Liga Privada T-52 Toro

Drew Estate created the Liga Privada T52 Toro "stalk cut habano" for Steve Saka's personal enjoyment and this cigar was released in 2009 at the New Orleans IPCPR show. A departure from the flavored cigars and budget sticks Drew Estate is known for, the Liga Privada T52 is quite complex. A multi-country blend of tobaccos the core of this cigar is the Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan filler. The Brazilian Mata Fina binder is grown by Jose Fuego. The wrapper is a new wrapper never before used called the "stalk cut habano".

Initial Thoughts:
Man this really is a beautiful cigar. Rich, dark and super oily. Made firm but gives just a bit under pressure.

First Third:
Unfortunately this first third has been quite disappointing. As a huge Liga fan, I really expect the best out of each and every cigar. More often than not, that is exactly what you get, but tonight this cigar is just not there. There is a real lack of flavor and complexity in this example of the blend. Even the construction is a little off, having to correct it several times throughout the first 15-20 minutes of the cigar. Even the girlfriend sitting next to me comments that although it doesn't smell bad to her, it almost smells like there is "nothing to the cigar." She may have a better palate than me, even without having ever smoked a cigar! The flavor is just dull, consisting of hay and a distinct harshness that is very unfamiliar to the cigar.

Second Third:
The construction problems have dulled quite a bit and I'm at least getting to sit outside in the nice Ohio weather and relax without having to constantly touch up. The smell coming from the cigar has gotten a bit sweeter, more normal for what I am used to, but honestly the flavor hasn't really shaped up. Having recently just gotten this particular cigar from a trade, I have to wonder if it has been improperly stored as it just tastes dry, like the oils and goodness have just dried up. The hay remains the predominant taste with bits of pepper popping in and out. On occasion there is a bit of a deep chocolatey flavor that is there for just a moment.

Final Third:
About an inch away from the band at this point and just not enjoying the cigar at all. It is burning hot and jagged and completely atypical of the Liga Privada blend. Let it go just shortly after, and headed back inside frustrated after a poor experience with one of my favorite cigars.

Overall I would rate this particular cigar an 82.
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Great review, I agree with your assessment. I like 9 so much better!!!
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Wow, sorry to hear you had a bad experience. I had been hearing that the recent batches of T52s hadn't been quite up to par and needed a little time when I bought one a while ago. Might have just been a little green still? I think I'm gonna let mine rest a bit longer before I smoke it. Luckily its buried quite deep so I should be able to forget about it for awhile.
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I have about 4 or 5 buried in the humi, I guess i'll let em sit awhile.
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Not a fan of the T-52 line.
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FYI, there is no Dominican tobacco in the T-52.
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Really? Ironically, that is just a synopsis I pulled from a retailer.
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Yep. Positive. Unfortunately, that misinformation is still all over the place. I certainly don't blame you for it.

From Steve Saka in January of 2010:

Hope that helps clear it up some.
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I love the T-52 and the Toro tends to be my go to Vitola for this stick but I too have noticed that consistency has been a little bit of an issue the last couple of months. Hopefully it will be a short lived issue as these tend to be my go to smoke.
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Huh, very interesting! Thanks for the info! :-)

Yeah, I've had several before this that were delicious. Tonight was a major disappointment, as I only smoke them on a rare occasion.
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I enjoy both the T-52 and T-9. I still have 3 of the T52 pigs that I'm waiting for just the right time to light up.
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Not a fan, bought into the hype :-)
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I like the t52 line but the toro size is a little big. I enjoy every other sizes though
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was wondering if I had the chance to try a LP9 or T52 which one I should try first.

I think I may give the 9 a go before the T52.

Great review brother.
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T52 if you like spicy.
:-)
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