Litto Gomez Emeraude was first announced in 2023 as a TAA release and to be honest, I had totally forgotten all about it. It’s part of the re-launch of the Litto Gomez Diez line which to be has always been the best LFD had to offer back in the day.
Of course in true cigar industry fashion the cigar to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Tobacconist Association of America would be delayed by over a year. The name of the cigar is french for emerald which is the stone that celebrated the 55th anniversary.
The fact that the cigar was this late isn’t surprising to me as from a consumer standpoint ever since Cigar Afficionado named Andalusian Bull their cigar of the year in 2016 the company seemed to be plagued by back orders. It had gotten so bad that one of my local shops that proudly displayed LFD cigars moved them to a corner of the humidor. Back in December, the cigars were moved to a more visible place and I remember thinking, “Hmm, I guess LFD is still in business.” I few months later I began purchasing them once again, though less frequently because I had moved on to other brands.
Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana Litto Gomez Emeraude
Size: 6 x 54
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Fillers: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Flor S.A.
Release Date: December 2024
Production: Limited Edition
Box Size: 10
The Cigar: The elaborate red and gold band doesn’t show off the company name anywhere on the band, but there is no mistaking it is LFD. The band denotes LG front and center with Litto Gomez written beneath. The cigar has an oily and toothy wrapper that has a bit of a brindle effect to it which to be has always been synonymous with LFD. Litto once told a group of us at the famed Nat Sherman Townhouse how the company massages their wet leaves which leads to the coloring of them. In the hand the cigar feels heavier toward the cap then the foot which has me a bit concerned for draw issues.
The Taste: The cold draw of the cigar has some subtle shortbread notes to it with a hint of molasses which is matched on the foot of the cigar. It’s not as vibrant as I remember it to be on the original LG Diez line, but it is there nonetheless. Once the cigar is toasted and lit there are notes of raisin, cedar and a subtle brown sugar right off the first list.
Settling into the first third notes of raisins and molasses are sprinkled over a base of wood notes. As we get halfway through the first third some brown sugar develops that becomes dominant as we get ready to move to the second third. The retrohale of the Litto Gomez Emeraude has some floral components, with summer fruits and pepper.
As mentioned before brown sugar notes are dominant in the second third with wood sliding into the background when it returns full force as the primary flavor. It’s joined by raisins, sourdough bread and a touch of sea-salt. I’ve had a hard time keeping the cigar lit in the second third with two re-lights needed to get it going again befoee it remains lit the rest of the way. As the second third comes to a close notes of pecans begin to emerige while the retrohale is loaded with pepper and a touch of peach sweetness.
The final third is spicy like many LFD cigars are. There is continued wood notes but the white and black pepper dominant the palate. Any sweetness of the first two thirds has left the building. Some wood notes remain and the cigar has an incredibly long finish that I can still taste 20 minutes after I have finished as I put the finishing touches on this review. The retrohale served up notes of spice and pepper with nuances of leather that added to the finish.
Conclusion: Back in the day, Litto Gomez Diez was one of my favorite cigars, so I was excited to smoke this. It was a bit foolish of me thinking after a ten year hiatus it would be the same to me. The cigar while enjoyable was a shell of what it once was. A cigar that was loaded with molasses sweetness that rivaled an aged Opus X cigar. Today’s Litto Gomez Emeraude is a spicy, woodsy flavor bomb but not what I remember the line to be. Perhaps the change is due to my palate for perhaps the blend is altered in some form or fashion. Despite it not being what I remembered I still recommend the TAA Exclusive for those who have been fans of LFD.
Score: 89
Price: $26.00 (Before local or state taxes)
