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| Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro |
The Litto Gomez Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro is unique because it marks the first time that an oscuro wrapper has been included in the series. 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 Litto Gomez’s La Canela farm from a single crop year. For this release of the Small Batch, the same blend for the Small Batch No. 4 (the 2011 release) was used – including the same Pelo de Oro wrapper. The difference is that Pele de Oro wrapper has been put through an oscuro process. Overall, I found the addition of the oscuro wrapper to do nice things for the Small Batch No. 4 blend – providing it a whole new profile.
The release of the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro marks the first time one of the releases in the Small Batch series have been released with two wrapper options. The Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro will be a one time release, and will be released in limited quantities (less than half of what was produced for Small Batch No. 4). This will probably result in an allocation of one to two boxes (of 105) of the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro to authorized La Flor Dominicana retailers.
Let’s break down the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4 and see what this cigar delivers. As a disclaimer, I will say this smoke was based on a single cigar experience.
Blend Profile and Vitolas Available
Normally these are separate components to the assessments done on this web-site, but in this case they will be combined as it will be easier to contrast the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuo with the other releases. As with all of the LG Diez Small Batch releases, they are shipped in cabinets of 105 cigars.
Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro
Wrapper: Dominican Pelo de Oro Oscuro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2011
Production: Approximately 10,500 cigars (100 boxes)
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
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2006
Production: Approximately 20,000 cigars.
Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 2
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 6.5 x 54
Release Year: 2007
Production: Approximately 30,000 cigars.
Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 3
Wrapper: Dominican Sumatra
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2010
Production: Approximately 30,000 cigars
Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4
Wrapper: Dominican Pelo de Oro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 7 x 52
Release Year: 2011
Production: Approximately 26,250 cigars (250 boxes)
Appearance
The wrapper to the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro has some similarities to the original Small Batch No. 4 wrapper. It still has the rosado coloring to it, but overall I’d say the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro has a darker wrapper – and integrates some coffee bean color into it. The Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro has a bumpy and rustic look to it. There are several wrapper seams and veins that are visible. There also is a slight amount of oil on the wrapper.
For my smoke of the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro, I went with my usual straight cut into the cap. It was now on to start the pre-light draw experience. Overall, I found the dry draw notes to be outstanding on the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro. The flavors on the pre-light provided me with notes of coffee, leather, cinnamon, and black pepper. Given this was an great pre-light draw experience, I was anxious to fire up my Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro and await what the smoking experience would bring to the table.
Flavor Profile
The start to the Litto Gomez Diez Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro started out with a combination of coffee and black pepper. In the background, I could definitely detect some cream notes. The coffee and pepper formed a good combination in the forefront as each battled to be the dominant note.
As the smoking experience moved to the end of the first third, the pepper seemed to take a slight edge over the coffee notes. At times the coffee notes had a rich flavor, and at other times it had more of a leathery tone. When the smoke moved into the second half, a nice sweetness emerged. The sweetness was what I considered to be a “natural oscuro sweetness” – although it had some cherry overtones to it.
For the most part the flavor profile of coffee, leather, natural oscuro sweetness, and pepper stayed with the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro until the end. While the close to the cigar was not harsh, the resulting nub was on the warm side and was softer to the touch.
Burn and Draw
From a burn standpoint, the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro had a straight burn for the majority of the smoking experience – requiring minimal touch-ups. The burn rate was ideal for this smoking experience. The burn temperature was one issue I had with this cigar. For the first half, there was no issue, but in the second half the burn definitely went on the warmer side. Overall, it was more of a nuisance as I didn’t feel it made the flavors harsh.
As for the draw, the very beginning was a little tight, but then it opened up. I felt the draw was ideal for the majority of the smoking experience. I did ease up on the draw in the second half as the burn temperature went up.
Strength and Body
This is a classic La Flor Dominicana cigar when it comes to strength and body. This cigar is going to have some pop throughout the smoking experience. I assessed it to be full strength. The flavors are robust and have some nice depth to them. This qualifies the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro to be a full-bodied smoke. The strength and body balance each other really nice – providing a cigar with a healthy amount of kick and a nice dose of flavor.
Final Thoughts
The oscuro wrapper puts a whole new spin on the Small Batch No. 4 blend. Overall, I thought the flavors to the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro were outstanding. La Flor Dominicana historically does a great job at making a balanced full strength, full-bodied cigar and the Small Batch No. 4 Oscuro is no exception. The issue with the burn temperature was really the only issue I had with this cigar. While it didn’t impact the flavor, I’m wondering if the flavors would have even been better if the cigar burned cooler. As I said up-front, this was based on a single smoking experience, and this is a hand-made product, so sometimes things don’t go as planned. This is a cigar I’d recommend to a seasoned cigar enthusiast who likes a full strength, full-bodied smoke. Fans of La Flor Dominicana and the Small Batch Series will enjoy this cigar. As for myself, I would certainly smoke this again.
Summary
Burn: Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Full
Body: Full
Finish: Fair
Assessment: Nice to Have
Score: 89
Source: The cigar for this assessment was purchased at Burns Tobacconist in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
