Today we are going to do our La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull review. Named after the southernmost region of Spain’s rich history with bullfighting, it is matador status with its unique shape and bold yet refined blend. The creator of Cigar Aficionado’s number one cigar of 2016 does have a name – Litto Gomez, founder and master blender of La Flor Dominicana.
In honor of Spain, his home country, he fashioned this mesmerizing figurado by copying an old cigar mold he found in Belgium. The attention to detail is astounding. Dressed in a dark mahogany and slightly oily Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, the Andalusian Bull sports a beautiful reddish-clay tinge.
Would it be able to meet the company’s reputation for making strong cigars with an all-Dominican recipe consisting of Criolla ’98 tobacco and Pelo d’Oro?
BRAND OVERVIEW
La Flor Dominicana (the Dominican flower) has become synonymous with full-bodied, full-flavored Dominican smokes. Founded by Gomez and his wife Ines in 1996, the Andalusian Bull is different from La Flor Dominicana’s core lines. It is produced in limited (but ongoing) production batches so it comes out much less frequently than many other cigars.
So we already know about the wrapper, binder and filler but take a moment to appreciate that emerald green backdrop on the gold band – very similar to the Andalusian flag! But there’s more!
Spanish artist Pablo Picasso loved painting bulls while the ‘Andalusian Bull’ font style is based off his almost illegible handwriting. The scrollwork resembles what you’d find on a bullfighter’s outfit so not only does this well-tuned stick look good but it sure tastes good too!
CIGAR SPECS
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium – Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Sizes Available: La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull (6.5 x 64)
COLD DRAW
Smooth to the touch, the wrapper smells of sharp wood and leather while the foot gives off similar notes except with some rich cedar. The pre-light draw is a pleasant mix of cedar, leather and cocoa.
FIRST THIRD
The fatter foot means more patience is required than usual to get the Andalusian Bull going. But once lit, it burns and draws like a dream. Black pepper and leather lead off right away then cedar gets into the mix after a few puffs.
While the finish is nice and creamy, I find cedar’s transition most astounding – taking on a natural smokiness almost like bacon tang from hickory.
In addition, chocolate and earth creep into the first third’s end. It’s already proving to be a very complex cigar with its sweet vs spicy interplay – best of both worlds!
SECOND THIRD
During this middle period, flavors intensify beautifully as ash remains thick but certainly less compacted than in first third where hold your hand up vertical for 10 seconds before ash drops off!
There’s earthy spiciness here too; think hearty blend of cumin + saffron meets with lingering notes leathery hickory undertones still rocking out somewhere underneath black peppery caramel note has actually crept above earlier chocolate note giving me some creamy respite
A few sweet oranges taunted my sense of smell when I entered the final third of the cigar.
FINAL THIRD
The lack of black pepper in the second third didn’t really bother me, but it came back with a vengeance on both the palate and tongue. The saffron and cumin spice had dialed down its strength a bit, balancing out the pepper with some creaminess, earthiness, and tangy smokiness.
The power in this section was firmly at full. Coffee is a nice finish to this already complex Dominican blend that will keep you smoking for well over an hour.
CONCLUSION
The Andalusian Bull was a collaborative effort between Gomez and his son Tony; they spent quite some time perfecting the blend. It shows through as a slow burner that amps up in strength and complexity from the get-go.
Some cigars fall short of their hype, but not so with the La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull – it lives up to every word of praise and deserves a prime spot in your humidor. A high-rye bourbon would be an excellent pairing here; so if you come across one or have a chance to grab a 10-count box don’t hesitate because these bulls won’t be running wild forever!