The Tobacconists’ Association of America meets in the early spring every year and for cigar smokers it means the release of some exclusive limited edition cigars. The cigars are limited to shops that are a member of the TAA such as Two Guys Smoke Shop in New Hampshire. Last week we review the This year La Flor Dominicana has released the La Flor Dominicana TAA 50th Segunda Edition Maduro which we reviewed last week. In addition they have also released a Sun Grown version with a Nicaraguan wrapper which serves as today’s review.
Cigar Review: La Flor Dominicana TAA 50th Segunda Edition Natural
Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic (Including Criollo ’98)
Length: 6.5
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Toro
The Look: This year the La Flor Dominicana TAA comes in a more finished box. Last year, Tony Gomez son of Litto was discussing with his father the design for the box when one of them sent a version done in MS-Paint. As a joke, they went with that design as is. This year they take that design and clean it up considerably. Inside the 50th Anniversary Segunda Edition feels like velvet under the fingers. The cigar still uses the Oro band with a secondary TAA 50th logo for the Segunda Edition. In the hand the box pressed stick is firm with no soft spots or voids of tobacco and a well packed foot.
The Notes: There is a subtle molasses on the cold draw with a hint of cayenne, while the aroma of the foot of the limited edition LFD is cayenne, paprika and a subtle molasses. Once the cigar is lit the initial note is pecans.
Moving into the first third notes of pecans remain for about the first inch and then the cigar develops notes of earth which become the dominant flavor profile. The retrohale sees some spice added to the mix with a long woody finish.
The second third sees note of cedar develop on the palate but the primary focal point of the cigar is earth. Around the halfway point the two begin to balance out, while the retrohale has some wood, vanilla and pepper which linger on the aroma. The finish is a bit drying so keep a beverage on hand for this one.
As the La Flor Dominicana Segunda Edition Natural comes to a close notes of earth are dominant once again with a subtle wood and vanilla component. The retrohale sees notes of sunflower seeds and pepper with a long drying finish.
The Finish: The differences between the two wrappers of the Segunda Edition is major. This release comes off as more traditional classic La Flor Dominicana and it will please purists of the brand. The Maduro as we alluded to in our previous was a flavor bomb of epic proportions. With that said, I am still giving this one my seal of approval, but it’s more of an earlier in the day cigar. Try them both and I think you will agree.
Score: 92
Price: $19.99 / $359.99
La Flor Dominicana 50th TAA Segunda Edition
La Flor Dominicana 50th TAA Segunda Edition Foot
La Flor Dominicana 50th TAA Segunda Edition Burn
