Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Jan 01, 2016

Score: 94

Look closely at the band of the Liga Privada No. 9. The words "Hecho Exclusivamente Para El Jefe" are printed in small font. It translates to, "Made Exclusively For The Boss." In this case, the boss was Drew Estate's former president. He's no longer with the company and the boss is now Swisher International (which acquired Drew Estate last year), but the cigar remains on the market. And why shouldn't it? It has a fiercely loyal following that's gone way beyond cult status, and La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua can't make enough of them. The bands also resemble the type of industrial labels found in distillation plants and tasting laboratories, thus emphasizing the notion of Ligas being intended for internal consumption.The look and story behind Liga Privadas intrigued cigar smokers everywhere, but so did the cigar itself. Each one is a dark and ominous shade that can go from dark brown to an oily black. They're solid to the touch and packed tightly with loads of hearty tobacco, yet still draw beautifully. It's one of the heaviest blends on the market and is bound by a gutsy Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and Brazilian Mata Fina binder. Every puff of the Corona Doble seems to make a bold statement with a complex range of strong earthy flavors, a sweet quality redolent of perique tobacco and a sweet tarry finish.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Dec 01, 2015

Score: 89

Dark, streaky, and packed with tobacco, this big Churchill is strong and peppery with notes of earth and sweet tar that leave a charry aftertaste.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Feb 01, 2015

Score: 91

Thick and solidly rolled, this dark Churchill shows a fruity, sweet character redolent of perique tobacco. Notes of caramel lead to a tarry finish.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Aug 01, 2011

Score: 89

Dark and veiny with an uneven burn, though a full draw delivers rich woody flavors, some dried citrus notes and a wheaty aftertaste. A medium-bodied cigar.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Oct 01, 2010

Score: 89

Thick and oily with an even draw and burn. Initial puffs start out steely tasting, but warm to show big chestnut flavor, some orange peel notes and hints of anise on the finish.

Issue: Cigar Aficionado, Feb 01, 2009

Score: 89

A large, dark cigar with a slightly firm draw, but even burn that produces a solid white ash. There’s a solid medium-bodied core of hickory flavor balanced by coffee bean notes and some sweetness.