Stogie Commentary: Looking at the LFD Line
22 Sep 2010
Lately, I’ve been trying something a little different in my approach to new cigars. I’m working my way through the extensive La Flor Dominicana (LFD) portfolio of blends. So far, it’s been an interesting and enjoyable adventure, one you might want to consider replicating with a line of your own choosing.
I don’t limit my smoking to LFDs, just picking a different one when the spirit moves me. I began, more or less, by accident. Over the years, I’ve shied away from LFDs because I remember them just overwhelming me with their strength. But I’d smoked quite a few Air Benders lately and found them to be excellent cigars.
So, when a Double Ligero Chisel that had been nestling for months in my humidor caught my eye, I’d I thought I’d give it a try. Again, it was a fine smoke, and I decided to explore more of Litto Gomez’s cigars. My next was a natural Ligero 400, which I thought was even better than the Double.
As with most of my pursuits, I’m just winging it, making selections by whim and happenstance. It has been a great trip, with only one disappointment. That was the Limitado III, a big stick that began nicely but wasn’t complex or compelling enough to satisfy for the time it occupied. I was bored by the time I hit the midpoint and glad to lay it down awhile later.
About the only other negative impression I have is with the chisel shape. I find it somewhat annoying, but that’s a personal reaction and others may like it.
On the positive and impressive side of the scale, the quality of construction, draw, and burn on every LFD I’ve smoked has been consistently excellent. That’s quite a compliment for an operation that is involved in tobacco from start to finish and produces an extensive line.
That extensive line—from the Connecticut shade natural and maduro Premium Line to the new Double Ligero Maduro—promises to keep me busy for quite some time. I’ll keep you posted on how it’s going.
photo credit: La Flor Dominicana
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
George,
I've done the same thing with the Perdomo line. I don't think I've missed a single variety or vitola and I've enjoyed the journey. I'll have to give the LFD brand another shot. I also have a chisel sitting in my humidor and I think it's almost a year old. I was badly burned by an Air Bender Matatan. I had a plug somewhere in the cigar and I wrote it off entirely, having highly anticipated smoking it.
Cheers,
Nick
It's nice to hear you're more partial to the regular Ligero line versus the Double. I've lately had the same experience. I shied away from the Ligero line at first because who would not want "Double" of something, right? Yeah, but as I found out, it's not all about the moniker. The regular Ligero line is more savory and complex, to my palate anyway. I'd rather have that than pure brute strength; though I'm still a DL fan, especially the DL Maduro Chisel. By the way, if you haven't tried this yet, punching the chisel on one or both sides is the recommended method over cutting off the tip.
Try the new Salamon Maduro. An unbelievable 2+ hour smoke.
How are you cutting your chisels? Punch, cut or pinching the tip? That may have an effect. I personally love them and the Airbender Chisel is a real treat.
I agree that the regular Ligero line has more flavor than the DL line…especially the Cabinet (Oscuro) variations. I went through almost a month or so of smoking through almost the entire LFD line last year. It had some definite winners and a few surprising disappointments…El Museo was particularly disappointing for a $30 cigar. I agree that this is a good exercise to undertake for any cigar enthusiast…pick a manufacturer and smoke everything you can get your hands on by that company in a month's time. You may not want to do this again with a second company, but I think the experience of doing it at least once is very interesting.
Nick – Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the AB. So far, I've encountered nothing but excellent construction and draw on all the LFDs I've smoked.
Foe & Timothy – I have tried punching the chisel. But I think it's the overall shape of the foot that doesn't appeal to me. Personal taste, I guess.
DMJones – So far, I haven't smoked any high-end LFDs during this journey. But I certainly plan to, though El Museo may now go to the bottom of my list!
DMJones & George- Please, don't write off the El Museo. It's a fantastic smoke.
Is it worth $30? I have trouble saying that any cigar is truly worth that price. Still, I think it certainly isn't out of place next to other cigars that cost that much, like the Padron Family Reserve.
It's all a matter of opinion. I got 3 free sticks when I bought El Museo, bringing the actual price down to about $16 or so when considering the value of the other sticks. IMO, it wasn't worth that, either. I would consider it a good $10-12 smoke, nothing more.
On the other hand, I thought the Salomon (Habano…I haven't had the Maduro) was worth every penny of the $25 I paid for it…enough so that I bought a second one and if my budget allowed for it, I would think about buying a box.
I'm definitely not giving up on it. But then again, I don't smoke $30 cigars all that often, so I'll probably wait for something to celebrate.
Two unique Litto-made cigars are the "Billy Club" (made for and sold only by Jack Schwartz, Chicago) and the "Twins Blend" (made for and sold only by Twins Smoke Shop, Londonderry, NH). Both, I think are reasonably priced. Unfortunately, due to their uniqueness, we may not see either of them reviewed except on some user forums.
I have had terrible luck with LFD cigars in the past. Some were so plugged, I accepted a second one at no charge from my local shop. IMO, even for $7 LFD should know how to roll and control quality. One of my fav's is the dl452, and I will now try the "lighter" version as well. I also like the coronado a bunch, but don't get much flavor, for me, in the bender. I'm sure most know the price for museo has much to do with the art and ideals behind it. As an aside, I paid almost $25 for ashton esg once, and was dumbfounded at the lack of anything from it as well.