The Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 6 is the latest installment of La Flor Dominicana’s Small Batch series. This release technically is the seventh release of this line (there was a Small Batch No. 4 and a Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro). The Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch series was first introduced by La Flor Dominicana back in 2006. This was a limited release Dominican puro that used the concept of taking the best tobaccos from company owner Litto Gomez’s La Canela farm from a single crop year. Recently I’ve had an opportunity to smoke the Small Batch No. 6. There have been some epic smokes in the Small Batch series, and with the Small Batch No. 6, this not only takes its place as one of the best in the series, but overall one poised to be one of La Flor Dominicana’s all-time elite releases.

When we reviewed the Small Batch No. 4, we compared how taking tobacco from a single crop year is similar to what is done in the wine industry:

The idea of blending from a single farm’s crop from a single year is something that is commonly done in the wine industry.  It also is something that has had precedence in the cigar industry – namely harvesting the tobaccos from a single farm from a single year to produce a cigar blend.  There are other cigar companies that have done this – most notably Tatuaje with the La Verite series and Torano’s Single Region cigar.  La Flor Dominicana actually was one of the first companies to do this as they originated the concept in 1999 and released the first LG Diez Small Batch in 2006.

Without further ado, let’s break down the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 6 and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile and Vitolas Available

The Small Batch No. 6 incorporates a Dominican Pelo de Oro wrapper. This wrapper was introduced to the series with the Small Batch No. 4. All tobaccos are from a 2009 vintage and originate from the La Canela farm in the Dominican Republic.

The Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 6 is available in one size – a 6 3/4 x 52. As in the past, the Small Batch No. 6 is packaged in 105 count crates.

Wrapper: Dominican Pelo de Oro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor)
Vitola: 6 3/4 x 52

For historical purposes, here are the other releases of the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch series:

Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 1
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor)
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2006

Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 2
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor)
Vitola: 6 1/2 x 54
Release Year: 2007

Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 3
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor)
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2010

Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4
Wrapper: Dominican Pelo de Oro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor)
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2011

Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro
Wrapper: Dominican Pelo de Oro Oscuro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor)
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2012

Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 5
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor)
Vitola: 6 3/4 x 52
Release Year: 2013

Appearance

The Dominican Pelo de Oro wrapper of the Small Batch No. 6 has a dark cinnamon color to it. Upon closer examination, some darker marbling can be seen on the surface. There is a light coat of oil on the wrapper. There are some visible veins on the surface as well as some thin visible wrapper seams.

The band of the Small Batch No. 6 is similar to what is seen on the Litto Gomez Diez LG 2015. The band features a red background that has a gradient effect from the center where it gets darker on the edges. The center of the band has a large scripted gold colored “LG” surrounded by gold adornments. Below the text on is a small dark colored “10” on one of the adornments. The lower part of the band features the text “Litto Gomez” in a gold cursive-like font. There are gold adornments (with a little red mixed in) across the top and bottom of the band.

For the first time a Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch installment features a secondary band. This had a similar design to the LG 2015. This is also red with a gradient effect from the center where it gets darker toward the edge. There is a gold “SB VI” at the center of the band with two small bright red adornments on each side.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

Prior to lighting the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 6, I went with my usual choice of a straight cut to remove the cap. Once the cap was clipped, I moved on to the pre-light draw. The dry draw featured notes of cedar, black pepper, and some natural tobacco notes. Overall I considered the pre-light of the Small Batch No. 6 to be satisfactory. At this point I was ready to light up this cigar and see what what the smoking phase would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 6 started out with notes of cherry, cedar, and black pepper. The cherry notes moved to the forefront early on. Notes of oak and nut soon joined the cherry notes in the forefront. Meanwhile, the black pepper and cedar moved into the background. The pepper had a slight lingering effect on the tongue and was prominent on the retro-hale.

The flavor profile remained consistent throughout the first third with a couple of small changes. Toward the middle of the first third, a cream note surfaced in the background which kept the flavor profile smooth. By the end of the first third, the pepper notes slowly started to increase, but were still a background note.

At the midway point of the Small Batch No. 6, the cherry, oak, and nut combination remained in the forefront. In the background the cream, pepper and cedar was joined by a bread component. These bread notes slowly increased in intensity. Meanwhile the pepper notes also continued to increase in intensity.

By the last third, the bread notes joined the cherry and oak notes in the forefront. The pepper notes now were quite close to the forefront. Meanwhile the nut flavors diminished into the background and the cream notes dissipated. The final stages of the smoke saw the pepper finally kick in and became front and center. This is the way the Small Batch No. 6 came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

The Small Batch No. 6 is a well-constructed cigar and this is reflected nicely on the burn and draw. The burn path remained straight from start to finish. There was a slight curvature on the burn line from time to time, but this was remedied with some touch-ups. The number of touch-ups required did not prove to be excessive. The Small Batch No. 6 produced a salt and pepper colored ash. The resulting ash wasn’t overly tight, but it wasn’t overly loose either. As for the combustion, the Small Batch No. 6 had an ideal burn rate and ideal burn temperature.

The draw performed quite well. There was a touch of resistance on the draw – which I do consider a positive. This was a low maintenance cigar to derive flavors from.

Strength and Body

The Small Batch No. 6 did an excellent job at balancing strength and body. Both attributes pretty much were in lock-sync from start to finish. I found the early stages of the Small Batch No. 6 to be medium in strength and body. Toward the middle of the first third, both the strength and body progressed to medium to full.  The strength and body continued to increase and by the last third, this cigar was a full strength, full-bodied smoke.

Final Thoughts

Since its inception, the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch series has been a favorite among cigar enthusiasts. I’ve always liked the fact that this has been a series that pretty much has been a biennual (every other year) release.With the Small Batch No. 6, La Flor Dominicana knocks it out of the park. This cigar has all of the ingredients to be one of the all-time great releases by La Flor Dominciana. It has great flavor, nice complexity, and excellent construction.  Because this grows into a stronger, bolder cigar at the end, I’d probably steer this to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar I’d not only smoke again, but it’s one I would fight Chuck Norris for.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: High
Strength: Medium (Start), Medium to Full (Mid 1/3), Full (Last Third)
Body: Medium (Start), Medium to Full (Mid 1/3), Full (Last Third)
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 4.5-Fight Chuck Norris for Them
Score: 94

References

News: La Flor Dominicana’s Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 6 Released
Price: $21.00
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 169
Stogie Feed: La Flor Dominicana Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 6