La Flor Dominicana Archives

Half Ashed 182: LFD Air Bender Maduro

September 1, 2018 By Kip Fisher

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro

The La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro is a cigar that has tempted me since its release. In early 2011 I visited the Dominican Republic for the first time and toured a farm where the Gomez family grows some of its tobacco. Not typically a fan of LFD I often overlooked their releases. The visit to their fields was a welcome awakening for my palate. My traveling companions and I were treated to Air Bender Torpedos and I was immediately surprised by the blend. Being one to typically shy away from strength to the n^th power, I expected nothing else from the famed “double” and “triple ligero” manufacturer. I was shocked to find a blend nuanced with spice, sweetness, and hard flavors wrapped in subtlety. Pair that blend with a sweeter Maduro wrapper and I was intrigued. Fast forward to last winter and I finally had a chance to get my hands on some of them.

This 6-½”x54 behemoth of a cigar has Dominican internals and a Brazilian Habano wrapper. It’s aroma is unique in a spicy sort of presentation and the prelight is similar. The cigar reminds me of a spiced and harder version of the original. Bitter citrus notes cut through the low end to come together in an enjoyable, different package. Speaking of packaging, this cigar was only available in 24 count “Curing Barn” humidors.

Cigar News

Happy birthday Bob McDuffee!

IPCPR was this past week, and as expected there isn’t a huge number of new cigar introductions. I did notice several new things coming from Fuente, although most are limited items that are incentives for retailers. The thing that most readily caught my eye was that the 888 will be available in the Opus blend. I love this size, and frankly I believe Fuente shines in these smaller ring cigars (Casa Fuente lancero, Don Carlos lancero, Opus lancero, etc.). The 888, of course, was the Añejo vitola that launched a few years ago in limited fashion. It is one of my favorites in the line, and I’m betting it could be a favorite for my tastes in the Opus line (which I often pass over in favor of Don Carlos or Hemingway). It will be 6.875” x 44, and is listed as a Dominican puro (obviously). I have to admit, I haven’t been this excited over an Opus introduction in a long time. MSRP is $13.50, but as we all know all bets are off when they actually land on retailers’ shelves…

In a followup to a judgment that went against the cigar industry with reservations, Judge Amit P. Mehta has ruled in another case that the labeling requirements required by the incoming FDA rule must be delayed until 60 days after another pending case has been completed. The labeling requirements have long been considered one of the more onerous items in the rules, and many companies have already invested a great deal of time and money into preparing.

Halfwheel reported on a new Total Flame cigar that is on its way, which includes some Iranian tobacco in the filler blend. It will feature a CT wrapper over Indonesian Sumatra binder and fillers from Iran, Nicaragua, and PA. You may remember this company from Bob McDuffee’s focus back at IPCPR 2012. I have never smoked their lineup, but I’m fascinated with the idea of Iranian tobacco considering the near- and middle-eastern prominence in pipe tobaccos. I’m intrigued as to whether the tobacco will be similarly treated during the curing process, and if they might provide a fire-cured nuance. Anyone who sees these should drop us a line and let us know how it goes….although total production is only 10k, and only half that in will ship to the U.S.

Smokers of AJ Fernandez’ San Lotano Oval will be disappointed to hear that the line is being discontinued, reportedly to avoid confusion with their Requiem line. Apparently, CI has opted to buy out the remaining inventory to make it an exclusive for them until inventory is depleted. Better act quickly….

Drew Estate has entered into the bundle cigar arena, with some very inexpensive value priced cigars. I’m wondering how this will go, and how much influence is coming from parent company Swisher in this endeavor. I could speculate, but probably shouldn’t….tune in to the show to find out why.

Our buddy Luis at La Tradicion Cubana is releasing some aged cigars he’s been sitting on for many years. Fourteen years, to be exact. The cigars are known as the JML 1902 Reserva Familiar, and were rolled at his factory in 2004. The blend is a PA wrapper over Dominican Criollo ‘98 binder and PA filler. I wonder Production numbers haven’t been released, but they will retail for $6-7 in two vitolas – 5”x50 robusto and 7”x50 churchill

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Maduro Robusto Extra
Tatuaje Cabaiguan Maduro Robusto Extra
Tatuaje Cabaguan Maduro Robusto Extra

Kip

Dunbarton Tobacco Trust Sobremesa Robusto Largo (5.25”x52)…”the marker”
OMS Pipes…mostly with MacBaren Navy Flake. Wow!
I replaced my Xikar MTX scissors. Oh, sweet mystery of life at last I’ve found you!

Episode 157: La Flor Dominicana TAA 47

January 8, 2017 By Kip Fisher

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La Flor Dominicana TAA 47th

Last year’s (fabled, per Craig) selection process led to the finished product we have before us – the La Flor Dominicana TAA 47th. It’s a 5.5” x 52 robusto extra that features an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Dominican/Nicaraguan filler mix. It was available only through TAA member shops, and retailed for about $9 per stick.

