La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero 660 Natural cigar review

2/25/2023

I not a huge super strong cigar fan, but I do like a pretty strong one.  This one, the first I've ever smoked of this line, is supposed to be one of the strongest.  I've been a big fan of La Flor Dominicana for 20 years, used to love their Cameroon wrapped cigars a decade or two ago.  

This one is Equadorian Sumatra wrapped with all Dominican estate grown tobaccos, with double the amount of Ligero.  

I have had a full day today.  Backpacked a few miles into the wilderness yesterday and hiked out, still carrying 40lbs of gear.  Actually slept pretty good in the tent so I'm not that tired.  It is a Saturday night, so I think I deserve a strong cigar tonight. 

Actually starts off pretty mild for the first 5 min. But now more bold.  Pretty good flavors of caramel but has a molasses taste.  Some cedar aftertaste and hints of oak and charred wood.  

You can tell it is expertly rolled.  The burn is perfect and the ash is square and perfect.  

I bought this one as an individual cigar 6 or more months ago.  Been saving it for a special night.  60 degrees tonight.  Kids went to bed early.  Been drinking some Ezra Brooks 99 proof bourbon.  Got a small fire going to keep it entertaining and to dry it out, been raining a little all day.  (Let me say, watch out with this liquor.  The 99 proof ain't no joke.  It's a sleeper liquor.  4 or 5 shots go down so smooth, but hours later, you will feel it.  So be careful.  Trust me. 6 or 7 shots will give you a hangover).  

I've read some reviews of this smoke saying the first inch was plugged and then strengthens.  My first inch has been pretty smooth and medium.  No, it ain't plugged but it is so far just medium.  

I was about to take a picture of the perfect ash, but it dropped.  Not even one inch, but 20 minutes of smoking is pretty good.  

Changing now to more molasses and charred oak.  Kind of bites the back of your tongue with good strong flavors.  

Still smooth  and slight creaminess.  Different than the milder Dominican smokes I'm used to. This one is like the recent Nicaraguans.  It is slightly sweet, with some earthiness and wood flavors, no bite, but smooth.  Most strong Dominicans have a slight bite, but this one is smooth and flavorful.  Kind of like the 99 proof Ezra Brooks, it is creeps up on you and tastes great. 

A little over 30 minutes in and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.  For $7 to $8 it better be good and it is definitely worth it.  

It's definitely building some strength and more flavors.  So far, not one of the strongest smokes.  But it is full flavored now and still smooth anf good.  

Flavors are changing to more earth and charred oak with aftertaste of molasses and wood.  Not super complex, just good flavors that get bolder with each good draw.  I like it, a lot.  This is a short smoke.  If milder, I'd probably  say I'd prefer to smoke the Gordo version, but this one is just right for me. 

I think I've put to much emphasis on the strength.  It's just right for me.  To me, it's medium to full and very smooth.  That's a great smoke to me.  

Everybody knows anybody can make a strong one, but it's really hard to make it smooth  and easy smoking.  This one leaves sweetness and full flavors on your palate, while doing so with such easy draws that smoke really slow.  Definitely some perfection in the aging and blending.  There's a reason these are limited and hard to find.  And the price is low.  Sure, they could mark it up.  It's a great old company that is what I wish all cigars companies were.  

I am feeling it now and really enjoying every part of it.  Still smooth.  It's exactly what a great cigar should be.  

Best Dominican smoke I've had in a while.  I reminisce of the the old days of strong Dominican smokes that are hard to find now. 

Yeah I'm gonna  look for more.  

Creamy, strong, and full of flavor.  What more do you want? 

Got an hour in and it is great. More and more charred oak and molasses.  It's just great.  I just love a strong natural smoke.  The ash is just hanging now for like two inches.  So well rolled. 

I'm just gonna slowly smoke it to the nub.  Even at the nub it is still sweet and creamy with boldness.  

Phish Split open and melt from 1997 is a great finish for this one.  Just keeps delivering smooth jams and good flavors.  It just keeps going and going.  The same flavors  are all married together and still so smooth and good.   Great encore.  Leaves such good flavors lingering.  

Just pure good smoking.

Overall: 93

Flavor 92, complexity 94, burn 93, experience 94, value 92.