Liga Privada Undercrown Robusto has more the taste of an “everyday” cigar than anything else – not something you would break out for a truly special occasion, but a decent smoke nonetheless. That seems a bit strange, though, when you consider it is fairly expensive at nearly $7 a pop. Heavy and firmly packed, it has a ring gauge of 54 and a length of about five inches. A creation of the near mythical Drew Estate, the story goes this cigar was first made by employees for their own enjoyment when they were not allowed to smoke the hugely popular Liga Privada because of low wrapper availability. Once the cigar became an “inner-office” hit, the rest is history.
As you start to enjoy the Liga Privada Undercrown Robusto, you are sure to notice the cigar’s creamy rich flavor – the product of a unique Mexican wrapper aged for more than 4 weeks resulting in a higher blend of natural sugar content. Part of the magic is the spicy Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan long-fillers and T52 Connecticut cured Habano binder. This gives the Liga Privada Undercrown Robusto a smoke with a complex, awesome taste – one that will leave you wanting more.
One of the reasons I say this strikes me as an everyday cigar is that while it is definitely a worthwhile smoke, it has an unrefined, almost primal odor – like a barnyard after a day-long thunderstorm, but with an undeniable sweetness. My senses are reeling with each draw, trying to comprehend a blend of spicy and mild peppery earth flavor with some coffee thrown in for good measure. Then next thing you know, my palate is detecting herbs and pepper lurking in the background. As the burn continues – very slowly, I might add,and enjoyably so – here comes a surprise: a mild freshness in the aftertaste. Then more wood, more peppery spiceness, more pleasure.
About halfway through the cigar, the Liga Privada Undercrown Robusto starts to give up its secrets like a broken Cold War era Soviet spy with more sweetness, herbs, pepper. The freshness in the aftertaste is getting more pronounced. Nearly 90 minutes later, with the cigar all but gone, I am still tasting a surprising blend of cedar, pepper, herbs and some sweetness with a fresh and peppery aftertaste.
My final conclusion? The Undercrown is a decent, enjoyable smoke. I would not bring it out on a first date; rather, enjoy it with your best buds during Monday Night Football, pairing it with a good dark beer.