Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana Salamones

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed)
May 4th 2009 at 11:01PM

All you cigar rookies, stand back! La Flor Dominicana Salamones is a big, hefty, full-bodied cigar that should be enjoyed on a full stomach in the evening while sitting in a comfortable chair with a rare bottle of port by your side. At more than $25 a stick, it's meant to be enjoyed, and the cigar delivers on even the highest of expectations.

This cigar by La Flor Dominicana is part of the recent wave of Salamones-style cigars that has come to market. This shape is quite difficult to create, especially with its large size. The perk, though, is that you get to watch an ash form that mirror's the cigar's original appearance, as a rich brown gives way to light gray.

The narrow foot results in a slight tightness of draw at first; the shape doesn't allow as much air to pass through. Over the first two or three minutes, you'll feel the Salamones open up, with greater volumes of smoke entering your mouth until you're enjoying the substantial mouthful's yielded by this delightful creation.

Nothing equates to having a cigar of this magnitude in your hand. It is enormous (roughly as big as a double corona), emits an amazing aroma and has a beautiful, oily wrapper. The ash holds easily for two inches before showing any signs of wanting to fall.

Like many cigars by La Flor Dominicana, the smoke is powerful. Yet, it isn't all strength. Instead, it leaves room for subtlety, with a mix of flavors emerging through the middle of the cigar through the finish. The Salamones effectively does the impossible by remaining smooth despite its full-bodied characteristics. You will not be subjected to harshness or acidity at any point while smoking La Flor Dominicana Salamones. The cigar remains well-balanced throughout.

When you're spending more than $20 a cigar, your expectations around construction are obvious. At a minimum, it must burn evenly and consistently. Tight draws, plugs and unraveling are wholly unacceptable. La Flor Dominicana passes this test easily, setting the standard for proper construction. The stick neither firms nor softens as the ash grows, maintaining an evenness of feel between your fingers from beginning to end. This is a rarity.

Few cigars excite me ... and the Salamones is among them. If you're new to the cigar culture, steer clear of this one – you aren't ready. Smokers who crave a full-bodied cigar that somehow still manages to have a kick, however, will feel right at home with the latest from La Flor Dominicana.

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