Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Novillo (6 x 52)
Purchase Link: Mombacho Liga Maestro
LIGA MAESTRO REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: Buttery cocoa and spearmint come out swinging. Two inches in and the ash is stacking like dimes. Just as the smoke gets a bit chewy, some floral notes keep the flavors bright.
The buttery cocoa is coming in heavier in the second third and I'm all about it because the temperature outside is beginning to chill (for California, so I'm not looking for any sympathy). Chocolate stout.
The final third returns to floral notes mixed with fresh herbs. As it comes to its conclusion, rye and honey leave me with some sweet spice.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Pairing Suggestion: Stout
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
LIGA MAESTRO REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: I found this cigar enjoyable, though I didn't find it complex or full of transitions. The first half was mild with sweet bread, creaminess, cedar, oak, cereal grain, and slight hay. There was a slight amount of spice on the finish. The flavors went well together. The second half was more of the same, but with a big addition of cocoa.
Construction-wise, the draw was slightly on the snug side. The burn got a little wavy at times, but always corrected itself. I didn't find anything at all offensive or bad about this cigar. It just didn't bring a 'wow' factor for me. I'd try other vitolas of the same cigar to see if one of them pops more.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like 'em mild and creamy
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
LIGA MAESTRO REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: This week’s cigar is either a Toro or possibly double Robusto size. The wrapper is medium brown in color and smooth. The construction of this stick looks meticulous. The cold draw seems to try and keep the profile hidden, offering only light tobacco notes and a faint sweetness. It’s a little tough getting air through this cigar too.
With smoke rolling, I’m tasting some oak, green apple and a very light white pepper spice. There is a sweet overtone to the entire mix, which I’m a fan of. Smoke production is stellar and the ash looks as if it’s going to hang around a while.
Midway through and I am getting sweet cedar rather than oak, fresh grass rather than green apple, and a hint at some baking spices completely replaces the pepper from the first section. Basically, this middle section is entirely different from the beginning of the smoke. Unfortunately some of the smoke production has disappeared. The ash is still holding solid however. As I approach the final portion of this cigar, I am tasting the addition of some fresh bread notes and a touch of citrus in the finish.
Moving into the final third and the oak notes have become stronger along with a much more citrus dominated profile finish. There are also notes of natural tobacco and white pepper in the retro-hale. Smoke production has returned is full force to end this on a good note.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Simple, medium bodied cigars offering moderate nuances
Pairing Suggestion: Martini or gin and tonic
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Fiver
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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