Drew Estate's Liga Privada Serie Papas Bravas Robusto packs a punch with its closed foot and pigtail cap - this box-pressed 5"x54 stick makes you work for that first draw. Priced at $194.99 for 20 cigars, the Nicaraguan-Honduran core wrapped in Connecticut Broadleaf creates thick smoke even before the burn hits midpoint. Watch that closed foot take extra fire to light, then brace for espresso grounds and black pepper through the nose.
The closed foot demands extra torch time. Initial puffs push earthy soil and bitter cocoa through tight draw. Smoke output stays minimal until burn passes wrapper's folded section. Retrohale stings with white pepper sharpness.
Draw opens up as burn reaches main body. Heavy espresso notes dominate, backed by faint leather undertones. Ash holds firm in 1-inch segments. Watch for uneven burn lines - needs two touch-ups in medium humidity (65% RH).
Sweetness emerges near band removal - think burnt caramel rather than sugary. Smoke turns denser but throat irritation builds. Stop at 1.5" nub unless you enjoy tar bite. Total smoke time clocks 68 minutes with purposeful pacing.
Rolled at Drew Estate's Estelí factory using hybrid technique: Nicaraguan torcedores apply traditional methods to the Brazilian binder. The closed foot requires triple priming - wrapper leaf gets folded under before capping. Limited to 5,000 boxes annually since 2022 launch.
