Cigar Review – Drew Estate Liga Feral Pig
When Smoked: October 2023
Obtained from: purchased from local cigar shop
Size: Figurado (5-3/8 inches x 60)
Approximate cost: US$21.00
See ratings below
This review of the Drew Estate Liga Feral Pig was suggested by a viewer, and I’m glad I decided to do it.
The Feral Pig is an interesting cigar with a fascinating story: The Feral Pig replaces the original (and very popular) Liga T52 and Liga #9 Flying Pig vitolas, which were a one-shot release in about 2009. Although they were popular, Drew Estate noted some customer complaints and rejiggered the size and tobacco blend to make the Feral Pig.
The Feral Pig is part of the Drew Estate Unico line – the line is unique (hence the name) in that each vitola (and there are some crazy ones) has its own tobacco blend. As opposed to other cigar lines where each vitola is pretty much the same blend, with slight changes to accommodate the different ratios of wrapper/binder/filler in different sizes.
Unlike the original Flying Pigs, the Feral Pig is not a one-shot deal – Drew Estate makes a batch of about 3,000 boxes of 10 each when there is a suitable amount of aged and ready tobacco to justify a production run.
Two things about this cigar: it is a little hard to find, for the reason just discussed; and second, the price is around US$200 for a box or 10 and about US$21.50 for a loosie.
One of the unique features of this cigar is the “pigtail” cap. In the video, the pigtail fulfilled the promise of being able to pop off easily by hand and the opening, although it appeared very small, was more than sufficient to provide excellent draw and smoke production.
I wasn’t too far along in this cigar until a crack developed, which quickly led to the wrapped in that part of the cigar unraveling. Fortunately, I left the band on, and it held the cigar (more or less) together for a satisfactory completion. In the video I speculate perhaps the 3-4 weeks in my humidor was not sufficient resting time, but honestly think it was “just one of those things” that happens.
All in all, the taste, pleasant body and overall experience of smoking this cigar overcame the construction issue, and I rated it a 8.75/10 (deducting ¼ point for the construction). The flavor was wonderful, cedar and leather with overtones of coffee and a hint of sweetness. Boldness/strength is a 7.5/10, or medium-full. Interesting, I read several reviews where the Feral Pig is described as incredibly strong and spicy – I experienced absolutely none of that.
Overall impression, given the price point (about US$21), I would suggest keeping this cigar for a special occasion or a time when you want something unique.
