The La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico is a cigar that stands out in both form and flavor. Known for its unique and intricate shape, the Salomon Unico is a special release that blends bold strength with an array of complex flavors. Designed for serious aficionados, it reflects La Flor Dominicana’s commitment to innovation and high-quality craftsmanship.
The Blend
The Salomon Unico is crafted using select tobaccos to create a full-bodied and flavorful experience:
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Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper adds a touch of spice, earthiness, and natural sweetness to the profile. Its oily texture contributes to the cigar’s smooth smoking experience. -
Binder: Dominican
The Dominican binder holds the blend together and imparts creamy, nutty notes that balance the cigar’s strength. -
Filler: Dominican Ligero
A combination of Ligero tobaccos from LFD’s La Canela farm provides the intensity and depth of flavor, ensuring a rich, full-bodied smoke throughout.
Flavor Profile
The Salomon Unico offers a dynamic and evolving flavor profile, with the distinct shape contributing to the complexity of the smoking experience.
First Third:
The cigar starts with bold black pepper, cedar, and earthy flavors. Subtle hints of cocoa and toasted almonds add depth and complexity, while a slight spiciness from the Habano wrapper keeps things lively.
Second Third:
The middle section develops deeper flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and wood, with the spice evolving into a more peppery kick. The natural sweetness of the wrapper helps balance the strength, creating a smooth yet bold smoke.
Final Third:
The Salomon Unico intensifies in the final third, with charred oak, leather, and a touch of smoked meats rounding out the profile. The peppery finish lingers, giving way to a lingering, rich aftertaste of cocoa and earth.
The Salomon Shape
The Salomon shape is one of the most distinctive formats in the cigar world. The Unico version features a tapered foot and bulbous, almost asymmetrical body, which affects the draw and burn of the cigar:
- Tapered Foot: The foot of the Salomon is uniquely shaped, which allows for a gradual build-up of flavors as the cigar burns down. This transition enhances the smoking experience, with the initial puffs often more concentrated.
- Even Burn: The unique construction ensures a consistent burn despite the complex shape, allowing for a balanced and enjoyable smoke throughout.
- Flavor Evolution: The Salomon’s shape impacts the rate at which the tobacco is smoked, which allows for nuanced changes in flavor intensity as you work your way through the cigar.
Key Features of the Salomon Unico
- Full-Bodied Profile: The Salomon Unico delivers an intense and full-bodied experience, with rich and bold flavors that evolve throughout the smoking session.
- Impeccable Construction: The quality of construction in the Salomon Unico is a hallmark of La Flor Dominicana, ensuring a smooth, even draw and consistent burn.
- Unique Shape: The Salomon format is not only visually striking but plays a crucial role in delivering an engaging and dynamic smoking experience.
Smoking Experience
The Salomon Unico offers a long, luxurious smoking session that can last 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size. Its complex flavor transitions make it a great choice for special occasions or an extended, reflective smoking experience. It is definitely a cigar for those who enjoy taking their time and savoring every detail of the smoke.
Pairing Suggestions
The bold profile of the Salomon Unico pairs wonderfully with a variety of drinks:
- Aged Rum: The natural sweetness and spice of an aged rum complement the cigar’s peppery and cocoa notes.
- Bourbon: A robust bourbon, especially one with a higher rye content, pairs well with the cigar’s spicy, woody flavors.
- Single Malt Scotch: A smoky, peaty Scotch brings out the earthy and leathery notes in the Salomon Unico.
- Coffee: A strong, dark coffee or espresso enhances the chocolate and espresso notes, creating a rich and satisfying pairing.
Who Should Smoke the Salomon Unico?
The La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico is ideal for:
- Aficionados who enjoy full-bodied cigars with bold, complex flavors.
- Those who appreciate unique, innovative cigar shapes and want to experience the distinct flavors they bring.
- Smokers looking for a celebratory or special occasion cigar that provides a long, rewarding smoking experience.
Final Thoughts
The La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico is a remarkable cigar that showcases the brand’s commitment to quality, creativity, and bold flavor profiles. With its full-bodied strength, unique shape, and evolving flavor profile, the Salomon Unico offers an unforgettable smoking experience.
Whether you're a seasoned cigar smoker or new to the world of La Flor Dominicana, the Salomon Unico is a must-try for those seeking a truly exceptional cigar.
Have you had the pleasure of smoking the Salomon Unico? Share your thoughts and pairing ideas in the comments below!