Liga Privada UF-13 Dark Review

The Liga Privada Unico Series is a line of delicious single-vitola blends from Drew Estates. Made in limited quantities and consisting of blends that cannot be produced as regular lines due to limited tobacco supplies, the Unico Series offers Liga Privada enthusiasts a chance to taste the pinnacle of what the brand is capable of producing.

One of these sought-after cigars is the Liga Privada UF-13 Dark. Defined by an extremely elaborate pigtail top and an oily black wrapper, the UF-13 is among the most visually striking cigars in the Drew Estates portfolio. Originally billed as the MF-13 and made with a different cap, the UF-13 took a long road to reach commercial release.

Going into this Liga Privada UF-13 review, I should disclose that this is absolutely not the first time I’ve smoked this cigar, and I already know that it’s my favorite from the Unico line. That said, “it’s great” isn’t enough information for the reader who hasn’t yet had the pleasure of this dark beauty of a cigar. With our bias disclosure out of the way, let’s begin.

Critical Stats

• Vitola: Robusto
• Size: 5.5×52
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadlead Maduro
• Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
• Filler: Honduran/Nicaraguan
• Strength: Medium-full+
• Smoking Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

First Third

From the very first puffs of this cigar, I get what can only accurately be described as huge flavor. The first draws yield chocolate covered raisins with a backing of coffee beans. There’s also a distinct earthy flavor and a tiny bit of sweetness that makes the smoke vaguely reminiscent of a good aromatic pipe tobacco. Unsurprisingly, the UF-13 Dark also follows most other Liga Privada cigars in being a prolific smoke producer.

As I work my way further into the first third, that earthy flavor builds and gradually combines with an emergent black pepper. That hint of earthy sweetness I experienced on the initial draws also continues to advance, producing a smoke that’s simultaneously strong and sweet. This cigar so far has been extremely pleasant, to say the least. There’s also a rich creaminess to the mouthfeel of the smoke. Combined with a firm ash and an open, consistent draw, this makes the UF-13 an all-around delight to smoke.

Further smoking sees the coffee build, moving from a backing note to one of the stars of the show. I also start to pick up a dark wood note that might best be described as oak or mahogany. Another interesting addition to the mix is a faint and barely perceptible hint of cinnamon. I honestly would’ve liked this flavor to be a bit more prominent, but I can hardly complain. There’s also a slightly floral quality lingering in the background that adds a bit more nuance to what’s already a fairly complex flavor profile. Ending the first third, earth, coffee and tobacco sweetness remain the major flavors on the palate.

Second Third

At the beginning of the second third, I find the dark wood notes from earlier are gaining some steam, and the cigar is also starting to get a bit spicier. Earth and pepper combine with a nice milk chocolate note, with the persistent coffee note bringing up the rear. Here and there, I also get a faint hint of citrus. One thing I’m noticing is that there are several very subtle notes to this cigar that combine to make it a truly complex and enticing smoking experience.

While the strength is increasing, the sweeter notes of this cigar keep drawing my mind back to the qualities of a really good aromatic pipe tobacco. A few more puffs in, I get a distinct taste of new leather and an unusual hint of apricot. Notice that I said unusual and not unpleasant. This is another one of those subtle little backing flavors that keep the cigar so interesting.

Gradually, the cigar begins taking on a more coffee-forward tone. I also start to get a slight savoriness that’s slightly reminiscent of sea air, though not quite. Since the Liga Privada UF-13 still has a decent amount of sweetness to offer, this creates a very enjoyable interplay of sweet and savory. A touch of straw also shows up around this point.

Toward the end of the second third, the chocolate flavor abruptly ramps up. All of a sudden, I feel like I’m smoking a chocolate cake (in a good way, mind you). To this point in the cigar, the draw has remained perfect. The burn has become ever so slightly uneven, but I still haven’t had to touch it up and I’m hoping that the wrapper will self-correct as I continue to smoke.

Final Third

The heavy chocolate notes that made up the end of the second third recede somewhat as the final third begins allowing spice notes to become more apparent. Around this same time, the cigar becomes noticeably less sweet. A mossy earth note begins to show up, paired with just a touch of slight minerality. This change marks a fairly fundamental shift in the character of the smoke. Even with the somewhat abrupt transition, though, the Liga Privada UF-13 Dark is still delivering an excellent flavor and smoking experience.

As the final third progresses, notes of apricot, citrus and brandy all peak out from behind the strong, earthy dominant flavors that have come to define the cigar. The chocolate, still lingering around, also rallies one last time. The end of the cigar is a luxurious blend of cocoa, raisin, coffee bean, light citrus and aged wood, all supported by an underlying earthy sweetness. I’m also able to finish the cigar without needing to reach for my lighter a single time.

Liga Privada UF-13 Dark Review and Final Thoughts

Flavor

This is the strongest suit of a cigar that performs extremely well in all categories. The Liga Privada UF-13 Dark takes the smoker on what amounts to a guide tour of the flavor profiles a cigar of its kind can offer. Few stones are left unturned, and the cigar never allows itself to become dull or monotonous. Even better, the very subtle background notes that flitted in and out as I was smoking this cigar were all distinct enough that they had their say in the overall flavor profile. That’s a tough balance to pull off, and it’s a testament to just how well-blended this cigar is.

Construction

While the cigar’s flavor is by far the star of the show, the construction is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Despite a somewhat uneven burn toward the end, the UF-13 Dark provided me with an excellent draw and burned well enough that I was never seriously tempted to touch it up.

Value

When you can find the Liga Privada UF-13 Dark these days, it’s usually around $18-20 at retail. For a cigar of this caliber, that’s in no way unfair. The bigger problem tends to be actually finding some for sale. As with the rest of the Unico series, the UF-13 Dark is produced in small quantities that tend to create a mismatch between supply and demand. If you find these cigars, though, the price is more than fair for what you’re getting.

Final Verdict

9/10

The Liga Privada UF-13 may be tough to come by, but once you get your hands on one you’ll have no trouble enjoying it. This cigar is extremely flavorful, well-constructed and complex. The UF-13 is, in every regard, excellent. There are no rough edges here, no significant “it would be nice ifs…” The UF-13 delivers an experience that any cigar smoker who enjoys a hearty, earthy blend is sure to appreciate.

One final note I’ll leave here is a slight disparity I’ve noticed between my own experience with this cigar and that of other reviewers. Browsing Liga Privada UF-13 reviews online, you’ll see a fair number of people discuss this being an extremely strong cigar. I can’t say I agree. To me, the UF-13 comes across as a robust medium-full plus, but it’s certainly not the powerhouse one might expect from some of the comments I’ve seen online.