Cigar Reviews

Liga Privada Dirty Rat
Liga Privada Dirty Rat

Good day, Distinguished Ruffian family. T Money back for another cigar review, just for your reading pleasure. This is a well-known cigar but has become kind of a unicorn due to availability and after-market pricing. I’m sure you all know the name and brand. As legend has it, Steve Saka created this cigar to have with his espresso while in Nicaragua. He has said to have over 50 boxes in his humidor and won’t smoke any that were made after his departure from Drew Estate. He even created the Sobremesa Short Churchill to replace this cigar so he could hoard his precious stash. I’m talking of course about the Liga Privada Unico Series Dirty Rat.

This has been a go-to early morning smoke for me, but they are hard to come by. This cigar has been aging since 2012. I have only a few left and wanted to get my notes down before I ran out. When I first started smoking cigars, finding the Unico Series on the shelves, was like finding the Holy Grail. The first one I had was the Feral Flying Pig. I’ve since stashed a couple of boxes of those away for a rainy day. The L40 was the next one I tried and being a hater of Lanceros, it didn’t do much for me. Then, this one came along. The corona size is also one that I had to grow to love and this is the one that sealed the deal for me. So without further ado, let’s get into it. It is a 5×44 Corona that comes with the same wrapper that is on the T-52. If you like the T-52, you’ll love this cigar. It has a Brazilian binder with Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. It comes in a box of 12 with an MSRP of $12, but as you know, there is a huge markup on these hard-to-find Ligas. I bought this box from Jerry’s Cigars in Tucson, back in 2012. I cut it with the trusty Palio and fired it up with the DuPont DeFi Xtreme.

Liga Privada Unico Series Dirty Rat

Starting off, the smoke output is absolutely crazy, as with all Liga Privada cigars. There is a TON of earth right off the bat. Slight amount of pepper on the retrohale, but nothing crazy. Getting further in, it has some semi-sweet chocolate coming to the forefront. The sweetness and the earth just meld really well together. The strength and body are at the lower end of medium as I reach the second third.

The second third starts to really show that semi-sweet chocolate flavor. Earth is now barely hanging on, but it is still noticeable. The retrohale is still about the same with some slight spice with a bit of cherry wood. I had a tunnel starting and had to let it go out. After letting it go out and a relight, it seemed to fix itself. It’s tough with these corona-sized cigars to fix a tunnel, but this didn’t have a problem. Strength and body are about medium for both.

Finishing up the last third, there isn’t a whole lot of change. A bit more bite on the retrohale, but that is to be expected with the smaller ring gauge. Semi-sweet chocolate,

dark earth, and a touch of leather round out the cigar. I nubbed it at about the hour and 20-minute mark.

Overall, I think the age really smoothed out this blend and melded the flavors together. I remember there being much more transitions when I first smoked the cigar. This one was crazy smooth and even the retrohale didn’t make me sneeze or eyes water as I remember the younger versions doing. I haven’t been able to find any lately, so I have no frame of comparison, other than my original notes. If you like a corona size cigar and want something with coffee in the morning, this is your go-to. Great burn, only a small issue with the tunnel and huge smoke output.

T Money score: 4/5 rebuy box. If you can find these at, or close to MSRP, grab them. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

Wrapper –  Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder – Brazilian Mata Fina

Filler – Nicaraguan & Honduran

Website: www.drewestate.com

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 pints.

  • Travis Peterson AKA T Money is the Co-Captain of the Arizona/New Mexico Chapter of Distinguished Ruffians. He started his cigar journey in 2007 and hasn’t looked back. Outside of cigars he has a passion for brewing beer, playing guitar, bowling and golf. He is also a self proclaimed grilling and smoking expert. 

20 Acre Farm From Drew Estate
20 Acre Farm Drew Estate

This 20 Acre Farm by Drew Estate took me back to when my Grandmother used to live in Hopewell Junction, NY., tons of farming areas. In fact she lived on a relatively small farm herself with my step grandfather. Beyond their land there was more and more land. The scents that filled the air, the tranquility you feel and most definitely that rich deep nourishing soil that lingers in the breeze is all around. Kind of like when I read Jonathan Drew’s (Founder and President of Drew Estate) statement regarding the 20 acre farm where they grew the tobacco in Florida. “The brand promise speaks to our love affair with this 20-acre plot of dirt in Florida that we continue to nourish year after year. Our brand promise is actually to the farm, kinda like that book [the little engine that could] we’re simply in love with that farm!” Especially WE, as cigar enthusiasts, knowing where are good tobacco comes from, we have to pay our homage to the farm lands just as Drew Estate created here with their new 20 Acre Farm release. 

