Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the La Flor Dominican TAA 2017 release. This is a cigar that was previously assessed back in December 2016 when it was released as the La Flor Dominicana TAA Celebration Limited Edition.

La Flor Dominicana TAA (2017)

La Flor Dominicana TAA (2017)

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Flor S.A.)
Box-Pressed Toro: 6 x 54

Each year since 2012, La Flor Dominicana has released an exclusive cigar to the Tobacconists Association of America (TAA). In 2016, La Flor Dominicana took a different approach. They opted to not only release a TAA cigar, but they also supported it with a series of events held at TAA retailers. At those events, a special event-only cigar known as the La Flor Dominicana TAA Celebration Limited Edition was made available. For 2017, La Flor Dominicana decided to make the Celebration cigar its release for the 2017 Exclusive Series. The cigar was dubbed the La Flor Dominicana TAA, but in reality, it is the TAA 49 release – a cigar to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the TAA.

The TAA Exclusive Series consists of cigars made by leading manufacturers that are exclusively sold at TAA member retailers. In terms of the TAA as an organization, it is a small group of retailers. At press time the number of retailers is approximately 80. As per their website, the TAA is defined as:

The Tobacconists’ Association of America, Ltd. is a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. By providing education, communication, research, advocacy, and member discount programs, The TAA works with our members and the industry they support to offer the tools and relationship building opportunities needed to maximize professionalism and success.

For 2017, the following new cigars have been released for the 2017 TAA Exclusive Series:

TAA Exclusive Series 2017

New releases for the 2017 TAA Exclusive Series

This is also the sixth release by La Flor Dominicana for the TAA. The following are the other releases:

As mentioned, La Flor Dominicana has a five-year history in the TAA Exclusive Series. These releases include the following:

The La Flor Dominicana TAA edition brings back the same blend as the Celebration release. The cigar features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a Cameroon binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic. The size is also the same -a 6 x 54 box pressed toro.

While the blend and size are the same, there are two noticeable differences between the 2017 edition of the La Flor Dominicana TAA and 2016’s event-only Celebration cigar. The 2017 edition is available in 25-count boxes as opposed to the ten count boxes for the TAA 48 Celebration. The other difference is the 2017 features red colored banding (as opposed to the black colored banding on the Celebration), and it does not reference the name “49”.

La Flor Dominicana TAA 48 Celebration Limited Edition Maduro (2016 event only release)

The La Flor Dominicana delivered a mix of chocolate, earth, classic wood, cedar and white pepper. Early on, there was a creamy texture that gave the flavor a creamy profile. The chocolate and earth notes were the primary flavors early on. The second third, the chocolate and earth alternated in intensity, with the chocolate losing some of its sweetness. The pepper notes were a close secondary note. By the second half, the earth notes took control and at times there also was a touch of maduro sweetness (a mix of dried fruit and natural tobacco). This pretty much was the flavor profile until the close of the cigar experience. As for the strength and body, both remained in the medium to full range from start to finish

In recent years, I have felt many of the cigar delivered to the TAA have been underwhelming, but La Flor Dominicana has built up an impressive track record over the past six years – and the 2017 edition is no exception. This is an excellent release that is sure to please – especially if you like maduro cigars. It’s a cigar I’d recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast, but it is also one that is good for the novice looking for something bolder in the medium plus range. As for myself, it’s a cigar I’d smoke again – and I’d pick up multiples to keep in my humidor.

Summary

Key Flavors: Chocolate, Earth, Classic Wood, Cedar, White Pepper, Maduro Sweetness
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Very Good

Rating

Assessment: Buy Multiples
Score: 91

References

Previous Assessment: La Flor Dominicana TAA 48 Celebration Limited Edition Maduro
News: La Flor Dominicana Exclusivo TAA 49
Price: $9.90
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: La Flor Dominicana

Photo Credits:  Cigar Coop