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Back in 1997, a tobacco farm was officially established in La Canela, Dominican Republic. The idea was to create a perfect blend of premium tobacco from around the world. The result was a cigar that turned the Dominican Republic’s cigar industry on its head, with the first La Flor Dominican Cigars.
Litto Gomez is the brainchild behind the La Flor Dominicana brand and it has long been thought that his mind simply works differently than most other cigar aficionados, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers. By “work differently,” we mean that he has the sharpest and keenest mind in the industry.
Interestingly enough, Gomez started out as a jewelry businessman, opening his business in Miami, Florida. He was initially successful, but then he was robbed at gunpoint, losing $400,000 in a few, terrifying minutes. Gomez was fine but perhaps the cigar world owes a bit of thanks to those thieves.
La Flor Dominicana Cigars
La Flor Dominicana cigars aren’t just known for their exceptional flavor but also for their unique shapes and aesthetic appeal. The Ligero L500 is one such cigar, with a dark, smooth appeal to the wrapper.
The oily texture sounds weird on paper, and it’s anything but when looking at and holding one of these cigars. The only proper word for the flavor is “bold,” and the best time to smoke one of these is after a hearty meal, not an afternoon snack.
The Ligero is known for being a very smooth smoke and the draw is near perfection. The cigar features a V-cut, which allows for the smoothness of the draw. The aftertaste—and one that lingers for a long time after you’re done—is a very mild vanilla cream.
2. La Flor Dominicana La Nox La Nox
The rich, leather look of the La Nox is instantly appealing and even if you aren’t a cigar enthusiast, you’ll want to hold one of these in your hand. The Blue and white wrap label vibe comfortably with the shape and color of the cigar.
It’s known as a Brazilian wrapper and it looks mighty fine. If you’ve spent a lot of time barbecuing at the house, the instant you light up the La Nox, that’s where your mind will go. The sweet, tangy smell of smoked butt is immediate.
The flavor is exactly the opposite but it jives with the initial aroma. Expect a flowery profile as you draw, with charred oak, apples, and cocoa to follow it up. As time goes on, the apples turn into cider, and the tangy flavor increases, while never becoming overpowering or dominant.
3. La Volcada
If the name makes you think of volcano islands, with flaming, subtropical forests and sandy beaches, you’re over the target. The cigar resembles the La Nox, with a neat little knot on the end for good measure.
Before you light up, you’ll notice the soft, leather-looking wrapper gives off a very mild scent of oatmeal and raisins. Afterward, cranberry and caramel are the names of the game. As Volcada implies, the spice is heavy and rich after you get through the initial draw.
Even the branded wrapper around the cigar is reminiscent of spice and heat. One of the most significant points this cigar has going for it is the fact that it just keeps getting better as you go.
4. Double Ligero Chiselito Maduro
If you love the spiciness of the La Volcada, you’ll really love the Chiselito Maduro. The wrapping is very similar as well, with perhaps a slightly softer leather aesthetic. This particular cigar is more pointed on the draw end, like a chisel.
If you like spicy flavors, you don’t have to do anything more than hold the cigar between your teeth. This is an intense cigar and it’s best to be kicked back in a lounger, done for the day, and your shoes at the front door when you light one of these puppies.
The Chiselito Maduro may be a bit spicy for some but it’s also an instant classic, as in classic tobacco. The flavors of good old-fashioned tobacco and spice are an excellent combination, especially with some coffee bean flavor in the middle.
5. Suave Mambises
A more cheery-looking cigar than the previous ones, the Suave Mambises is the result of a combination of long filler and binder tobacco. The wrapper is a mild but pleasant, light, reddish brown that conjures images of velvet (for some reason).
As far as the cigar goes, it’s one of the milder, smoother cigars on the list. The shape is long, completely cylindrical, with a rounded finish known as a Churchill shape, wrapped in a Connecticut Shade leaf.
Peanuts and cashews are the primary flavors of this milder cigar and it makes for a very enjoyable afternoon smoke. Though the initial draw is sweet and mild, the end is closer to a creamy butter, the kind you would find at a Mennonites’ shop rather than the grocery.
6. Reserva Especial El Jocko
The first thing you’ll notice is that it feels like holding a flying saucer in your hands, with both ends of the cigar neatly tapered to a point. The wrapper is semi-dark with a pleasantly oily look, like so many of the richest La Flor wrappings seem to be.
The tobacco in the El Jocko is imported from Ecuador with a Connecticut Seed Habano 2000 wrapper. La Flor somehow managed to combine bold with light as the first draw will make clear.
Cocoa and sweet cane sugar are the dominant flavors but by no means overpowering, especially when you reach the end of this delightful cigar.
7. Little Cigars Daquiri 10/10 Maduro
If you enjoy a good cigar but are in a position where you just don’t have the time to thoroughly enjoy one from start to finish, the La Flor Cigars are the perfect fill-ins. In fact, the Little Cigars are some of the best-selling in the world, even out of the La Flor line of excellent cigars.
They are flavorful without being overpowering and La FLor managed to keep the draw as smooth and controlled in their Little Cigars as they do with their much larger cousins. The medium to full-bodied flavors you expect are all here and in abundance.
8. Ligero Cabinet Oscuro L400
This is one of La Flor Dominicana’s limited-release cigars and deserves to be in that category. The wrapper is very dark, oily, and rich in color with an initial draw that is a combination of weathered oak and cocoa.
Most cigar aficionados consider this to be an easy smoke and they’re right, especially if you enjoy woody flavors from beginning to end. Like many of La Flor’s cigars, this one has a bit of spice to it as well.
The spice works out well since this cigar is not meant for someone who is in a rush. Take your time and enjoy this one.
9. Air Bender Poderoso
The Air Bender Poderoso has the lightest wrapper on our list but it doesn’t lack the rich aesthetic that summarizes the visual appeal of La Flor Dominicana’s extensive lineup. The Poderoso is a slow burn which is just as well since this particular cigar is short and thick.
It’s a full-bodied flavor that’s stronger than its medium-full labeling implies. From start to finish there is a solid mix of coffee beans, spicy pepper, and aged Maplewood. The aroma matches the flavor.
The slow burn will fill up the room with a sweet molasses smell, akin to the old-school way of manufacturing large vats of molasses on a grinder with two mules.
10. Oro Tubo Chisel
A flashing gold ring in a sea of dark leather is the first thought that comes to mind when you set your sights on the Oro Tubo Chisel. And, it has a chisel shape, hence the name.
Cocoa is the first flavor to hit your taste buds and, as it happens, your nose as well. This is a very dark cocoa, with a hint of sweetness against an ocean of pleasant bitterness. As you burn through the halfway point, you’ll get some fruit in there as well.
While there’s no exact fruit to point a finger at, it’s definitely tinged with a subtropical aroma. Perhaps a mixture of coconut, pineapple, and melon.
Bottom Line
La Flor Dominicana is far from the oldest cigar manufacturer in the world. But, with a mind like Litto Gomez has, they may as well be. It’s rare to find a cigar company that produces so many fine cigars.
Whether you prefer a little spice, something smooth, a mellow afternoon, or a serious kick, La Flor Dominicana has a cigar especially wrapped for you. The best part is, you won’t find yourself selling your disposable organs on the black market to afford one.
If you’re looking for some refinement in your life and a place to go in the early evenings, or late afternoons, just to enjoy some peace and quiet, bring a La Flor Dominicana with you and enjoy.
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I have been smoking cigars for 30 years and counting, I started at 18 years old with mild Cubans and worked my way up to medium and now bold. I own 4 humidors, that I try to keep stocked at all times.
