Wrapper: U.S.A. Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazilian
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 46 Corona Gorda
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $15.99 (When released)
This cigar has had substantial humidor time. Should be interesting to see how it fared over the last 3 years.
BACKGROUND:
Released: April 2020
Cigar quantity released: Unknown
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
If you are interested in the background of this cigar, go to Halfwheel.com. Good article.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Even after 3 years, there are distinct and lovely aromas wafting from the wrapper, such as a variety of floral notes, dark chocolate, white pepper, creamy vanilla, spicy cinnamon, peanuts, cedar, malt, and espresso. Impressive.
The draw is excellent…just the way Mikey likes it. I stare at my PerfecDraw draw adjustment tool in the bull pen and it stares back. We do this several times until I begin to nod off. Don’t forget to see the just released products from Dr. Rod Kurthy.
The cigar has substantial weight for such a small cigar.
Deliciosity swings for the fences. An immediate richness of balance and depth endeavors to tangle with my palate. The small cigar blinds me with smoke. I don my 1950’s nuclear attack, anti-fission, mask made of aluminum foil and plastic taken from the package containing my first Gumby. Of course, we still had to duck and cover to make sure we were not instantly incinerated…the mask was just an additional measure to make sure we survived a direct hit of a 90-megaton bomb.
Instant karma. Complexity swarms like Passover’s 10 Plagues of Egypt…minus the volcanic eruption. I was only 4 when this occurred.
Strength is a solid medium. Nicely coordinated in a pair of argyle socks and tweed jacket.
Clearly, a deep sleep has served this blend well.
Such a relief after reviewing yesterday’s Bunny Droppings blend. Droppings, indeed.
Amazon Music. John Lennon. “Imagine.” You had to be in the mix of 1971 to clearly understand what that song meant to Boomers. Smack dab in the middle of the Vietnam war. Great despair as Nixon led the country. Boys being killed for some far-fetched reason. I never understood why returning soldiers were treated so badly. Those were my friends. They didn’t have a choice. Bad shit happened…but bad shit happens in every war. I have two friends still alive with PTSD so bad that they can barely speak. And both dealing with multiple cancers due to Agent Orange.
Well, that was a buzz kill.
The blend is nearing a masterpiece of designed brilliance. I generally do not like to praise Steve Saka as he is known all over the industry as an arrogant jerk. I’ve always lived by the following mantra: You cure cancer…. you solve the struggle in the Middle East…you get to be as arrogant as you desire. You are a great guitarist or great cigar blender, and you think that your shit don’t stink, well…Fuck you.
But he does make great cigars…sometimes.
Creamy, chocolatey, black and red pepper matched with spicy cinnamon are a ménage à trois that I can get into…the cigar spews notes of nuttiness, butter brickle, BBQ sauce, perfectly grilled Kobe beef, and a malty lager.
1-1/2” in. 25 minutes. I knew it. A gorgeous slow roll.
Transitions are on a Slip N Slide. The finish is a leveled playing field. Like Goldilocks said, “Just right.”
I swear this blend knows exactly how to hit my G Spot. I’m kvelling.
“Aqualung.” Jethro Tull. Occasionally, Curved Air would find themselves crossing paths with a mega band of the 70’s and we’d veer from our headlining tour to be support for acts like Jethro Tull or Deep Purple or Black Sabbath. As everyone knows, Ian Anderson did not approve of drugs. His bandmates would visit our dressing room and smoke hash with us before the concert. Twice, Anderson came into our dressing room screaming at his guys while they ran out of the other door. Both times raging at us for allowing it. We told him to fuck off…we were not babysitters. He told us we would never support him again. Boo hoo. His bandmates were fun…Ian was a human tampon.
The char line is a perfectly dead nuts.
Oh yeah, Happy Father’s Day to you. An occasion that is several notches below Mother’s Day. We take the hits and keep on moving.
“Stay With Me.” Rod Stewart and The Faces. Great band. Never forgave Stewart for ditching his boys to go solo and play with session guys. The rawness of The Faces made the band.
The blend is like having a tether to your binky.
Strength maintains a nice easy going medium.
Each puff brings the heat. Nothing linear within a block’s radius.
2-1/2” burned. 40 minutes. Grandpa likes. 3” to savor.
A wonderful morning cigar full of abundance and hope. (That’s from the Bible…I don’t remember which one…I’ll drag out my Torah and look. Be back in a few hours).
The flavor profile has broadened significantly since the reviews it received after its release. Wondrous nuances find their way home that were locked into submission 3 years ago.
Strength reaches a laid-back medium/full. No loss of vision or bowels.
I am duly impressed by the construction and the burn. Whether I’m typing, kicking back and watching the different bird species fighting for the nest on our porch, or spacing out on the music, the cigar refuses to go out…a perfect burn.
I dry boxed this cigar for 24 hours and it is firm and a delight. I gave the Bunny Droppings the same opportunity and it caved in like unrequited love. It lay there like an ancient used condom. (Don’t ask).
The tobacco notes are screaming laughter. Like watching “Gone With The Wind” in reverse while frying on some good acid. The movie is much more watchable this way.
In high school, I worked as the steamboat captain at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. Not far from Disneyland. It was the first theme park in the U.S. The Park bought a pair of matched swans. They glided across the lagoon in splendor. They were mean and loved to kill ducks and geese by grabbing their necks and breaking their backs. It caused serious distress among my passengers when they saw the poor animals spinning out of control in the water as they died.
One employee saw the giant swans out of the water, on the grassy knoll, and approached to taunt them. These massive fuckers spread their wings until they became Condors with a 6-foot reach and would rise to the height of 5 foot tall and chased the employee while he screamed like a little girl.
The cigar is on cruise control…in that it continues to increase the peace as it matures with every puff taken. My palate is flooded with flavors and subtleties. Just perfect.
2-1/4” in. 60 minutes of burn time.
Nubbing is a requisite.
Back in the mid-70’s, the British motorway had rest stops every 25 miles. They had a 24-hour cafeteria that was a god send for touring bands late at night. Crossed paths with Pink Floyd one night. We were the only folks in the place. We ate the horrible food while telling road stories and laughing our heads off. Passing joints underneath the tables while employees watched in wonder.
The Liga Privada Year of the Rat 2020 stood the test of time. A superb blend enhanced by aging. What a wonderful opportunity this has been. Thrilling.
The cigar finishes at 80 minutes. Every minute full of enjoyment and pleasure.
RATING: 96
Discover more from Cigar Reviews by the Katman
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
