This marks the first time that La Flor Dominicana released a specific Small Batch twice, let alone with a variation of the wrapper. This was essentially a top secret project by Litto Gomez as many of the people that work for La Flor Dominicana weren’t aware of this until only a week or so prior the release. Only select premier LFD retailers were asked as to whether they wanted to receive a box (up to a few) and for the most part, the response was a resounding yes. Basically, the Small Batch #4 Oscuro takes the existing Pelo de Oro wrapper which is then mixed and gently rubbed with water to create a darker shade with slightly different flavors.
I had a few questions in regards to the above and this is what Antonio Gomez had to say:
(Why produce variation of the SB #4)The Small Batch 4 is a special cigar to begin with, but why stop there? The unique process behind our oscuro wrapper has brought us a lot of success and always allows us to push our cigars to new levels.(How does the Oscuro wrapper affect the cigar)The process behind our oscuro wrapper basically pulls the natural oils within the leaf and brings them out to the surface. This drastically darkens the leaf and brings new dimensions to the cigar’s flavor.(Does making an Oscuro variation impact cost or time)The oscuro process does raise cost of production. Our factory has a section of workers completely dedicated to it. The added time and labor in turn brings a slightly higher price point for our oscuro cigars.
Production count for the Small Batch #4 Oscuro was easily the smallest out of any of the releases in the past 6 years with only 100 crates getting made. That’s nearly 60% less then the release in November and approximately 66% less than the last Small Batch #3 release in 2010.
Small Batch #4 Oscuro
Wrapper: Pelo de Oro Oscuro
Binder/Filler: Dominican
Size: 7 x 52
Expected Release Date: June 2012
Production Count: 10.5k (crates of 105)
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Small Batch #4
Wrapper: Pelo de Oro
Binder/Filler: Dominican
Size: 7 x 52
Release Date: November 2011
Production Count: 26k (crates of 105)
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Small Batch #3
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder/Filler: Dominican
Size: 6 3/4 x 52
Release Date: August 2010
Production Count: 30.5k (crates of 105)
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Small Batch #2
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder/Filler: Dominican
Size: 6 1/2 x 54
Release Date: 2007
Production Count: 30k (crates of 105)
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Small Batch #1
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder/Filler: Dominican
Size: 7 x 52
Release Date: 2006
Production Count: 20k (crates of 105)
(From L to R: Small Batch #2, #3, #4, and #4 Oscuro)
Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch #4 Oscuro
Wrapper: Pelo de Oro Oscuro
Binder/Filler: Dominican
Size: 7 x 52
Vitola: Churchill
MSRP: $18.85
Time In Humidor: 2 Days
Smoke Time: 2hr 25min
Drink: Water
Location: Backyard
Construction/Appearance:
The Pelo de Oro Oscuro wrapper has an oily rich color to it and is a few shades darker than the #4 release back in November of 2011. This cigar is toothy and has more prominent veins than the #4. Still has the trademark of being consistent and well rolled from the head to the foot without any soft spots. This cigar has some solid weight and also feels balanced. A piece of the wrapper separated from the cigar by the foot on one of them though it didn’t affect the review in any way. The easiest way to tell the difference between the Small Batch series is the length for the first three as they are different and then the “SB IV” on the side for both 4′s while the oscuro has a darker wrapper and a thicker outline on the band.
Burn/Draw:
I made a crisp cut for both cigars and some tobacco fell from the head. The cold draw has a good amount of resistance which stayed like this throughout the review. The burn was pleasantly straight even though there has been a good amount of wind outdoors. While the amount of smoke in the first third was average, it seem to pick up as I smoked into the 2nd and last third. The ash has a beautiful white appearance lasting almost 2 inches with solid construction.
Flavor/Aroma:
The wrapper has some subtle notes of cedar and floral while the foot reminds me of wood, cedar and chocolate. In the initial few draws, I get an abundance of wood, nuts and white pepper. The flavors continue as such into the first third where there is a buttery note coating the flavors. The flavors are simple yet enjoyable though not as smooth as can be. Through the nose, there’s some espresso, chocolate and plenty of pepper. I’d consider this cigar to be a solid medium to full already in the first third with a medium amount of complexity.
In the second third, the smoke has a chewy consistency while the aroma is very pleasing similar to cedar, chocolate, cinnamon with a peppery finish. There are some sweet notes mixing in the middle with nuts and cocoa. At certain points, I do get some rich leather but only for brief moments. This is definitely a full bodied cigar with an above average amount of complexity.
The last third continues with cocoa, cedar, and wood. I tasted subtle notes of cinnamon throughout the cigar but that was sporadic as well. The flavors feel a bit rounded and smooth and I don’t notice much in terms of bitter or harsh notes. The strength is there and the flavors are fairly balanced for being a “fresh” cigar.
Final Thoughts:
- Other than the minor tear near the foot, the Small Batch #4 Oscuro is comprised of wonderful construction that showcases a near perfect burn and a draw with the right amount of resistance. This cigar performed very well on a very breezy day with an ash to match.
- I would rate the flavor profile as an above average complexity. It’s a cigar that may have had at most 6-9 months to rest after being rolled so my expectations were met compared to the Small Batch #4 (non oscuro). There was no evidence of tar or the cigar being wet. I certainly expect a few points in improvements over the next couple of years simply from allowing the cigar to settle down and round out any possible harsh edges.
- The flavors from this cigar versus the Small Batch #4 were not very similar considering they use the same basic wrapper (Pelo de Oro). Sure, there was some possible overlap, but for the most part, this cigar can stand on it’s own.
- This past week I’ve smoked the Small Batch #2, 3, 4 and #4 Oscuro, all for review. Rating these cigars with the current age in comparison, I would say the #3 would definitely be my favorite in terms of flavors, then the #2, #4 Oscuro and finally, the #4 (non oscuro). I think Litto Gomez made a brilliant decision in using the Dominican Sumatra wrapper on the previous Small Batches. The flavors were one of a kind and fantastic. The Pelo de Oro is a very good wrapper but I feel the flavors aren’t as unique. While the oscuro process adds a few layers to the cigar, it still isn’t as complex as the dominican sumatra releases (1, 2, 3)
- This cigar is by all means a wonderful compliment to the regular production cigars already produced by La Flor Dominicana. While the regular production are solid and consistent, I always look forward to smoking some of their limited production cigars such as the Limitado III, IV or Salomone. It just seems that Litto Gomez always has a wonderful way of surprising us on the more “rare” cigars.
- At $19 a stick, I would find it hard pressed for a tremendous amount of people to buy large quantities of this cigar. While I’m aware of a few people Litto Gomez fans interested in purchasing entire crates for their collection, for the most part, I can see people buying one to try and then only on a “special” occasion. I plan to pick up a few and see how they develop over the next couple of years.
- If you’re interested in trying the Small Batch #4 Oscuro, give a call to Twins Smoke Shop at (603) 421-0242 and tell them Traveling Stogie sent you!
Rating: 91
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