Short and fat, the Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9 Flying Pig gets its colorful name from a cigar seen in an old tobacco sales catalog from 1895 (although it should be noted the Liga Privada Pigs also feature a prominent pigtailed cap.) But you could just as easily say that these sticks are as rare as a flying pig because, with the committed and loyal cult following they’ve amassed, it can be very hard to find them!
For those who don’t know, the Liga Privada line was originally not developed for sale to the public, but for consumption by just one man (and his pals): Steve Saka, the former president of Drew Estate. Indeed, these cigars’ bands are clearly stamped “HECHO EXCLUSIVAMENTA PARA EL JEFE,” which translates to “manufactured exclusively for the boss.” (“Liga Privada” means “private blend,” and the “No. 9” in the line’s name comes from the original ninth formulation chosen for its flawlessness out of dozens tested for this extremely limited-run production.)
While the Liga Privada range was initially issued for sale in 2008, the Flying Pig was a later addition to the line, released on a limited basis in 2009 (just 2,000 boxes were made) and then re-introduced in 2016.
Comprised of a variety of some of the world’s best tobaccos — Nicaraguan and Honduran Cuban-seed filler leaves from seven individual farms, plantation-grown Brazilian Mata Fina binders and almost-black, hand-fermented Connecticut Broadleaf Oscuro wrappers — the Liga Privada No. 9 Flying Pigs are assembled by just four pairs of veteran rollers at Drew Estate’s Gran Fabrica factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, keeping these smokes consistent from stick to stick. The rolled cigars are then aged for a minimum of one year. The result is one of the most unique and powerful creations Drew Estate has turned out; the company likens the Flying Pig to its other Liga Privada smokes, but “on steroids.”
Affording firm construction, an ideal draw and an even burn, the Flying Pig is extremely well-balanced and highly complex — in short, these are full-bodied, medium-to-full-strength cigars that will be thoroughly enjoyed by experienced smokers. Tastes to be discovered amidst the white, clean, cedary/woody smoke that these sticks put out include cocoa, butter, coffee, pepper, nuts — and a floral note or two.
Packaged in boxes of 12, the Liga Privada No. 9 Flying Pigs are some of the rarest cigars Drew Estate has produced. In fact, the company states that they are strictly a “seasonal product.” So if they’re in stock, get your order in, because who knows when you’ll see a Flying Pig again!