Back in 2008, Manuel Quesada teamed up with Nestor Plasencia to release a cigar to be sold under the Quesada Cigars portfolio known as the Casa Magna Colorado. The cigar was met with critical acclaim and commercial success and is widely considered to be one of the most successful collaborations in history. Over the years, Quesada Cigars has grown Casa Magna into a full-fledged brand – releasing the Casa Magna Oscuro, Casa Magna Domus Magnus, Casa Magna Domus Magnus II, and the Casa Magna Jalapa Claro. Fast forward to 2021 and it had been five years since there was a nationally released Casa Magna line. That would change with the release of the Casa Magna Liga F. The Liga F was designed to offer a bolder offering in the Casa Magna line. What was different about this Casa Magna is that this cigar would be produced in the Dominican Republic solely by the Quesada family. Today, we take a close look at the Casa Magna Liga F in the Churchill size.
The name Liga F is meant to represent “Liga Fuerte.” “Fuerte” means strong and strength is the theme Casa Magna Liga F. In 2022 the Quesadas would release another cigar out of the Dominican Republic for Casa Magna line known as the Casa Magna Connecticut. This cigar had the goal of addressing the opposite end of the spectrum for a milder offering.
For now, let’s turn our attention to the Casa Magna Liga F Churchill and see what this cigar brings to the table.
SPECIFICATIONS
Blend and Origin
The blend for the Casa Magna Liga F features a sun-grown Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper. There are Dominican tobaccos used for binder and filler. In addition, some Nicaraguan tobaccos are incorporated into the filler.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo (Sun Grown)
Binder: Dominican
Filles: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: TABADEX (Quesada Cigars Factory)
Vitolas Offered
The Casa Magna Liga F is available in four sizes. All of the sizes are presented in ten-count boxes except for the Petit Corona which is presented in five-count packs.
Petite Corona: 4 1/4 x 40
Robusto: 5 x 54
Toro: 6 x 52
Churchill: 7 x 50
Appearance
The Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper of the Casa Magna Liga F had a dark cinnamon color to it. There was some mottling that was present on the surface. In addition, there was a light coating of oil on the surface. The wrapper had some visible veins and some visible wrapper seams. There was a slight amount of bumpiness on the surface of the wrapper.
The band of the Casa Magna Colorado is highlighted by the green, gold, and cream Casa Magna logo adorned with the text “CASA” and “MAGNA” in gold font. On each side of the Casa Magna logo are a series of gold medallions as well as green and gold adornments. The lower portion of the band has primarily a golden background. Just below the Casa Magna logo on the black background is a red ribbon below the logo with the text “LIGA F” in gold font. The upper and lower portions of the band feature gold trim. On the far right is a black and gold Quesada “Q” logo.
PERFORMANCE
Pre-Light Draw
A straight cut was used to commence the cigar experience of the Casa Magna Liga F Churchill. Once the cap was removed, it was on to the pre-light draw. The cold draw delivered a mix of sweet bread, natural tobacco, dusty earth, and a slight pepper note. To me, this was an excellent pre-light draw experience. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the Casa Magna Liga F Churchill and see what the smoking phase would have in store.
Tasting Notes
The Casa Magna Liga F started out with a combination of sweet bread, natural tobacco, nuts, earth, and black pepper. Early on the breadiness settled in the forefront. The natural tobacco, nuts, earth, and black pepper settled in the background. Some notes of cedar and baker’s spice emerged in the background. There was a slight dialing back of the sweetness from the bread notes. Meanwhile, the retro-hale delivered notes of black pepper and wood.
The start of the second third saw the bread notes remain in the forefront. The sweetness started to ramp up again and this continued to the midway point. Once past the midway point, the sweetness came down. It was around the midway point where the natural tobacco notes displaced the baker’s spice as the primary note. At the same time, the pepper increased on the retro-hale and tongue. Going into the second third, the natural tobacco notes were primary. These were rounded off by the bread, pepper, baker’s spice, and cedar. There also was a slight creamy almond note.
The final third saw the cedar notes go primary with a musty component. The natural tobacco, bread, and pepper notes rounded things out. The pepper actually dialed back a bit on the retro-hale and tongue. Meanwhile, the baker’s spice and creamy almond notes diminished. Sometimes when a cigar takes a heavy cedar turn, it can ruin the cigar experience, but no such issue here. This cigar finished quite pleasantly with a firm nub that was cool in temperature.
Burn
The Casa Magna Liga F Churchill did not require much in the way of touch-ups. The cigar maintained a straight burn path and straight burn line for most of the cigar experience. The resulting ash had a salt and pepper color. This was an ash that was on the firm side. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both had ideal levels.
Draw
The draw to the Casa Magna Liga F Churchill also performed stellarly. This was a cigar that had a touch of resistance – which is something that I like. At the same time, this was a low-maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.
Strength and Body
It took a little bit of time, but the Liga F Churchill would live up to its billing.
The Casa Magna Liga F Churchill started out with medium strength. The strength increased to medium to full in the second third and reached full strength in the final third. Meanwhile, the body started out medium to full. The body slowly increased and by the final third, the flavors delivered were in full territory.
As for strength versus body, the body had the edge in the first two-thirds, but the strength took a slight edge during the final third.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
I’ll challenge anyone who says the Quesada factory is not producing some of the best cigars out there over the past 18 months. The Casa Magna Liga F Churchill is another hit that comes out of this factory. It delivers the total package: flavor, complexity, and excellent construction. The Churchill size is a wonderful expression of this brand. Sometimes the flavors die out late in a Churchill, but not with the Casa Magna Liga F Churchill. One final note. This is a Dominican-made cigar that has a Nicaraguan flair to it – making it fit in nicely with the Casa Magna brand.
This is probably a cigar I would steer toward a more seasoned cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is not only a cigar I would smoke again, but for $100.00, buying a box is a no-brainer. Coming in at 91 points, the Casa Magna Liga F Churchill exceeds the Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence threshold.
Quesada Corner
Back in December 2021; Ben Lee and I featured this cigar on the Quesada Corner.
Note: Due to age restrictions, you may need to click Watch on YouTube below to view.
Summary
Key Flavors: Baker’s Cocoa, Coffee, Cedar, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: High
Strength: Medium (1st Third), Medium to Full (2nd Third), Full (Final Third)
Body: Medium to Full (1st 2/3), Full (Final Third)
Finish Excellent
Rating
Value: Box Purchase
Score: 91
Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence
References
News: Quesada Cigars Announces Casa Magna Liga F
Price: $9.70
Source: Quesada
Brand Reference: Quesada
Photo/Video Credits: Cigar Coop
Originally posted on September 6, 2022 @ 6:17 pm