Vitola: Toro- 5.5” x 52 ring gauge
- Price $9.49
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
Every year several companies produce cigars specifically for the Tobacconist Association of America…the TAA. The Exclusive series has become highly sought after, especially since the cigars are only available at the 80 or so TAA retailers nationwide. Last year and this year, La Flor Dominicana has taken part in the annual release of exclusive cigars. Last year’s 707 was one that I skipped simply because I am just declaring a personal ban on 70 ring gauge cigars. I’ve smoked a couple and neither had the flavor concentration of their smaller ring gauge counterparts…and they lasted so long I just got bored and tired of smoking them. Maybe the 707 is the best 7 x 70 cigar ever made…and if so, I guess I’ll be missing out.
This year, more sane heads prevailed and La Flor Dominicana gave the TAA members a choice of 3 vitolas while they were in the Dominican Republic for the convention. When the votes were counted, it turned out the smallest ring gauge had prevailed…and there was much rejoicing. (Hooray!) It was named the TAA 47 in recognition that this year’s convention was the 47th annual one.
The LFD TAA 47 uses Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, a Nicaraguan binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper leaf. It is made in the Dominican Republic. I had one of these pre-pre-release…basically one of the 3 stick samplers that LFD sent to shops before the convention…and I enjoyed it. When the final sticks came in, I bought two, the first of which I smoked right away. So this is my third experience with this blend.
Prelight
La Flor Dominicana has done a good job at keeping branding consistent over the last few years, while also giving different cigars unique twists in the banding to easily differentiate them. In this instance, the primary band has all the gold foil elements that the normal LFD bands do…”LFD” and the wreath of leaves around the edges…but it is all on a jet black background. The secondary band has the same color scheme, adding the TAA “Indian” logo the the words “47th” and “TAA” flanking that logo. The wrapper leaf was a dark chocolate brown shade with a moderate amount of oiliness and an aroma of wood and earth. The foot had more of that rich cedar and barnyard aroma that I tend to associate with previous LFD smokes. Must be something in their Dominican leaf that carries those aromas.
The cold draw was very good and carried flavors of cedar, straw and dried fruit.
Flavor
The TAA 47 lit up easily with a single flame torch and was soon burning evenly. I tasted a strong cedar flavor up front in the mix, but with notes of raising and anise not far behind, while lower down there was a earthy base to the profile, along with a decent amount of red pepper. The retrohale had lots of pepper and cedar. As is the case with the most popular LFD sticks, the body was medium-to-full right at the start and it felt like there was potential for it to ramp up as I went along.
Heading into the second third, I picked up on some citrus zing which went along well with the continued red pepper spice and sweeter aspects of the cigar. The body was at the lower end of the full range and it was turning out to be a fairly strong cigar in terms of nicotine, as well.
The body never moved past the low end of full, but the LFD TAA 47 was definitely on the strong side. In the last third, the earthier qualities came to the fore with the citrus twang and cedar holding steady and the pepper burn diminishing quite a bit.
Construction
As is typical with La Flor Dominicana, construction was just about perfect.
Value
This very good smoking experience with a limited run and distribution was delivered at less than $10 per stick, so I say “Good Value.”
Conclusions
The TAA 47 was a classic La Flor Dominicana blend with plenty of body and strength, along with a flavor profile that was reminiscent of other LFDs like the Colorado Oscuro and Double Ligero, but with more earth. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any LFD fans or those who like a stronger smoke. Get them soon, though; as with any TAA exclusives, these won’t last forever.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
This might be a little strong for me but the profile sounds incredible. The comments on smaller RG’s are well received!
I’d love to try this one! Flavor profile sounds really good to me.
To strong for me, hard to find, a little pricey.
If I wasn’t terrified I’d LFD’S strength is try one!
LFD’s haven’t made a bad stick yet in my opinion. But these wont be on my radar
nice review, sounds good but limited and full bodied, gonna have to pass!!
LFD makes awesome cigars, Keith has turned me on to them. I would definitely give this a shot if I saw it in the shop. Nice review.
When I tried this before, maybe because of what I ate? I found it was somehow, oily…
LFD is good at what they do. I don’t find myself reaching for them as often as some other brands but they’re just as good.