Cigar News

The much anticipated…and much maligned…CA Top 25 list is making its rounds for 2016. If you follow the list, you probably already know that the La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull topped it at number 1. I (Kip) haven’t personally smoked this cigar yet, but I have read a bit about it. In fact, quite a few of the things I read deemed it as being uncharacteristic of the typical LFD portfolio. The anecdotal trend I am seeing is folks saying it’s not as potent as the company’s standard fare, with perhaps more of a spicy profile. I suppose I’ll have to track them down, because nicotine-heavy blends has been one of my personal reasons I avoid the brand most of the time (although there are a few I will reach for on occasion, like the Airbender). I’d love to hear what some of our listeners think of it – because this list is often polarizing for the magazine’s readership, and I’m interested to see what Johnny-on-the-street has to say about the cigar. The 6.5” figurado retails for about $15, and features a Corojo-seed Ecuador Habano wrapper over a blend of Dominican Criollo ’98, an undefined hybrid, and some Pelo d’Oro.

Lots of legislative news since our last show. First, a very brief update in the form of a date. July 28, 2017. This is the date that the joint CRA//IPCPR//CAA lawsuit will have its day in court. We’ve covered this in recent shows in terms of its initial filing and the FDA’s response. We’re going to have to wait a few more months before anything really starts to move with it….

Moving along into the second bit of legislative info, the FDA has now alleged that several companies are falsely marketing cigarettes as “Little Cigars.” Swisher is the only company in the list that I recognize having a tie to our standard roster of cigar companies, with their past premium division and current ownership of Drew Estate. Frankly, despite my (Kip’s) typical displeasure with the FDA’s asserted long arm, I’m kinda onboard with this reach. Similar loophole wrangling led to some portion of the mess we’re in today (i.e. roll-your-own tobacco being marketed as pipe tobacco in FL, etc.). If these are cigarettes, call them cigarettes. THIS is why we need a solid definition that differentiates premium cigars from other types of tobacco products. I’m not alleging Swisher did this, but there were a number of cigarette makers in 2009 that simply changed the color of their paper wrapper to brown and called them “little cigars” to manoeuvre the tax framework. These things are sized like cigarettes, have similar composition, and are packaged much alike…

Representative Mark Meadows (NC, Rep.) has compiled and presented a list of over 200 regulations that could beneficially be repealed by incoming President Trump. One of these regulations is the FDA’s claim on regulating tobacco products – specifically premium cigars. The list specifically notes the fear of the overwhelming pre-review process that the industry now faces. Story on Cigar Coop

The 20th Anniversary Opus X has hit the market…in the brand’s 21st year (of course). A number of retailers have been busily posting pictures as they land in stores. The line comes in four sizes: Believe (5 3/4 x 52), Father & Son (6 1/4 x 49), God’s Whisper (6 1/2 x 56) and Power of a Dream (6 3/8 x 52). They come in 20-count boxes with MSRP pricing ranging from $17.75-20 per cigar. I have a couple of these from the 2014 CFC, although without the fancy blue packaging. They were distributed at this event with a simple secondary “Hublot” band, and no information given except they were 20th Anniversary Opus. I suppose it’s time to break them out…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Alphonso custom corona 11/16 from Zedman

Punch London Club Maduro

Perdomo Lot 23 Habano

Kip

SevenSeven Cigars – Sumatra (Ec Sumatran wrapper, Criollo ‘98 binder, Piloto Cubano, Nicaraguan, Criollo ‘98 fillers) milder in flavor but just as potent as its Sumatran brother. Habano (Habano wrapper, Criollo ‘98 binder, Piloto Cubano, Nicaraguan, Criollo ‘98 fillers) – Occasional crispness, but generally came across with lots of dark chocolate flavors.

Tatuaje Skinny Monsters – I’ve begun smoking through these as I get the chance. I’m keeping some notes on each and will post them up once I’m through the lineup. So far, I think the Mummy has been my favorite…which is peculiar, because I believe it has been my least favorite in the full size offerings.

Half Ashed Episode 105: La Flor Dominicana 1994

March 10, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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La Flor Dominicana 1994

Welcome to Episode 105 of Half Ashed, featuring the La Flor Dominicana 1994 as our Cigar of the Week. Here was my description for the cigar:

The “1994” was launched this past year to commemorate the Gomez’ family’s 20 years in the cigar business. There are 4 vitolas in the regular production lineup (which is what we’re smoking tonight): Conga (5×52), Aldaba (6×58), Rumba (6.5×52) and Mambo (7×54). There is also one 6×54 Limited vitola that shipped in beer steins. Unlike the regular production, this version carries a maduro Mexican San Andres wrapper. Tonight’s cigar, however, has a *natural* version of the same wrapper over Dominican binder and fillers. After having smoked a dozen or so of these in its young life, I’ve had a strange wandering opinion of this cigar…..but more on that as the show progresses. They range from $6.50-7.00 in the Tampa market in box quantities of 20. The limited Beer Stein edition, if you can still find them, runs about $225 for the stein and 20 cigars.

