OPINION: LP no. 9 or T52 Robustos or Toros?

[hoser45]

I'm looking at finding a box of Liga Privada #9 or T52 in either Robusto or Toro and want opinions on those who've tried BOTH vitolas.

9 vs T52:
Seems like many are split on #9 vs T52 but sounds like T52 is a bit more full bodied and peppery. Is this true? What's your favorite from those who've tried both?

SIZE:
Which vitola between Robusto and Toro would you recommend or is flavor profile the same in both lines between sizes?

 

[BrandonP]

The size part I think they smoke the same flavor wise. Just depends on how much time you have. I would say they are both pretty equal in the full bodied department. The T52 is more peppery IMO while the No.9 has more of the sweet Nica characteristics.

 

[javajunkie]

one of each? win/ win!

 

[podman28]

You are probably going to have better luck finding Liga 9 than T52 at this point because they haven't really produced T52 in about a year. They are planning on releasing some next month from what I've heard.

 

[heavyd]

I've been trying to pick a champ between the 9 and the 52 for 2 years and have had no luck. It's like trying to choose between a Porsche and a Ferrari (not that I have ever compared those cars, but I can imagine, er... dream ).

Just buy samplers and alternate. That's what I do. I've heard the new batch of 52's is especially good, with extra dark wrappers. I think it was JD who mentioned the darker wrapper, but not sure.

 

[Clint]

T52!
Do some research on the stalk cut wrapper, which is truly a thing of beauty, and serves to balance the cigar nicely. Sets the T52 apart from the #9.

The time consuming process involves cutting the entire tobacco stalk at ground level, and hanging them upside down to help preserve the oils and sugars....The wrapper ends up extremely thick, rich, and sweet.

The binder is made by J Fuego...Need I saw more?!

The T52 is actually smoother than the #9" IMHO...Both are great smokes, though.

 

[sofc]

Biased a little but older #9 is fantastic and T52 is great all the time.

 

[hoser45]

I like the 9 better than the 52! Set this up as a poll!

How do I do that?

 

[JayD]

Mmmm this is indeed the eternal question. I definitely alternate between the two. The new T52 are extremely dark compared to the past and appear almost maduro. I keep putting off smoking them just because they are so damn pretty!

 

[OB-Left]

Personal preference, but I like the #9 over the T52.

 

[hoser45]

Would anyone consider the no. 9 a morning, noon or night smoke, where as the T52 is more of an evening after a full stomach cigar?

 

[hoser45]

Personal preference, but I like the #9 over the T52.

Can you explain why? Is the T52 too peppery for your palate, ect?

 

[hutts]

I like fresh LP9's. Not that they are bad with age, I just like the white pepper spice you get from them fresh. Opinions will very of course.

 

[strife]

T52!
Do some research on the stalk cut wrapper, which is truly a thing of beauty, and serves to balance the cigar nicely. Sets the T52 apart from the #9.

The time consuming process involves cutting the entire tobacco stalk at ground level, and hanging them upside down to help preserve the oils and sugars....The wrapper ends up extremely thick, rich, and sweet.

The binder is made by J Fuego...Need I saw more?!

The T52 is actually smoother than the #9" IMHO...Both are great smokes, though.

Hmmm, I remember doing this years ago with my plants.

 

[javajunkie]

Hmmm, I remember doing this years ago with my plants.

keeps the oregano and basil garden fresh!

 

[ssaka]

Just want to expand on something JayD said...

He happened to join me for our Xmas Party event at Twins Smokeshop and it was on the very day that I had received an air shipment of the 1st batch of ready to smoke T52s from the Y2009 T52 Stalk Cut Habano ligero crop so he and a few others got a few of them unbanded to sample.

Anyhow, I want everyone to be aware that the Y2009 crop was extremely thick, extremely oily, and an incredible pain in the ass to ferment - it took us far longer than we ever thought it would and is the reason why there was such a T52 shortage in Y2011.

Now for the good news - the cigars are finally ready to start being imported into the US again. You should start to see these showing up by late January on LP Authorized Account shelves. Also, they are exceptional in flavor in our opinion, the wrapper really turned out amazing.

Now for the confusing news - they are darker in hue than ever before, in fact they are the darkest Havana seed leaf I have ever seen on a cigar outside of a couple of the Cuban Limited Editions. They are glorious looking and tasting, but I can see how some consumers may wonder if we changed the wrapper to a maduro seed one.

We did NOT - this is 100% T52 Stalk Cut Habano grown in CT - no material changes whatsoever, it just ended up fermenting darker given its exceptional body and the time in the pilones it required to be right.

Some of our sales weenies argued we should have arrested the pilones earlier so as to maintain the colorado-maduro with a rojo hue achieve in the Y2007 & Y2008 crops, but we in the factory ignored them and did what was best for the flavor, aroma and burn of the leaf. We have always taken the standpoint that LPs are for the true connoisseur cigar smokers and that how a cigar tastes and smokes is the primary concern over any other. We smoke with our palate and nose, not out eyes...

Am I telling you they are ugly? Absolutely not, they are glorious looking, but considerably darker than any T52 before them. We are still fermenting some of the Y2009 crop so we wont know if this uber-dark color will be the case for the entire crop year, but I would say it is likely given the leaf we have reviewed to date.

As for the Y2010 crop, it is way too early too tell.

BR,

Steve Saka
Prez, Drew Estate

ps: We'd appreciate it if you would share this info if you happen to see a question about the T52 color on another forum or overhear it in a cigar shop. It is impossible for us to inform everyone, so thanks for your help.

pps: No. 9 or T52 blend... hmmm, that is like asking a father to choose which is his favorite son. It depends on the day and who last annoyed me... ;>

 

[hoser45]

Thanks Steve for the info. Can not wait!!

Are you done with the T52 Flying Pigs or will there be a new run made with this new batch? :smokingbo

 

[Jfire]

#9 corona doble then T52 toro

 

[javajunkie]

thanks as always for giving the inside scoop, steve! and also making a good call in deference to the smokers; we are not in this to just look at them, they have to get burned up! look forward to these. o)

 

[ssaka]

Thanks Steve for the info. Can not wait!!

Are you done with the T52 Flying Pigs or will there be a new run made with this new batch? :smokingbo

Right now there is no plans to release anymore No. 9 or T52 Flying Pigs - we only have three pairs that currently make this format trained to our standards for this vitola and all of their efforts have been focused on make the Unico Feral Flying Pigs currently.

There is another Flying Pig vitola that we have crafted in very small batches called the "Flying Piglet" - it is a classic turn of the century perfecto format, but is quite biting and unrefined imo... I like it, but we don't have any plans to commercially release it at this time because of its pequeno size to cost equation. Going to try doing them in a cruder finishing style and see if that reduces the production labor and cost per unit.

I need to talk with JD and Nick about future FP releases - there are a lot of moving parts to get these perfectos right, plus we don't want to rush anything.

Right now we are focused on getting the FFPs out the door, getting T52 and Dirty Rats back onto store shelves on a regular basis and to finally start delivery of the L40s we should have delivered late last year to all the stores. The Y2009 crop really set us back schedule wise, so getting these issues resolved are our top priority.

If there is any one single LP project I would like to see come to market in Y2012 over another it is the Unico UF-13, this is such a great blend and really deserves to be released imo. The issue is that it utilizes the T52 capa also, so we need to get on track with existing products first.

BR,

Steve
Still Prez, Drew Estate