churchils instead though.

[ThePolskiOgorki]

Nice review. I have one of these I bought out of curiosity on a trip to Florida a year and a half ago I forgot about. I think I might give it a try this week.