With the 2019 TAA coming to a close today, March 21, 2019 we figured we would take a look back at the 2018 of the TAA Exclusive from La Flor Dominicana. Earlier this week it was announced that the company would release the TAA 50th Segundo Edition later this year in both a natural and Maduro format.
Cigar Review: LFD TAA 50th Golden “Oro” Anniversary
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic (Including Criollo ’99 La Canela Grown)
Length: 6.5″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Box Pressed Torpedo
The Look: We addressed the box issue in the prelude to the cigar review so that leaves the cigar. The 6 x 52 box pressed torpedo is gorgeous, with the sun grown Habano wrapper loaded with oils. The primary band on the cigar is the LFD Oro, but a second band seated a gold on gold embossing showcasing the 50th Anniversary of the TAA. The foot of the cigar reveals nice dark swirl of tobacco in the center and the cigar is box pressed to perfection.
The Notes: The cold draw reveals a wonderfully sweet molasses, and a touch of raisins. The aroma off the foot of the cigar matches that of the cold draw with much more intensity. Once we light up the cigar the first notes are something different for me when it comes to LFD, and that is some floral notes.
As we move into the first third of the cigar the floral components pull back with notes of sunflower seeds beginning to emerge. That particular note has long been one of my favorite notes in a cigar, dating back to the original release of the Puro Vintage 2003 from La Aurora before they changed for catalog companies which is often the case. Anyway, back to the cigar in hand. The sunflower seeds are joined by a subtle espresso, cedar and earthy notes. The retrohale has some pepper to it, but there is also a subtle saltiness to it.
The second third continues with notes of sunflower seed with growing espresso notes and a raisin like sweetness. There is a touch of cedar and wheat that appear in the background with some cinnamon notes that add an extra dimension to the cigar. The retrohale continues to serve up some salt & pepper notes.
The last third sees the sunflower notes fade away as raisin and molasses become the focal point with espresso and earth on the finish. The salt and pepper remain on the retohale as it is joined by touches of cinnamon.
The Finish: The La Flor Dominicana TAA 50th Golden “Oro” Anniversary might be the best TAA Cigar ever created. It is incredibly smooth, wonderfully complex. This artistic work has an Opus like feel to it. I smoked until there was almost no tobacco left, and despite the price tag I want to light up another. It’s by far the best cigar ever produced by Litto Gomez.
Score: 94
Price: $24.19 / $431.99
La Flor Dominicana TAA 50th Golden “Oro” Anniversary
La Flor Dominicana TAA 50th Golden “Oro” Anniversary Foot
La Flor Dominicana TAA 50th Golden “Oro” Anniversary Burn
