It’s been a couple weeks, have you missed me? It killed me to leave my review slot vacant last week, but there just something about living out of a suitcase in a guest bedroom while your floorboards are torn up that make it hard to review a cigar. (Or even smoke one, for that matter.) Hopefully this review of the La Flor Dominicana Colorado Oscuro will make up for my absence.
The Colorado Oscuro was introduced earlier this year at the IPCPR trade show as a limited production cigar, that is slated to be released twice a year. As of the time of this writing, the initial shipment of these cigars has already made its way to the brick and mortars around the country, and are already becoming hard to find. When you do see them in the wild, you’ll find the cigars in 50 count cabinets in any of the four sizes: No. 2 (4 1/4 x 48), No. 3 (5 x 50), No. 4 (5 1/4 x 54) or No. 5 (5 3/4 x 60).
But what’s really interesting about the Colorado Oscuro is the wrapper. It’s ligero from Ecuador. that’s something you just gotta try if you enjoy ligero. And I do.
Cigar Stats:
Size: 5 1/4 x 54
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Ligero Sumatra
Binder: Dominican Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Smoking Time: 1 1/2 hours
Beverage: Water
Source: Purchased by reviewer
Price: MSRP $7.50
The Pre-Smoke
In a word, the La Flor Dominicana Oscuro Colorado is gorgeous. I love the dark, oily wrapper, its rustic look, the tooth and the long fine veins that trace it. I also really like the way the dark, subtlety brown band makes the cigar look luxurious without being ostentatious. It also has a great feel in the hand, firm but with a pleasant amount of give. It’s hard to decide if I want to smoke it, or take a bite out of it.
The wrapper’s funky compost aroma quickly dissuaded me from turning this into a chewing tobacco review. The cold draw hinted that I was in for smooth sailing, and offered a deep sweetness and a little spice.
The Burn
Things weren’t quite as perfect in the burn department, but When you consider the cigar’s wrapped in ligero, its performance was still pretty impressive. Generally speaking the sticks burned evenly and produced reasonably-sized solid ashes, but each also required the occasional touch up, and a relight or two. On the bright side, the all-important draw was perfect every time.
The Flavor
The initial puffs of the Colorado Oscuro were rich and syrupy, with grass, leather and an orange-like acidity handling the introductions. There weren’t much in the way of major flavor transitions between the thirds, so I’ll dispense with that formality. What the cigar didn’t have in major flavor developments it made up for with subtle and balanced flavors. Syrupy grass, orange acidity, sweet and smokey paprika, cinnamon, white pepper and cedar worked together gracefully for the duration of the smoke, with enough minor variations to keep you interested.
The Price
No issues with the price.
The Verdict
I’m not sure if I did a good job of hiding that I was already in the tank for the Colorado Oscuro before I even started working on this review. I’ve been smoking the heck out of them ever since the appeared in my local shop. Though they may have minor burn flaws, they draw perfectly and are simply delicious. And at the moment, I can’t bring myself to smoke anything else La Flor Dominicana makes while they are an option. The 50-count box makes it a little tough to technically call it box-worthy, but I have no doubt I’ll burn it through at least a normally-sized box worth before this batch is gone, a five pack at a time. I’d say that qualifies. This is one cigar that shouldn’t be missed.
Liked It: Yes, box-worthy
Buy It Again: Yes
Recommend It: Yes
The Giveaway
It’s peanutbutter jelly time, indeed. To make up for leaving you hanging last week, I’m giving away some La Flor Dominicana gear from Brian’s Secret Stash o’ Swag. To win a LFD suede hat and an ashtray (both unused, of course), all you have to do is leave a comment below. Tell me what you did last week instead of gazing longingly on The Tower of Burn. A random number generator and I will rock-paper-scissors to see who wins. (So it will probably be random, but it also might not be.) Get your comments in by next Tuesday, because the winner will be selected on Wednesday, October 19th 27th. Be sure to use a valid email address so I can get your mailing address.
And the winner is… Joe T.!
Tower of Burn
Here for your viewing pleasure is my trademark Tower of Burn.
First comment! Woo. Go Buckhead Cigar! LOL All I did last week was turn a lot of cigars to ash.
last week I got to try a lot of new cigars. I tried one of these and it knocked me on my ass. I haven’t had a cigar do that in a long time.
