Initial Thoughts
The Feral Flying Pig seems to be one of those cigars that you can never find. Everyone is all the cigar forums talks about them, and how great they are. For some they seem to have no issue tracking these cigars down, for others it’s like trying to find the Golden Ticket from The Willy Wonka Factory. Needless to say, I was extremely excited when I tracked down one of these cigars in Nashville. I’m going to guesstimate that I got this cigar close to 9 months ago and it’s been aging in my humi for that amount of time. I wanted to really hold onto it until I was ready to smoke it, because I haven’t been able to find anymore since. I’m not sure what struck me, but I decided today was the day I was going to smoke it and I went into my humi snagged it and was prepping myself. Now to be honest, Jeremy over at Blind Eye Cigar Review had given me one in the past that we smoked together. He’s a true Brother of the Leaf (#BOTL). So I knew what I was in for, so maybe that’s why I put off smoking this stick. I’m not sure.
Official information about this Feral Flying Pig is fairly scarce on the Drew Estate website. Essentially it’s part of the Unico Series by Liga Privada. Originally they released the Liga Privada 9 Flying Pig which is a much smaller vitola than this particular stick. Then they began producing this stick, it’s not a one off production it’s a consistently produced product, just in small batches. Which is why they’ve become so difficult to get. Small Supply = Great Demand right? We all passed economics, I passed with a D, but no one cares, I still graduated right? Yeah that’s what I thought. So without further ado, let’s hop into this stick and get down to it!
Looks
This Feral Flying Pig is one of the coolest looking cigars on the market. It comes in a beautiful wooden box and each pig has it’s own slot in box. Once these cigars come out of the aging room they’re placed in these boxes like they are being custom molded again while en route for delivery. Very cool packaging in my opinion. The actual cigar is somewhat of a double figurado. It’s tapered at both ends and plumps to a nice 60 ring gauge for the majority of the barrel. At the head of the cigar there is a beautifully placed pig tail cap. It’s a fitting cap for this cigar since it is entitled with the word pig. I have a feeling that wasn’t done by accident.
I’m also a huge fan of the band on this cigar. I wasn’t able to get a picture of the backside of the band because the retailer covered it with a barcode. So you’ll have to take my word for it, but there is a beautiful golden lion with the U for Unico series. The front of the band is similar to the Liga Privada 9 and T52 labels. Except it says FERAL in bold blue print. I’ve always been a big fan of these bands they have a very unique look to them that really sets them apart from all others.
This cigar has a beautiful rich dark oily looking wrapper. It’s a Connecticut Broadleaf similar to the other Ligas that we’ve reviewed. It’s been aged and has that nice dark shine to it, that lets you know it’s a Liga Privada. There are very few visible veins on this cigar some nice bits of tooth up and down the wrapper. I’m loving looking at this cigar, but I’m also ready to fire it up.
Function
As I said above I’ve had this stick sitting in my humi for close to 9 months. So I’m fairly certain that it should be good to go in terms of the pinch test. However, I make sure to oblige it and give it the proper foreplay before I turn it into ash. Absolutely no soft spots it has a great bounce back on the filler.
Now when it came time to remove the pig tail cap on this Feral Flying Pig, I didn’t want to bite it or pull it off. Because honestly, I don’t have that much experience with doing it and it I didn’t want to tear the wrapper. So I just used the ole capped back cutter to do the job. Once I started taking some puffs on this thing I knew it was going to be a great smoke. The pre draw almost too open. In fact it felt like there was an actual hole down through the barrel of the cigar. I didn’t mind in fact I would rather have that then it be too tight of a draw. So I think it’s time to actually put the torch to this and see what it has to offer.
Smoking
I used my standby Xikar Stratosphere to toast this tapered foot. It really didn’t need much toasting at all this Feral Flying Pig lit right up and began pouring out smoke like nobody’s bidness(yep that’s how I say it). The draw was so open it actually caused me to choke on all the smoke that I pulled through. So word to the wise, if you ever find these cigars be prepared to be pelted with smoke! I’m just saying, it’s gonna happen.
As is the case with all the Liga Privadas, especially the Undercrown there is a ton of smoke that pours off this stick. The leaf that they use has such a high combustible rate its shocking. It puts these cigars in a league all their own.
The first third smoked perfectly, I had a nice long ash that looks really cool because of the tapered foot. It held on for nearly an inch and a half. What I loved about the ash is that it was solid and sturdy and didn’t crumble once it hit the ashtray. Yes, I actually got it in the ashtray instead of on my pants this time. I know it was a big win for myself. This thing continued to burn perfectly all the way through the 2nd and final thirds as well. There was one point where I thought I might need to do a touch up this Feral Flying Pig, but I refrained and it worked itself out just fine. Now, onto the flavor!
Flavor
I know this is what everyone has been excited about and looking forward to. Well honestly, the flavor was excellent, but there were so many other intangibles that I loved about this cigar that I almost forgot to take note of the flavors. I know, doesn’t make sense, but it happens.
On the pre draw I picked up some very earthy notes, there was some sort of hollow wood and charcoal flavors that were very interesting. Thats the best way that I can describe it, is hollow. The wood flavors weren’t over powering in fact it felt they weren’t even that warm or intense, just kind of hollow and thats how I wound up on the charcoal note. Very interesting how that works.
Once I got it lit the spice began to build along with the body of the cigar. After having smoked this before I knew I was going to be in for a ride and I had already prepped myself for it. The flavors I got were very savory and spicy. There were hints of sweetness on the lips, but just an overall kick to the pants. It was an enjoyable kick to the pants, but still a kick none the less.
During the second third I could really feel this Feral Flying Pig building up in strength. The retrohale brought out a nice black pepper to it that seemed to stick to the back of my throat. In fact, it’s still there while I’m writing this. Again the charcoal is still hitting along with the savory / meaty notes with hints of earth. It’s a very complex cigar and one that should definitely be smoked while sitting down. In fact you might want to just take a nap after this cigar because you might not be walking anywhere anytime soon.
The final third was more of the same, but everything seemed to really build in terms of strength. I’m not sure if I’ve ever smoked a cigar this strong before. I’m still waiting on the Opus X, but damn this Feral Flying Pig is a beast. Just a word to some of you newer smokers out there. If you come across this stick, buy it, but wait to smoke it until you’re ready. I have a feeling it would turn most of you green if you tried smoking it early in your smoking career. That’s just my advice, take it or leave it. The most dominant flavor to me in this final third is the spice, it’s not an overwhelming habanero spice it’s a milder spice but it’s definitely there and I love it!
Would I Buy It Again?
Absolutely, if I can ever find them.
Is It an Every Day Smoke?
Absolutely not. Unless you just buy boxes and boxes. Its a special cigar, don’t smoke these everyday.
Would I Buy a Box?
Without a doubt.
Conclusion
This Feral Flying Pig is an incredible cigar. Definitely worth the hype that it has received. I was a little skeptical at first, but the way it builds in strength and complexity is almost indescribable. If you ever get ahold of this guy make sure and buy a couple to let them age and smoke them when you have some time to really enjoy them!
