Liga Privada Unico: UF-4

Size: 6 x 52
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Wrapper: Connecticut Valley Stalk Cut and Cured Sun Grown Habano

The Setup:
Smoked outside, no wind, nice day. 73 outside and its mid Dec. Freaking Texas!
Coke at my side.
Stored in Humidor at 70/65% for 6 months

Pre-Light:
The UF-4 is really just a beautiful cigar to look at, so much so, that you almost hate to cut and light it. It is much lighter in color than say a #9 because of the different wrapper, but still has that great Liga Privada style and look. The cigar has some give to it, isn’t spongy at all but firm in all the right places. The cap is nicely placed, the wrapper has an oily sheen to it and I can’t wait to get into this one!
After a quick cut, the pre-light draw brings a shot of sweetness that is most welcome.

http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5726.jpg


http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5728.jpg


1st Third:
Right off the bat you are smacked with a heavy sweetness mixed with a peppery spice. Given the shade of the wrapper I wasn’t expecting such a heavy taste. By no means is this bad; as the flavor is full of tasty goodness, but the body remains medium. The ash holds on like a champ until the 2nd third, but with that 2nd third comes a major problem.

Retrohale:
Pepper and cocoa on the retrohale are present as well as some woodsy notes.

http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5735.jpg

2nd Third:
Taste wise I am greeted with more cedar in the 2nd third along with a good amount of cocoa notes and a hint of leather. The issue however is the wrapper that has started to split and unravel as I continue to smoke. This issue doesn’t seem to be affecting the taste at all, and the ash is still holding on quite nicely. It is just sad to see a cigar of this magnitude fall apart in your hands. At this point, I am hoping it will hold on so I can finish it. I continue to take my puff a minute, and even set it down between puffs so I don’t further advance the wrapper explosion.

Retrohale:
Notes of cedar, cocoa and leather waft through the nose.

http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5739.jpg

http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5740.jpg

Last Third:
Even though I am taking my time with this bad boy, the wrapper issue seems to be finally affecting the flavor as I am greeted with a bitter pepper on the last third. I am still getting the cocoa to a degree but it taste more like burnt chocolate. This is unfortunate to say the least.

Retrohale:
The retrohale is all pepper and leather at this point, with hints of burnt paper. No more retrohale for me on the last 3rd.

http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5744.jpg

http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5751.jpg

Final Thoughts:
It is hard to say how much better this cigar would be without the wrapper explosion that happened to it. I will say that even with the wrapper giving out the cigar held on, never got too squishy and still smoked better than a LOT of cigars. That says a lot about the love and care that goes into making these cigars. I have one more of these in my humidor. I am going to go inspect to see if maybe I need to move it to its own Tupperware and keep it at 68-RH for a while so it doesn’t do the same thing to me.
Total smoke time was 1hour 35min.

http://i579.photobucket.com/al...digital/_MG_5758.jpg

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Meatcake,

That sure is a bummer for such a beautiful smoke. Hopefully your other one doesn't do that...

nice review!

The wrapper split you show is the classic symptom of an over-humidified cigar.

quote:

Originally posted by SteveSur:
The wrapper split you show is the classic symptom of an over-humidified cigar.

That is what I thought too but I keep all my cigars between 63 and 65, so that wasn't the case.

quote:

Originally posted by Meatcake:

quote:

Originally posted by SteveSur:
The wrapper split you show is the classic symptom of an over-humidified cigar.

That is what I thought too but I keep all my cigars between 63 and 65, so that wasn't the case.

A large, over-humified cigar (...from the vender) can take weeks to dry out even in a 60% RH box. Dry boxing for two or three days is another option.

quote:

Originally posted by Meatcake:

quote:

Originally posted by SteveSur:
The wrapper split you show is the classic symptom of an over-humidified cigar.

That is what I thought too but I keep all my cigars between 63 and 65, so that wasn't the case.

...and I hope your RH measuring device is calibrated as-well.

I didn't drybox the cigar at all but I know my RH is solid as I calibrate my hygrometers pretty regular. Kind of weird that way. I have one more to smoke. Hoping it will fair better. Both of these had a good 6 months in my humi.