The banding consists of the classic LFD gold script logo, but with an all-black background. It also has the standard LFD gold adornment for trim. There is a gold medallion and leaf on the left and right side of the band.  Just below the LFD logo is the text “CHAPTER ONE” in white font surrounded by black and gold adornments.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

For my experience with the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One, I made a thin straight cut into the chisel cap.  I have heard of some folks pinching the chisel cap, but I decided to be consistent since I use the straight cut for most cigar smoking experiences I assess.  The dry draw notes did not yield too much in the way of spice, but did yield flavors of leather and coffee.  Overall I considered the pre-light draw experience of the Chapter One to be positive.  At this point, I was ready to light the footer of my cigar and see what the smoking experience would have in-store.

Flavor Profile

The start to the Chapter One provided primary notes of leather and mocha.  In the background there were some notes of grass and red pepper.  The pepper notes slowly increased in the first ten percent of the smoking experience, while the leather notes diminished.  Around the ten percent mark the mocha and pepper were the primary notes.  There were also notes of grass and nut in the background.  Meanwhile the retro-hale was producing an interesting herbal spice.

As the second third began, I noticed the mocha notes diminish.  The pepper notes remained in the forefront.  There was also an interesting herbal component that was very much present in the flavor profile.  Meanwhile the nut, grass, and mocha notes were in the background countering the pepper and herbs nicely.

As Chapter One entered the final third, the pepper notes increased.  The cigar took on more of a classic red pepper spice.  The nut notes were a close secondary note.   The end of the Chapter One was spicy, but not harsh.  The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

The burn to the La Flor Dominican Chapter One was good, but not perfect.  It did require touch-ups to keep the burn line straight.  While the touch-ups did the trick, I did find the Chapter One needed more touch-ups than I would have preferred.  The resulting ash started out white, but got more salt and pepper colored as the smoking experience progressed.  There was no major flaking, but there were a few points where the ash did flower.  The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

Burn of the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One

From a draw standpoint, I felt the box-press chisel shape performed extremely well.  I always lean toward a parejo or traditional box-press for having the best draws, but the chisel of the Chapter One scored very well – making it an enjoyable smoke from start to finish.

Strength and Body

The original press release stated  “this is the fullest bodied Chisel to date!”.  Given that I was expecting a very bold flavored cigar.  Sometimes when I real stuff like they I also get a preconceived notion that it will also have very powerful strength as well.  In terms of strength and body, this isn’t what I got with the Chapter One, however I wouldn’t say this had a negative on the cigar experience in my book.

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One starts out medium strength.  It does increase gradually in the first half and by the midway point, it does make it into the medium to full strength range. There is an increase in strength in the second half, but it never makes it to full strength. The body to the Chapter One actually starts out on the mellow side – medium-bodied. It does quickly progress to medium to full-bodied.  It does gradually increase in body, but it doesn’t make it to full-bodied until the end. Throughout the smoking experience, the balance between strength and body was close, but I gave an overall edge to body.

To me, I’d still look at the Oro Natural and Double Ligero chisel as having an edge with body.

Final Thoughts

This was a very enjoyable smoke by La Flor Dominicana.  If you have read many of my assessments, you know I always prefer a straight parejo or traditional box-press over any sort of figuardo. While I’ve always had positive experiences with the chisel format, it hasn’t particularly been my vitola of choice. However the Chapter One’s chisel format works well with this blend. There is something about getting the flavors out of the compressed web-shaped cap area that seems to click.  The flavors are excellent – and there is a decent amount of complexity with this cigar.  I’d easily recommend this to an experienced cigar enthusiast – especially a La Flor Dominicana fan. I still think while its not the most powerful cigar in the LFD portfolio, it wouldn’t be a choice I’d recommend to a novice. As for myself, this is a nice cigar to keep around in the humidor – and one I’d smoke again.

Summary