Speaking of release, 20 Acre Farm made its debut on the November 2021 edition Freestyle Live. The cigar had been released as a “mystery cigar” as a part of an event package leading up to that Freestyle Live. The Florida Sun Grown tobacco was grown on Jeff Borysiewicz’s farm, he stated “The amount of fun I experienced unveiling 20 Acre Farm with Drew Estate during Freestyle Live Special Edition was intense and I’m extremely proud of the cigar” he continues on by saying “20 Acre Farm is a masterpiece that showcases our Florida Sun Grown tobacco while enhancing the sophisticated smoking characteristics of the other tobaccos in the blend, especially the Connecticut Shade Grown wrapper. As a premium cigar retailer for more than 20 years, I can’t wait to offer 20 Acre Farm to my customers and I’m looking forward to hearing what other premium tobacconists think of the cigar.” Without further a due let’s get into my review of this 20 Acre Farm. 

And just like that with my first couple of cold draws the 20 Acre Farm takes you to a place as if you were standing on some farm land (at least for me anyway). I picked up Earthy, sweet grass, very light essence of soil and almost like smelling that farm breeze that fills your nostrils. Having my palate ready; wondering what kind of journey I will be on through the enjoyment of this cigar I couldn’t wait any longer. Time to light up! 

Upon light up; I knew right away with that soft, light, creamy, cedar, earthy, citrus, white pepper notes it was going to be a mild cigar. Embarking on the 1st third of the 20 Acre Farm I was picking up citrus, my glands were activated so that saline taste was coming through, there was a sweetness that came through and not your typical sweetness but what came to mind was stevia, sometimes called candyleaf, sweetleaf or sugarleaf incase you are not familiar with stevia. It’s a different kind of sweetness yet it is a plant ground up to a powder form. Along with the current profiles I’m picking up; I also tasted an oily covering that encompassed my palate. Not a bad taste at all, more of like an oily taste that you would get if you folded an orange peel, then pinched down, and let those oils from the peel hit your palate. As I get down to that last little bit of the 1st third of 20 Acre Farm some white pepper and floral notes crept in. 

Continuing onward to the 2nd third of this wonderful Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Grown wrapper, Sun Grown Habano binder, and fillers from Esteli and Jalapa as well as Florida Sun Grown leaf, the flavor profiles are continuing to impress. The floral, earthy, citrus note still hang around but some other notes crept in; a creamy caramel, toasted nut butter and a hint of cassis (black current) enter the palate party room along with some chocolate drizzled popcorn. It’s not an upfront in your face chocolate taste, it’s very subtle but that popcorn taste is what came to mind. No salt or butter just some good old fashion air popped popcorn with that ever so light taste of chocolate in the background. 

In the last third of the cigar everything pretty much stays consistent; floral, citrus, cedar, creaminess with a few other profiles that introduced themselves. The chocolate, cassis, and popcorn taste drifted away but in came some toffee, honey, toasted salted peanuts, and a hint of cinnamon joined the mix. Very smooth and DEFINETLY creamy all the way until the 20 Acre Farm was right down to the nub. I’m going to rate this cigar 4.5 out of 5. As someone who like heavier, fuller bodied cigars to me it was missing that “Oomph” because it is a medium body cigar but by NO MEANS am I saying ANYTHING negative or think poorly of this cigar. I enjoyed the journey, enjoyed the profiles, even enjoyed the prices of 20 Acre Farm; Robusto (5 ¼ x 54) $12.40, Toro (6×52) $13.40 & Gordito (6×60) $15.40 all per cigar.

Finally I will leave this article by quoting more words from Jonathan Drew in regards to this cigar “20 Acre Farm is a brand with both purpose and promise. While many of ya’ll might think of Drew Estate as a bunch of roughneck reservoir dogs, this is really only partially true. We also have a very elegant side to us, a classy side if you will. The elegance of 20 Acre Farm is unquestionable, as that luxurious creamy bomb coats the palate with layer after layer of butta and more butta. It’s just so smooth it’s crazy.” And there you have it folks spoken by the Founder and President of Drew Estate himself. You’re only next step is to start your search for this wonderful 20 Acre Farm! Enjoy!!

