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The Liga Privada Velvet Rat is a 6 1/4 x 46 Drew Estate lonsdale pairing a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a Brazilian Mata Fina binder and Honduran and Nicaraguan filler. Cigar Aficionado’s June 2016 report frames it as a milder cousin of the Dirty Rat, and we sell it as singles.
48 in stock
Description
The Liga Privada Velvet Rat is a 6 1/4 x 46 lonsdale from Drew Estate, built from Honduran and Nicaraguan filler, a Brazilian Mata Fina binder and a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Per halfwheel and Cigar Coop, the Velvet Rat comes out of Drew Estate’s La Gran Fabrica in Nicaragua.
What It Tastes Like
halfwheel’s original review found cocoa sweeter than the No. 9’s, with caramel, coffee and leather over restrained pepper, and mocha and licorice arriving later. Its December 2017 redux of an aged sample led with cedar, pepper and burnt coffee instead. A 2025 staff review from the retailer Holt’s lists dark chocolate, leather and black coffee.
Who It’s For
- Lonsdale fans who want a long, slim 46-ring smoke rather than the 52- and 54-ring toros and robustos we carry from Liga Privada.
- Smokers who find the Dirty Rat heavy, since Cigar Aficionado’s June 2016 article presents the Velvet Rat as a mellower take on that cigar.
- Connecticut Broadleaf enthusiasts curious about the “High” Mediums grade Drew Estate selected for this blend.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- halfwheel’s 94 from November 2012, as listed on its later redux page
- halfwheel’s first review praised the burn
Cons
- halfwheel’s December 2017 redux scored an aged sample 84 and needed frequent touch-ups
- Published lengths differ: 6 1/4 inches from three outlets, 6 1/2 in a 2016 Drew Estate release
About the Liga Privada Único Serie
Cigar Coop notes that each Único Serie blend comes in a single size. halfwheel records an August 2012 preview dinner before an October 2012 release at a Chicago shop.
Compare Similar Cigars
- Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage Lancero: a narrower 7-inch lancero with Connecticut Corojo wrapper.
- Liga Privada 10th Aniversario Toro: a thicker toro dressed in Connecticut Criollo.
- Liga Privada H99 Toro: adds Pennsylvania leaf to the filler, in a fuller 52-ring format.
Liga Privada Velvet Rat FAQ
What size is the Liga Privada Velvet Rat?
halfwheel, Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Coop all list 6 1/4 x 46. A 2016 Drew Estate press release printed 6 1/2 x 46, so we follow the independent outlets.
What wrapper does the Velvet Rat use?
Connecticut Broadleaf. The Brazilian leaf is the Mata Fina binder, not the wrapper.
How strong is the Velvet Rat?
halfwheel’s first review rated it medium to medium-plus and was surprised it was not stronger; our listing classes it as medium-full.
Where is the Velvet Rat made?
halfwheel and Cigar Coop place production at Drew Estate’s La Gran Fabrica factory, which Cigar Coop locates in EstelÃ, Nicaragua.
Browse our Liga Privada cigars to see the Velvet Rat beside the H99 and 10th Aniversario blends.
Additional information
| Packaging Type | Single |
|---|---|
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Origin | |
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf |
| Binder | Brazilian Mata Fina |
| Filler | Honduras, Nicaragua |
| Length | 6 1/4" |
| Gauge | 46 |
