CWNews
Steve Saka on Liga Privada
This piece first appeared on a thread in the Review Forum of the Cigar Weekly Community Forums in response to members' reviews of the Liga Privada #9. It is published here for all to read, as it's quite informative.
Editor
A few quick points:
1) LP No. 9 is not anything like the Chateau Real blend.
Now whether you think it is good or bad, that is one thing, everyone has the right to their personal likes and dislikes, but anyone that thinks the tobacco is the same as a CR needs to get their tastebuds checked out with a medical professional.
2) I would love to make a LP No. 9 in a smaller ring gauge, but it is not possible. With five different filler tobaccos, it really isn't plausible to make anything narrower than a 48 ring guage long filler.
3) Greed is not an issue. Hey, don't get me wrong, I love the cash, but LP#9 is limited due to the capa (wrapper leaf, Ed.)- we only use Broadleaf No. 1 Darks which basically restricts us to just 2 top leaves per plant and requires 22 - 24 months to ferment. Plus we limit the production to just 225 per day per pair and the QC (quality control, Ed.) is ultra strict. Best case scenario is that some day we can produce 300k units of this stick a year, we are working towards this goal. IMO the price is fair - other cigars of this caliber sell for much, much more.
I can understand that it may be too expensive for everyone's wallet and I can completely understand why folks might wish it were $4, but it just can't be the same cigar at that price. I wish someone would sell me a Shimano Stella spinning reel for $99.00, but they can't. Sorry.
4) We have been working on two more additions to the Liga Privada line.
One is currently coded as "LP27" - it's as equally complex and with as rare of materials as the No. 9, but somewhat stronger, more peppery, very pre-94-Cubano-like, in my opinion. It uses a unique sungrown Habano capa crop grown exclusive for us that has proven to be a real f'ing pain in the ass to ferment. We should have thrown in the towel on it, but I am in love with this damn rojo leaf, so we are going to get it right even if it takes us another year. Like the No. 9 it will be limited and around the same price range - not exactly sure of the price, because the way we price our cigars in not based on what we think they should sell for, but rather based on their actual costs plus a margin. So it could end up being a little cheaper or a little more - we won't know until we can produce a sizeable batch.
The other (new cigar) is called is currently code named "LPR" and this blend we got pat, and we will actually start production on next month. This is a really strong smoke meant to serve as a "daily" for nicotine junkies like myself. It is not as refined or pretty as the LP#9, but it is super tasty, perfect for guys who like bold cigars (this is why it is going to be a Liga Privada,) and depending on the final packaging costs (still working on that) I believe this one will cost under $6 MSRP.
5) And finally, just so there is no confusion: the Liga Privada line of smokes has nothing to do with price or market segment. What the brand represents is what -I- personally think is a great cigar, one that I smoke for my own personal enjoyment, one that I am confident in and proud to share with my friends, family and peers, yaddy yaddy ya. Once we wrap up these two blends, I think we may start working on a milder liga... something really sophisticated... who knows.
1) LP No. 9 is not anything like the Chateau Real blend.
Now whether you think it is good or bad, that is one thing, everyone has the right to their personal likes and dislikes, but anyone that thinks the tobacco is the same as a CR needs to get their tastebuds checked out with a medical professional.
2) I would love to make a LP No. 9 in a smaller ring gauge, but it is not possible. With five different filler tobaccos, it really isn't plausible to make anything narrower than a 48 ring guage long filler.
3) Greed is not an issue. Hey, don't get me wrong, I love the cash, but LP#9 is limited due to the capa (wrapper leaf, Ed.)- we only use Broadleaf No. 1 Darks which basically restricts us to just 2 top leaves per plant and requires 22 - 24 months to ferment. Plus we limit the production to just 225 per day per pair and the QC (quality control, Ed.) is ultra strict. Best case scenario is that some day we can produce 300k units of this stick a year, we are working towards this goal. IMO the price is fair - other cigars of this caliber sell for much, much more.
I can understand that it may be too expensive for everyone's wallet and I can completely understand why folks might wish it were $4, but it just can't be the same cigar at that price. I wish someone would sell me a Shimano Stella spinning reel for $99.00, but they can't. Sorry.
4) We have been working on two more additions to the Liga Privada line.
One is currently coded as "LP27" - it's as equally complex and with as rare of materials as the No. 9, but somewhat stronger, more peppery, very pre-94-Cubano-like, in my opinion. It uses a unique sungrown Habano capa crop grown exclusive for us that has proven to be a real f'ing pain in the ass to ferment. We should have thrown in the towel on it, but I am in love with this damn rojo leaf, so we are going to get it right even if it takes us another year. Like the No. 9 it will be limited and around the same price range - not exactly sure of the price, because the way we price our cigars in not based on what we think they should sell for, but rather based on their actual costs plus a margin. So it could end up being a little cheaper or a little more - we won't know until we can produce a sizeable batch.
The other (new cigar) is called is currently code named "LPR" and this blend we got pat, and we will actually start production on next month. This is a really strong smoke meant to serve as a "daily" for nicotine junkies like myself. It is not as refined or pretty as the LP#9, but it is super tasty, perfect for guys who like bold cigars (this is why it is going to be a Liga Privada,) and depending on the final packaging costs (still working on that) I believe this one will cost under $6 MSRP.
5) And finally, just so there is no confusion: the Liga Privada line of smokes has nothing to do with price or market segment. What the brand represents is what -I- personally think is a great cigar, one that I smoke for my own personal enjoyment, one that I am confident in and proud to share with my friends, family and peers, yaddy yaddy ya. Once we wrap up these two blends, I think we may start working on a milder liga... something really sophisticated... who knows.
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Steve Saka is president of Drew Estate with an accomplished history of cigar discussion and writings in the world wide web environment beginning with his informative Cigar Nexus website. 