by Wynne Hunkler, Cigar Enthusiast

ne of the most innovative men in the cigar industry, Litto Gomez has created such novel shapes as the El Jocko, the Chisel, and partnered with Christian Eiroa of Caribe to create the Face Off, the first of a kind competition between cigar manufacturers.

Meeting Litto in person, one would never suspect he is the co-owner of one of the most successful cigar manufacturers in the Dominican Republic. My wife and I had the pleasure to spend some time with Litto at a local tobacconist event, and the only description she used was "humble". If not for his customary straw hat, Litto might have appeared to be just another eager cigar enthusiast joining the party.

Down to earth and willing to visit and sign autographs for anyone who asked (myself included), Litto represented my vision of the quintessential cigar manufacturer, passionate about his product and the smokers who enjoy it.

Litto examining Wrapper Leaf

Started in 1994 the company was named from the seed flower blooming at the top of the tobacco plant, in Spanish "Dominican Flower". With a continued willingness to learn and follow their intuition, in just over ten years, Litto and Ines have shaped La Flor Dominicana into one of the strongest brands in the cigar industry.

While Ines manages the marketing and distribution from their home in Miami, Litto spends each week at the tobacco farm in the Dominican Republic. In an interview with Cigar Cult in 2003, Litto acknowledged "If I had known how much fun I would have here, I would have switched much earlier. I am completely taken by tobacco. It didn't take long for this trade to become my passion." Obviously dedicated to his trade, Litto not only spends his weeks in the Dominican Republic caring for his crops, but also traveling the United States visiting tobacconists and sharing his enthusiasm. (continued...)