I’ve had the n1 and these sticks are fab! I really dig small size cigars cause they give me the opportunity to light one up on my lunch break, and it’s true there isn’t much change in the taste so the smaller size is perfect.
I spent last week bemoaning the lack of the Tower of Burn and raiding my humidors to compensate for it. Unfortunately, there were no LFDs in there to be had.
I took some stogie burning time off due to strep throat.
Instead of gazing longingly at the Tower of Burn, I actually got some work done. Data analysts are still trying to figure out why my company’s productivity spiked last week.
Work. Eat. Sleep. And somewhere in between all of that I managed to smoke some cigars too, a few of the ones you just reviewed. Which reminds me, I need to get a few more fivers of these, they are great.
I cried
Worked like usual, sucked. Gotta try these sticks. Thanks
I was forced to…gulp, read cigar feed!!!!
WINNER!
Great short Review Brian, the Pictures look awesome!! Last week I cried myself to sleep do to the lack of Tower of Burn!!!
Last week I received a sampler from an online site and 2 of the 15 cigars had BEETLES!!!!! I called them up and recified the problem by them sending me a new stinky!!!
Saturday I went to a herf in Dublin, OH and tried a new cigar and enjoyed good times with people on Cigarasylum.
Thanks for the contest!
Took a few days off for a golf trip with some friends.We had a great time golfing,drinking and smoking La Flor Dominicano Air Benders.
Great review mate, good to see the ‘Tower of Burn’ and definitely a good cigar to return with. Last week (as will this week) comprised of emends to two manuscripts I am developing for publication, need to get them out; as such, have restricted my cigar smoking until complete. I have a couple exceptional cigars as rewards in waiting. Keep up the great reviews.
Cheers mate
Instead of gazing longingly at the Tower of Burn, and instead of burning the midnight oil working on renovations to the homestead, I was burning some cigars of my own! Oh what a feeling.
I went to Germany last week to get you a Weissbier glass.
And for that, you’re already a winner… at life. But not this contest, at least not yet.
nice short review, when you gonna make a video review? lol. was this a nict bomb? keep up the good work!
I’ll start doing videos just as soon as a drop a foot in height, go bald and take a liking to meat that comes in a tin from Hormel. (Shots fired!)
It had a little power to it, but it didn’t strike me as particularly strong. But then I’m sure someone new to cigars would definitely feel it.
Last week I did in fact score a small grip of this stick. I have only burned the small corona size. Really good stick. I’m going to burn the larger size today as my Godaughter was born on 10-10-11. Keep up the good reads.
More video… well audio really. I do not have the self control to wait til I get home to read/watch the reviews so I try to work while listening. Last week I was in Austin enjoying some great brew, excellent company, and sharing my passion for cigars.
Love me some LFDs
My girl and I went out to our usual club on Saturday night to hang out with our friends that work there. One is a professional pole, silk and ring dancer who also teaches.
On of the bands playing that night became an instant favorite. This Way To the Egress. They are a dark burlesque band. Great music to smoke cigars and pipes to.
Let’s see… last week… Mainly worked on “fun” tech stuff, watched my son play soccer (he scored his first two goals of the season, and then drowned my frustration from a two month long battle with a car dealership over issues of a recent purchase in booze accompanied by a few different cigars. Tried a couple for the first time (best was a Murcielago) and then a few old reliables. Great to see you back!
I did nothing… I sat there in front of the screen in a panic induced state of catatonia. Where is he? Is he alright? Will he come back? Was that his last post? Was he eaten by weasels? Has he fallen down a crevase? These are the questions that whirled through my mind. Don’t ever do that again.
Really looking forward to getting my hands on these.
Had some good smokes and brews with a few buds. Always a good time
I was having a miniature panic attack from not getting my weekly dose of Brian Hewitt. I also smoked yet another cigar, trying to take advantage of whatever smoke-friendly weather I have left this season.
i spent the time watching my new born baby. i deserve a cigar break.
I’ve been waiting for someone to review this cigar, nice job Brian. Your experience with this cigar is identical to mine. LFD was my favorite line already and I was in the middle of a frenzy on the perfecto habano for a couple months when I first smoked the robusto in this line and that was it. For the last month or so this is almost all I’ve smoked exclusively. So far my favorite cigar this year. By the 5 er or by the box of 50, worth every dime. Run, don’t walk, to get these.
