The First Long Smoke of Spring: Liga Privada H99 & Bulleit Bottled in Bond

Spring — at least the meteorological version — arrived in force late this week, bringing with it temperatures warm enough to lure me into the yard for needed chores. It was actually refreshing to begin the winter cleanup, which includes pruning a good deal of shrub damage from the extreme cold weather a month ago. It’s an ongoing project, but one I’m thankful the weather, and my health, allow me to undertake.

By evening, it was time for a sip and smoke on the porch. With plenty of free time and a cooperative thermometer, I opted for a long smoke. The Liga Privada H99 in Corona Doble is a cigar I enjoy infrequently — the 7” x 54 vitola is a two-hour-plus commitment. Some Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon was poured to accompany the cigar.

The H99 Corona Doble comes from a box purchased in May 2024 as a retirement gift to me, from me. At the time it was promoted as an event-only vitola, and I picked up plenty of extra swag with the purchase. I now see the cigar listed for sale by some online retailers.

The cigar gets its name from the H99 Connecticut Corojo hybrid wrapper. The leaf is a cross between Stalk-Cut Habano and Corojo ’99 tobacco seeds grown in the Connecticut River Valley by a single farm specifically for Drew Estate. A Mexican San Andrés Negro binder encases filler tobaccos grown in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Pennsylvania. The long cigar is smooth and solidly rolled.

Despite a somewhat loose draw, the plentiful smoke opened with hints of pepper and lightly toasted bread. A brown sugar sweetness gradually builds and joins a core of dark chocolate, coffee, and graham cracker. The cigar exhibits a medium body, building to near full in the second half.

Knowing I was in for a long smoking session, the 100-proof Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon made a suitable companion. This first bottled-in-bond release from Bulleit debuted in early 2024. The whiskey was aged for seven years — well beyond the four years mandated by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.

The bourbon leans toward rye spice rather than classic bourbon sweetness, both on the nose and the palate. However, that spice is moderate and well balanced with the rest of the profile. Rye, vanilla, and sweet chocolate greet the nose upon pouring. On the sip, vibrant rye spice is layered with balancing vanilla and maple sweetness on the tongue. A hint of dried fruit adds further complexity.

As expected, the Bulleit and H99 proved to be an exemplary pairing. The cigar treated me to an amazing two hours and forty-five minutes of smoking pleasure. Even with a bit of breeze wafting through the now-opened windows on the porch, the spring-like balm contributed to the enjoyable evening. For a while, I even forgot about the remaining winter yard cleanup waiting to be done — a problem for another day

Cheers!