Let's cut to the chase - the Litto Gomez Diez Cubano hits like a freight train disguised in elegant packaging. This Dominican puro comes in a box-pressed robusto format (5"x50), packing enough power to make even seasoned smokers pause. At $13.5 per stick in 24-count boxes, it's positioned as a special occasion smoke rather than daily fare.
The box-pressed square shape feels substantial, wrapped in oily Connecticut Broadleaf maduro that's almost black. Triple-seam pigtail cap adds artisanal flair - this cigar demands attention before you even light up.
First Third: Immediate espresso bitterness backed by charred oak. Retrohale delivers black pepper sting that lingers in the nostrils. Smoke output stays moderate despite the intensity.
Middle Third: Molasses sweetness creeps in to balance the onslaught. Baking spices emerge - think nutmeg and allspice rather than cinnamon. Burn line stays razor-sharp through transitions.
Final Third: Dark chocolate ganache richness dominates. Noticeable nicotine buildup by halfway point - smoke slowly unless you want the room spinning. Ends with mineral-heavy finish resembling wet granite.
Grown in Cibao Valley's volcanic soil, the Pelo de Oro wrapper undergoes 18-month fermentation. LFD's "hot box" aging (35°C at 85% RH) accelerates flavor development. Each batch uses tobacco from single-vintage harvests - no blending across years.
Dry-box for 48 hours before smoking. At 65% RH, the flavors uncoil more gradually. Pair with black coffee or aged rum to complement (not combat) the intensity.
