Jonathan Drew's Liga Privada line changed American cigar culture when it launched in 2007. The No. 9 — named for the nine torcedores who rolled the original blend — became one of the most imitated and most decorated cigars in modern history. The T52 followed, using a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper instead of the No. 9's Stalk Cut Habano, and immediately split the Liga Privada community into two camps. This comparison is the one people keep asking us about. We smoked both in the same afternoon to answer it definitively.
Construction: Both Are Excellent
Drew Estate's production quality on the Liga Privada line is among the best in the industry. Both the No. 9 and T52 use a Honduran binder with a Nicaraguan long-filler core — the difference is entirely in the wrapper. The No. 9's Stalk Cut Habano wrapper is slightly rustic in appearance — oily, dark, with some visible tooth — while the T52's Connecticut Broadleaf is darker, denser, and more uniform. Both cigars drew perfectly with no adjustment. Both burned straight within the first inch without touch-ups. Construction is not a differentiating factor here.
Liga Privada No. 9: The Flavor Profile
The No. 9 opens with a complexity that few cigars match in the first third: dark coffee, subtle spice, a whisper of earth. The Habano wrapper carries a pepper note that integrates rather than leads. In the middle third the body intensifies — the Nicaraguan ligero core fully engages, adding depth and strength without becoming aggressive. Leather, cedar, and cocoa sit in perfect proportion. The final third is where the No. 9 earns its reputation: it remains complex and balanced all the way down, finishing with a sweet, lingering espresso note. This is a full-body cigar that never beats you over the head with its strength.
Liga Privada T52: The Flavor Profile
The T52 opens darker and sweeter than the No. 9. Connecticut Broadleaf is one of the richest wrapper leaves in the world — dark chocolate, molasses, and earth dominate the first third. Where the No. 9 leads with complexity, the T52 leads with intensity. In the middle third the sweetness of the Broadleaf integrates with the Nicaraguan core's spice, producing a push-pull dynamic that keeps the palate interested. The T52 is technically slightly stronger than the No. 9, but the sweetness of the wrapper makes it feel more accessible. The finish is shorter but more concentrated.
The Verdict: Which One Should You Smoke?
If you enjoy complexity, evolution, and a cigar that rewards slow, attentive smoking: the No. 9. It is the more refined of the two — built for the aficionado who wants a conversation with their cigar across an hour. If you prefer immediate gratification, bold flavors from the first draw, and something that pairs aggressively with bourbon or dark rum: the T52. Both deserve a place in your rotation. If you have never tried either, start with the No. 9 Toro — it is the most balanced expression of the blend in the most forgiving size.
No. 9 scores 95/100. T52 scores 94/100. Both are among the top ten full-body cigars produced in the United States market. The difference is a matter of preference, not quality.
About the Author
PYRE Cigars
Editorial Team
The PYRE team is made up of cigar enthusiasts, tobacconists, and tasters dedicated to finding the best smoke for every occasion.