News

From Jeff Borysiewicz: Big day for us at Corona Cigar and our Florida Sun Grown tobacco team. It’s been nearly 40 years since the last cigar leaf was grown in the Sunshine State. Willie Herrera and the Drew Estate team put together a pair of outstanding blends using ‪#‎Cuban‬ seed, Florida Sun Grown tobacco from our 2013 inaugural crop. There is less than 800 lbs of this unique tobacco so any cigars that use FSG will be a true micro blend in every sense of the word. We look forward to the near future when we can share these cigars and this fruits of our labor and dedication with other retailers and cigar aficionados PICTURE

Governor Tom Wolf of PA has proposed a $30 billion state spending plan that would, in part, rely on hefty tobacco taxes for funding. This would include a cigar tax at 40% of wholesale, in drastic contrast to the current status of having no cigar tax. The plan includes a $1 per pack increase on cigarettes (from $1.60 to $2.60 per pack), and 40% of wholesale on smokeless tobacco, large cigars, loose tobacco and e-cigarettes. The governor expects an additional $358 Million of revenue from the cigarette tax and $84 million from cigars and OTP. The cigar retail industry currently thrives in PA, largely due to the fact that surrounding states’ higher tax rates have driven them to the state. Retailers have pointed this out, and some report even considering a move to Florida should the tax be passed into legislation. PA is home to large cigar retailers Famous Smoke Shop and Cigars International, as well as numerous other smaller retail operations. STORY HERE

Crowned Heads will be releasing another state-exclusive cigar, the Yellow Rose for Texas. The blend matches that of previously released Tennessee Waltz – CT broadleaf wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. It will retail for $9.50 per cigar, and only be available from Texas retailers with Crowned Heads accounts. Shipping late March/early April

For the 6th year in a row, EP Carillo will be releasing a Short Run blend. The line will be shipping some time in the next couple of weeks. Unlike earlier iterations, the 2015 Short Run will feature a Nicaraguan wrapper – a 98 Criollo coming out of Jalapa. The binder will be Nicaraguan and filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican leaf. They will be delivered in 24 count boxes and three vitolas: 5×50 Napoleon, 6×52 Vencedores, and 6×60 Imperios.

Before the 10th installment of Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series has even shipped, the 11th has been announced. It will be the Little Big Delicious, produced via Room101 for the series. The blend will be the same as the Big Delicious from 2013, only shorter at 4.5”: Ec Habano wrapper over Honduran corojo binder and filler mix from Honduras, the DR, Brazil and Nicaragua.

There will be an extension to one of my favorites “go-to” cigars – the My Father Flor de las Antillas. A maduro version is slated to be released at the 94th Anniversary party for Federal Cigars in New Hampshire. The cigar will be in a 4.5”x50 vitola, and will be available in-store at the shop’s part March 14th, and on the website March 16th. The original Instagram poster remarked that you won’t see the line again for the next year and a half after the celebration…

Quesada Espana Madness! CDM cigars and Federal Cigar are each getting their own special release of the Espana; a beli-lance for CDM (and a new and a Petit beli for the latter. Quesada also announced that a regular lance will be released again to Stogies in Houston. These are a “special” special release having been wrapped in a 3rd band specifically labeled H-Town to celebrate the shops great success and loyal following for the pencil sized vitola.

Habanos Man of the Year talk: Three awards were given for Habanos Man of the Year. Gary Heathcott, an American freelance writer who has supported humanitarian aid to Cuba and other Latin nations, won in the communications category; George Fereos, who owns and operates the Casa del Habano in Cyprus, won in the business category; and Rogelio Ortuzar, a Cuban farmer who has been producing tobacco for more than 40 years, earned the nod in the production category. From CA

Habanos news: The new Anejados are out; and they’re rather controversial. Word on the street is that they’re just a regular production cigar, picked out of the escaparate, and slapped with a special blend. RyJ Torpedo & Montecristo Churchill.

What We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

CroMagnon Breuil Panetela – Not my favorite vitola in the line. There were moments of that beautiful spicy sweet profile but it seemed somewhat ashy and overly peppery for my preference.

Kip –

Room101 Big Payback – Underfilled with a squishy head. The flavors were pleasant enough, though. I just had to smoke it with kid gloves. For $4.79 it was a respectable smoke….at $6+ I’d pass on it next time. Healthy but manageable spice; entertaining core of black tea and leather. A bit of a wonky finish though: long lasting but almost papery at times. [EDIT: In the final 3rd, became impossible to keep lit. Bummer.] The second I tried was markedly better, but I’d still be reluctant to pick up more….maybe.

Wrap Up

Next episode we will be featuring one of Craig’s selections, the Quesada España Ninfa. Be sure to tune in Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the “Contact Us!” tab at the side of this page, or at the following emails:[email protected] [email protected] Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by [email protected] This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!