Celebrating the tenth anniversary of Liga Privada was no small task. The monumental effort at La Gran Fabrica, Drew Estate's Nicaraguan production facility, ultimately led to two gorgeous smokes, the Aniversario 10, and the H99. The "H" in this cigar's name stands for "hybrid," as the leaves inside had to be hybridized to be grown. Originally, Corojo seeds from Cuba were difficult to grow elsewhere, in places like Florida, Nicaragua, and Honduras. According to Drew Estate founder Jonathan Drew, "Growing Corojo in new climates produced mixed results and much heartache for those who chose to grow it."
But from tragedy comes innovation.
The Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 blends the best characteristics of Connecticut Broadleaf and Corojo and then adds in a Mexican San Andreas negro binder for rich flavor. The hybridized leaf keeps all the spiciness and strength you'd expect from Corojo, but can actually thrive in places where it needs to thrive. In the words of Drew Estate master blender Willy Herrera, "This leaf is unique." Expect lots of bite and spice in the beginning, leather and subtle sweetness in the middle, and a treat of black licorice or even clove at the end. Another very fine top-shelf smoke! We'd expect nothing less in a Liga Privada cigar.