Wrapper –  Ecuadoran Connecticut

Binder – Honduran

Filler – Nicaraguan/United States

Website: www.drewestate.com

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 pints.

Kintsugi by Alec Bradley Cigars
Kintsugi Alec Bradley

Now here is a cigar that is super interesting; the name alone “Kintsugi” is pretty remarkable on its own when it comes to naming a cigar. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold – a metaphor for embracing your flaws and imperfections. Kintsugi teaches you that your broken pieces make you stronger and better than ever before. When you think you are broken you can pick up the pieces, put them back together, and lean to embrace the cracks. 

I can certainly express one thing, I embraced every puff and draw during this tasting of “Kintsugi”. Kintsugi is an elegant, multifaceted medium bodied cigar created by Alec and Bradley Rubin. They had created this cigar to pay homage to the ancient Japanese art form which in turn joins pieces of ceramics back together with gold lacquer-making them even more beautiful. Cigars, like the gold lacquer, are a bonding agent-bringing people from all walks of life together. With a Honduran Habano Wrapper and Honduran/Nicaraguan binders & fillers, being produced at the Raices Cubanas factory in Danli, Honduras, “Kintsugi” certainly was created to celebrate camaraderie! 

Being that the two brothers (Alec & Bradley) grew up in the cigar industry and under the guidance of their father (Alan Ruben), they have learned to appreciate the tradition of cigars (the history, the blending, the agriculture, the social significance) their very first release back in 2018 was the “Blind Faith”. Then in 2019 their second release was the “Gatekeeper” and of course their third release in 2020 was none other than the “Kintsugi”. That’s enough history let’s get into my review of this wonderful cigar. 

Before lighting up, I took a few moments with some dry pulls. My immediate sense of taste went to milk chocolate, cardamom, toasted cashew, and a very light essence of sweet cream. In my opinion, my palate was pleased and my glands started to salivate before lighting up. Let’s see what the next step has in store. 

Upon Lighting up, some floral notes hit me with a hint of white pepper, a swirl of milk chocolate and believe it or not, because I have not thought of this particular snack in quite some time but I’m sure you have heard of or at least tried, Asian snack mix? (You know that Asian version of our Chex mix except it has that sugary glaze on them on peas in that mix.) Well, if you’ve tried them then you know you get that toasted, grainy, sweetness that makes you want more. At least for me anyway, I always want more. Now if you have not tried that type of mix, as I described, it has a toasted grain with some sweetness. It’s such a unique taste that A: you should definitely try some and B: I’m wondering if having that snack mix to snack on while smoking this cigar would enhance. Hmm… maybe next time I’ll try that. Anyway, onward to the first third of this cigar. 

Carob Chips come to mind. Another flavor profile I have not thought of in awhile. What are Carob Chips you ask? Carob Chips are from a sweet pulp that is dried, roasted, and then ground into a powder. Carob is less bitter than chocolate AND is not made with added sugar but while I continue to smoke the first third there is some sweetness with a hint of cedar creeping through. 

Continuing on down to the second third of “Kintsugi” most of the profiles are remaining present. Although, some new flavor profiles joined the palate party; picking up some woodsy earthiness along with a subtle hint of saffron. Maybe it’s the floral note that remained present is why I tasted saffron. The toasted notes continued to please my palate but it certainly transits from cashew, to almonds, to that Asian snack mix. 

Reaching the last third of the cigar the richness of everything came through and then some; notes of coffee, salted dark chocolate, cedar and leather, all of which had that sweetness to keep the glands salivating. Overall, this is a very good cigar. In my opinion I’m giving it a 4.3 out of 5. Now, I’m partial and enjoy smoking Honduran tobacco so this rating maybe higher than what you would rate it as. With that said, “Kintsugi” comes in four different sizes for you to try: Corona Gorda (5-5/8 x 46), Robusto (5×50), Toro (6×52), and Gordo (6×60). 

If you enjoy Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco then there is a good chance you will enjoy this cigar. Most certainly this cigar is moderately priced ranging from $7.40-$10 (depending on what state you are in prices may vary) so only one last thing to do. Go and purchase one for yourself and give it a try!

Wrapper –  Honduran Habano

Binder – Honduran/Nicaraguan

Filler – Honduran/Nicaraguan

Website: www.alecbradley.com

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 pints.