Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat 2026

Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat

Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat is a returning Drew Estate release with roots in one of hockey’s strangest and most enduring stories. First introduced in 2016 to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Florida Panthers’ 1996 Stanley Cup Finals run, the cigar honors Scott Mellanby’s famous Rat Trick and brings the Liga Privada Unico Serie profile to a 5 1/2 x 46 Corona Gorda with a distinctive fantail head.

• Annual spring return from Drew Estate’s limited Liga Privada Unico Serie collection.
• Inspired by Scott Mellanby’s Rat Trick and the Florida Panthers’ 1996 Stanley Cup Finals run.
• Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper offers dark earth, cocoa nibs, espresso, pepper, and natural sweetness.
• Brazilian binder supports Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers for a full bodied profile.
• Corona Gorda measures 5 1/2 x 46, with a signature Liga Privada fantail head.
• Each cigar is wrapped in gold foil and presented in embossed blue 10 count Liga Privada Unico boxes.
• Available through qualifying Drew Diplomat retailers during the annual release window.

Year of the Rat began as a 2016 Drew Estate Lounge exclusive at the BB and T Center, home of the Florida Panthers. The original cigar commemorated the team’s 1996 Stanley Cup Finals appearance and the moment that became known as the Rat Trick. Before a game during the 1995 to 1996 season, Scott Mellanby struck a rat in the Panthers locker room with his stick, then scored two goals that night. Fans soon began throwing rubber rats on the ice after Panthers goals, turning an odd locker room story into a lasting part of the franchise’s identity.

The cigar returned in 2020 to coincide with the Chinese zodiac Year of the Rat and has appeared again in annual spring releases through Drew Diplomat retailers. Its story is memorable, but the blend still matters most. Year of the Rat uses a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Brazilian binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. That recipe places it in the fuller side of the Liga Privada Unico Serie catalog, with a profile built around pepper, dark earth, wood, and natural tobacco sweetness.

The 5 1/2 x 46 Corona Gorda wears an oily, dark brown to near black Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with visible tooth, faint veins, and a dense feel in the hand. The fantail head is a defining Unico Serie detail and should be cut carefully below the twisted cap. Before lighting, expect wrapper aromas of barnyard, leather tack, espresso, dark chocolate, black pepper, and a faint raisin sweetness. The foot should bring more earth, charred wood, roasted coffee, and pepper. Suggested image alt text, Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat 5 1/2 x 46 Corona Gorda cigar with dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, fantail head, gold foil, and blue Liga Privada Unico box.

The first third opens full with black pepper, dark earth, espresso, and charred oak, while the Broadleaf brings a natural sweetness underneath. The middle settles into leather, cocoa nibs, roasted nuts, and a restrained raisin note, with a savory Brazilian binder character supporting the core. The final third moves firmly into full strength, adding more pepper, coffee beans, charred meat, and a long dark sweetness on the finish. For related selections, browse Liga Privada cigars, Drew Estate cigars, and full bodied cigars.

Summary

• Box Count: 10
• Region: Nicaragua
• Strength: Full
• Binder: Brazilian
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
• Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran long filler tobaccos

What is Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat?

Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat is a full bodied Drew Estate cigar released through the Liga Privada Unico Serie. It measures 5 1/2 x 46 and uses a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Brazilian binder, and Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers.

Why is it called Year of the Rat?

Year of the Rat honors Scott Mellanby’s Rat Trick and the Florida Panthers’ 1996 Stanley Cup Finals run. The cigar first launched in 2016 for the twentieth anniversary of that season, then returned in 2020 during the Chinese zodiac Year of the Rat.

What is the Rat Trick?

The Rat Trick began during the 1995 to 1996 Florida Panthers season when Scott Mellanby struck a rat in the team locker room with his hockey stick before a game and then scored two goals that night. Fans later began throwing rubber rats onto the ice after Panthers goals.

What does Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat taste like?

Year of the Rat delivers black pepper, dark earth, espresso, charred oak, leather, cocoa nibs, roasted nuts, and natural raisin sweetness. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper gives the cigar a rich, dark, and slightly sweet foundation.

How strong is Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat?

Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat is full strength. Its blend of Connecticut Broadleaf, Brazilian binder, and Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers gives it a dense, peppery profile suited to experienced smokers.

What is a fantail cigar head?

A fantail head is a twisted cap style used on select Liga Privada Unico Serie cigars. Cut the cigar carefully below the twisted portion to preserve the cap and avoid damaging the wrapper.

How is Year of the Rat packaged?

Each Year of the Rat cigar is hand wrapped in gold foil and packed in an embossed blue Liga Privada Unico 10 count box. The foil helps protect the cigar and is part of the release’s distinct presentation.

Where can I buy Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat?

Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat is released through qualifying Drew Diplomat retailers. Availability is limited, so contact a participating retailer early during the annual spring release window.