Liga Privada No. 9 Corona Viva (6 x 46) Cigar

Liga Privada translates to "private blend" — Drew Estate originally crafted the cigar for its own humidors rather than for resale, and it became one of the most celebrated small-batch, ultra-premium blends in the company's history. The Corona Viva is the first new size added to the core Liga Privada No. 9 range since the line launched in 2008, debuting at Cigars International's CIGARfest in May 2018 before reaching Drew Diplomat retailers later that year. halfwheel named it No. 17 on its Top 25 Cigars of 2018.

A dark, oily Connecticut Broadleaf Oscuro wrapper over a Brazilian Mata Fina binder and Cuban-seed long-fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras, with extra ligero worked into the core so the slimmer format hits as hard as its bigger siblings. Handmade at Drew Estate's La Gran Fabrica in Estelí, Nicaragua. Corona Viva format, 6 x 46. Box count: 24 cigars.

Bittersweet chocolate, espresso and dark earth carry the smoke, framed by black pepper that flares at the light, recedes mid-cigar and returns in the final third. Cedar, creaminess and a bourbon-like sweetness build on the finish, with molasses and dry cracker on the retrohale. Smoke output is enormous, and the thinner ring gauge concentrates the No. 9 profile rather than softening it.

Alcoholic: Bold bourbon or Scotch. Non-Alcoholic: Strong dark roast coffee.

Afternoon — the most accessible No. 9 vitola in terms of smoke time.