Liga Undercrown

When I review and rate a cigar, I like to do as much background research as I can so that I can present my opinion based on a foundation of knowledge and objectivity. With this in mind, I spent a few extra minutes today looking up as much information as I could about the origins of the cigar I just had the pleasure to smoke – the Liga Undercrown. The information was quite fascinating, at least to any cigar aficionado.

The Undercrown Story –
The story goes that when the demand for the Drew Estates Liga Privada became overwhelming a couple of years ago, the rollers were asked to quit smoking the Liga line. The rollers and blenders then came together to create the Undercrown with tobacco that was bought for Liga Privada, but not specifically going to be used in the blend. Therefore, the cigar is not intentionally a replacement for the Liga Privada line, but an entirely new blend with a unique flavor profile that the factory rollers themselves like to smoke.

Statistics –
Name: Liga Undercrown Belicoso
Country: Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut and Cured Sun Grown Habano
Wrapper: San Andrés Negro, Mexico
Size: Belicoso
Ring Gauge: 52
Length: 6 Inches

Appearance –
The wrapper is a dark brown, almost black in color, and seems to soak in all the natural oils and sugars of the tobacco. With its light spider-like veins that can be barely seen through the almost paper thin wrapper, the leaf appears that it would be brittle to the touch, but it’s not. The stogie is wrapped superbly, but I just wasn’t feeling the overall look and feel; the wrapper color was too muted and lacked a freshness that should come with premium tobacco.

Construction –
The Undercrown may have the same binder and/or filler that the Liga Pravida has, but it seems very different. As it smokes, the ash is white with a little gray, but holds its shape well. The high grade of vintage tobacco that is used is evident in the creamy sheen that is left on the lips before lighting up, and all through this very relaxing smoke.

Burn –
One of the great things about this cigar is that it smolders. The amount of smoke that is produced in the act of enjoying this stogie is quite noticeable. It is evident in all of my photos that there is a constant white stream of smoke that lazily comes off the cigar. However, the burn is jagged at times and needs a helping hand from the trusty torch. Yes, there are maintenance issues when smoking this cigar, but they’re not crazy, and definitely no cannoning took place.

Flavor –
Yummy!!! I smoke cigars for the taste, and this smoke has that – lots of good solid flavor. The Undercrown has a very consistent roasted coffee flavor that is covered in deep dark chocolate overtones. There is no letup on the flavor, due in part to the very well-layered Habano filler tobacco that is rich in taste. I agree with other reviews of this cigar that it is not a Liga Privada or a T52, but a smoke that definitely can stand on its own merit. Without question, if you are looking for a complex medium body cigar that would be a first choice in any aficionado book, this would be the one.

Finish –
To the nub I smoked it I did. (Said in my best over-the-top Yoda voice!) Great ending, and even with having to put a little work into the smoking, I really liked it. I overlooked the inconvenience that took place in the burn, because by the time I got to the end, I had leaned back in my easy chair and lost a few moments in cigar bliss.