Founded in 2013, Dominican Big Leaguer (DBL) Cigars, owned by Francisco Almonte, has grown through the years. During those years, the company has been able to produce some of the finest cigars on the market and now they own tobacco farms, a newly renovated cigar factory, and a cigar box factory all in the Dominican Republic. Talkin with Francisco he will credit some amazing mentors like his Father, along with two of the cigar greats he studied under, the late Carlos Fuente, Sr. and Litto Gomez, for his success.
In 2018, DBL Cigars created a special 35th Anniversary cigar that paid tribute to Francisco’s 35 years in the tobacco industry, a moment worthy of celebrating.
The DBL 35th Anniversary is expressed in a (6 1/4 x 56) box pressed vitola and carries an MSRP less than $10.00. They come packaged in a beautiful 30-count black lacquered cedar box.
The blend of this special cigar is described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cameroon sun grown
- Binder: Dominican
- Filler: Dominican, including Piloto Cubano
For this review; I Sampled one DBL 35th Anniversary cigar that was gifted to me by my good friend Felix Paredes, who owns a terrific shop and lounge – the Harlem Cigar Room , in NYC. Next time you are in the NYC area, go check them out.
Pre-Light Examination
The DBL 35th Anniversary represents some of the finest craft the young factory produces. The presentation starts with an oily and dark tan wrapper that has a beautiful marbling running throughout. The box pressing reveals the crisp edges along the barrel plus the silky smooth feel across the wrapper. The cigar is solidly packed and has just the right give when gently squeezed. An expertly applied cap finishes the presentation.
The cigar is elegantly adorned with three bands. The primary band proudly displays the DBL Cigars logo on a cream and gold background. A secondary band is placed just below and declares this as the “35th Anniversary” and “Master Blender”. Finally the foot is wrapped with a golden yellow band to complete the look.
Running the barrel along the nose, I detected a DBL “signature” aroma of sweet cinnamon and raisin while the foot exuded an untoasted raisin bread note.
Using my double blade cutter, I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder and drew in a lightly spiced sensation that was spot on with restriction.
My double flame torch was just right to warm the foot as I drew in the first palate pleasing cinnamon notes. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Early cinnamon spice greets the palate off the initial light
- Touch of cocoa quickly joins the profile
- Thick creamy smoke
- Solid light grey ash on top of a medium char line
- Nice oiling is developing along the burn
- Syrupy aroma starts to fill the air increasing my interest in the cigar
- Ash drops after a good third of the cigar, revealing a perfect burn cone
- Increased chocolate notes
- A slight off burn evolves that required a mild touchup
- Sweetness and spice midway entice the palate midway
- Dry fruit notes join the mix deep in the second third
- Spice continues to increase down to the final
- Medium strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Overall, the Dominican Big Leaguer (DBL) Cigars 35th Anniversary offered the palate the unique flavors that distinctively DBL. Cinnamon Spice and Raisin dominate the initial profile then giving way to creamy chocolate before ratcheting up the spice down to the final. It did develop an off burn once the ash fell that ended up requiring a mild touch up. This is on that is worth grabbing a fiver of and enjoy a DBL journey. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Minor Touchup; (-1) Wavy Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Nice Oiling through the burn
