La Flor Dominicana La Nox Toro
Posted on February 21 2021
Vitola: 6.5x50
Smoking Time: 74 Minutes
Cigars Smoked: 5
Body: Full
Wrapper: Brazilian
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Dominican
MSRP: $13
La Flor Dominicana is a household name for any cigar smoker, and for a good reason. The quality is un-compromised, and consistency is there with it. LFD is always pushing the limits, with the Chisel series for example. Now that Tommy Gomez, son and apprentice of the legend Lito Gomez, is blending, expect more quality and full bodied cigars to boost their already impressive portfolio. La Nox translates to the night, and what a fitting name.
Visual Inspection: This is one of the most visibly oily cigars i’ve ever seen! The wrapper is rugged, very rough, and veiny and the seams are almost unnoticeable. It has a very dark wrapper, with only a few spots of scattered brown. Aromas are sweet! Raisins, coffee, and barnyard are very front forward. A cold draw matches the aroma, a cooling sweetness. I haven't enjoyed a Brazilian wrapper cigar, other than these, but If they even hold a match to the La Nox, I’ll be a fan!
First Third: With a RH of 66% the La Nox took flame very nicely, making the burn line extremely sharp, however after a few minutes it wavered substantially, but I don’t see it being a problem.
The La Nox is bursting with flavor, but not exactly what I anticipated from the cold draw. Notes of powdered cocoa, coffee beans, walnut, muted plum, and a light splash of cream at the end. As we proceed, sub-flavors of damp earth are met with fresh cut green wood.
Second Third: The burn line has evened out very nicely, it isn't razor thin, but I wouldn't call it wavey either. For the first third being so spice-less the second third has gotten more bold. Black pepper, walnut, toffee, chai tea, and cinnamon notes have shown through the bold flavors of before.
The ash isn't tight, however the cigars drawn is loose, leading to a flakey ash. The color of it is a smooth grey, and a crisp slate colored smoke.
Last Third: For such a visibly oily cigar, I'm surprised how little oil is coming through. It is getting increasingly spicy, Black pepper is upfront, with increased “nutty-ness”, walnut, cream, and raspberry. The La Nox is not sweet in my opinion, when I pick up sweeter flavors, it is lacking the sugary aspect to them.
With a retrohale, the walnut really shines, with undertones of espresso, chai tea, and charred oak peaking through. As the La Nox gets to the end, it is increasingly spicy, a touch of chili pepper, while maintaining the black pepper, and what I imagine charcoal tasting like (not in a negative way).
Final Thoughts: My preference, I tend to not love the LFD core line stuff, but definitely enjoy the Cab. No. 5 Maduro, La Volcada, and now the La Nox. The flavors in this cigar are so varied, and are a true rollercoaster ride, complex and smooth. Starting out mild, and sweet as I defined prior, leading to a complex, peppery, charred experience. At a price point of $13 per stick, it's a nice medium ground. Something that doesn't call for a celebration to enjoy, but one that would be great for that too! I wouldn't give this stick to a brand new smoker, but if someone was looking to broaden their horizons this would be it.
- I am writing this review on my 4th La Nox, the only cigar that has had “draw issues”, simply loose, leading to the flakey ash.
-Sam