Things are taking a darker turn in the latest of our cigar reviews, as I smoke the La Flor Dominicana La Nox, Latin for “the night.”
La Flor Dominicana La Nox Cigars offer an alluring change-up from a brand usually known for more mellow offerings, like the La Flor Dominicana Light and the La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero.
Dark in appearance with its sumptuously sweet and rustic Brazilian Maduro wrapper, the cigar uses a mix of aged Dominican fillers from the company’s La Canela farm and a Mexican San Andrés binder.
The dark, oily leaf is perfectly accented by shiny blue and white bands, the top band featuring a crescent moon and cloud design. This beautiful night scene is said to be inspired by Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, but does the La Nox paint its own masterpiece when it comes to flavor?
Brand overview
Husband and wife duo Litto and Inez Gomez launched La Flor Dominicana Cigars in 1996, but it was their son Tony Gomez who was the visionary behind this dark-themed smoke.
The estate-grown tobacco they use means all La Flor Dominicana cigars have distinct characters and flavor profiles.
La Flor Dominicana is at the forefront of innovation, particularly with cigar sizes. Whether it’s The Chisel with a head shaped like a wedge, or you strike it lucky with the bowling pin shape of the El Jocko Perfecto, they continue to enamor cigar enthusiasts.
Arguably, their pinch-me moment came in 2016, when the company’s La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull charged its way to the coveted Cigar Of The Year award for 2016.
Undoubtedly one of the most prestigious names in the industry, La Flor Dominicana manufactures its premium smokes out of its impressive factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic.
Committed to quality, consistency, and exemplary customer service, let’s see if the La Flor Dominicana La Nox resembles the magic of nighttime. It’s a time when our senses are heightened, and chaos and noise from the day turns to silence and solitude. Little wonder it’s one of the most popular times of the day to enjoy a stogie.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Strength: Full
- Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
- Binder: Mexican San Andrés
- Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano and Dominican Pelo De Oro
- Sizes Available:
Cold draw
The Brazilian wrapper is devilishly sweet with floral perfume, sweet hay, and barnyard aromas. The whiff of strong paprika in the foot has a sweet edge, with notes of cocoa and Mexican chocolate floating nearby.
Following a crisp, clean cut, the dry draw delivers earthy hints, rich nuttiness, and a tingly hit of white pepper. The moment had arrived to break the night with color, so let’s see what happens once I’ve toasted my La Nox.
First third
The initial draws of the La Nox are spicy and woody, with a divine pork barbecue aroma that has my mouth watering. The blast of deep spice doesn’t last long, settling into a relatively dry profile of earthy wood, dry cocoa, cedar, and occasional white pepper.
Moderate amounts of smoke grace the air with each puff, and chocolate flourishes make the profile notably sweeter at around an inch and a half.
Second third
The strength of the La Nox increases in the second third, with dark chocolate, espresso, and toasted oak flavors taking center stage. Cedar and the white pepper raise their game and become a close secondary note.
Some sweet creaminess is also starting to bear influence through the nose, which is offset against subtle sharp apple cider to offer a lingering, slightly tart sensation.
Final third
The sweetness disappears in the final third, with rich flavors of cedar, charred vanilla, leather, and dark toast coating my palate with interest. A little further in, there are traces of bitter coffee or espresso, with some refreshing mintiness present on the retrohale.
As the La Nox draws to a close, a late influx of anise surprises me, giving the cigar a robust, aromatic intensity.
Conclusion
While some flavors were dark, the La Flor Dominicana La Nox is an ideal evening or final smoke during a session for both novices and seasoned puffers.
There is plenty of aggressive sweetness from the Brazilian wrapper, but the unique flavor profile also serves as a fun introduction to the La Flor Dominicana brand, with its understated nuances and transitions.
Don’t be afraid of the dark — lighten up your life by picking up a box of 20 from cigars.com today!