Last week I smoked several LFD Colorado Oscuros
I didn’t do anything different that normal. Why would you being out for a week make a change in mine? lol
I worked & attended soccer & tae kwon do & read stories & watched football & worked in the yard & smoked a cigar every evening except one night but made up for it on Sat. Had 2 of the LFD from Harbor Cigars in Destin 60 guage monsters & loved em but with all my other recent purchases, I don’t want to spend the $ for a box of 50…
work, sleep, work, sleep, work, sleep, work, sleep, work, cigar, sleep,
Last week I was busy on South Padre Island with an education conference that afforded me little time for my usual SR reading, so your timing was impeccable!
Staring longingly at youngbuck…. and watching tv sleeping eating. And Smoking cigars.
No comment. LOL
Great review again Brian we’ve all missed the tower of burn. Last week I went on a business trip to Atlanta, found a great lounge to have a stogie and a drink (or a few of both) and made a couple of new friends. Hats off to Buckhead for the great selection and atmosphere btw! When I returned home, I rested a Curivari in my humi from the trip and told my wife about all the stogies I smoked and about this guy I met who actually had on a hawaiin shirt and jorts out in public! Priceless. Thanks again for the review.
Jorts and a Hawaiian shirt? Sounds like a heckuva great guy to me. Glad you enjoyed your time here in tha ATL.
Oooww Great review. Last week… I finished my ManCave!
Just like Mark I spent a good portion of my week with my newborn son. Great review by the way, I really want to give these a try!! Thanks Brian
Last week was spent enjoying some mid week golf as I found out I got a job after being unemployed for a bit. Its good to be back in the game and making some money but I sure am gonna miss mid week golf. Welcome back and thanks for the great review as always.
These quickly became my favorite La Flors. Last week my Casa de Tobacco arrived and I giggled like a school boy. Right now, as in the past, Litto is doing something special. The Airbender Maduro isn’t as dark as those in the stock photos but they are mighty tasty. You can retrohale the entire stick.
I haven’t had a Litto Gomez/LFD cigar I didn’t like. Local B&Ms here don’t sell them, so I spring to have a single or three, sometimes a 5-pack, tossed in to an on line vendor order now and then. Been working hard on the planning and execution of some serious home renovations this month. Trying to make what we want happen while balancing what we can afford is proving to be quite the challenge!
I’m a check one of these out at the shop. Still a huge fan of the chisel Maduro!!
I’m enjoying scrolling up and down this page, watching your trademarked Tower O’ Burn diminish to a nub, and then reconstitute itself again! VERY entertaining. Kinda like one of those old flip books that came in a box of Cracker Jacks, that became a little cartoon when it was flipped thru.
What did I do last week? Hell, I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning. Sorry.
I think you said it perfectly when you said that this cigar makes up for a lack of variation and development in terms of offering great balance in the flavors. This one’s a new favorite – too bad it’s hard to get a hold of.
Sounds like a good stick. Have to try one. Thanks for the review. I was in conference call hell starting early Monday morning to late Friday night. I did get a chance to enjoy a few nice cigars in the evenings, including a La Flor Dominicana Ligero.
Another stellar review Brian. Last week i was in my 5th week with this bronchial pneumonia. It would be nice to have these sticks waiting for me when I am finally able to enjoy cigars again.
I’ve always wanted to try a LFD. That may be the plan for next week but last week I was smoking some cheap sticks (Bahia Blue).
Last week I worked a bunch of overtime to support my cigar habit and practiced hacking this site. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews about these. Thanks Brian. – Leo_botl
…..oh sorry I was gazing at the hypnotizing Tower of Burn…spent some time at my new favorite shop @Omnitobacco and hung out with Lou Rodriquez. Fun!
I am a college student at the University at Buffalo and last week I had 4 exams. So as you can imagine, i spent all last week in the library. Then I went to a University at Buffalo hockey game. Go Bulls. Awesome review, my friend Taylor raves about LFD.
Great review! Smoking an LFD as I type this. Does have some burn issues but I enjoy them just the same. The guy at my local shop loves these.
Thanks for the review. Going to enjoy a few upon your recommendation. Keep up the good work!