This review reinforces something we’ve been saying for quite awhile: take advantage of events at you local cigar shops. I probably wouldn’t have tried this gem of a cigar were it not for a La Flor Dominicana shindig at Cigar Connection in Arlington, Virginia.

There, I picked up a specially-priced sampler of a dozen LFD cigars and met Mark Phelgar, an informative abd friendly representative for the company. Included was this 6 and 1/4 inch by 52 ring gauge box-pressed Grand Maduro No. 5 from La Flor’s Premium line—the first line they ever produced. Of all of LFD’s regular production lines, the Premium Line is the one I was least familiar with.

In fact, the two cigars I smoked for this review are the first Premium Line maduros I’ve had, and they’ve done nothing to deter me from smoking more in the future.

The toro-sized No. 5 features a dark, attractive, almost jet black  wrapper that glimmers with an oily sheen. It’s firm to the touch and smooth, except for a few large veins.

Once lit, I’m greeted with a medium- to full-bodied smoke with lots of licorice flavors.  Underneath is a balanced medley that includes hints of sweet grass, toffee, coffee, fig, leather, and black pepper.

Even though the flavors remained relatively constant throughout the hour-long smoke, the complexity is very impressive for a maduro. In my experience, many maduros have a tendency to trade complexity for forward flavors, but no such sacrifice was made here.

The construction was also quite good, with an easy draw, even burn, and a fairly steady ash. The Grand Maduro No. 5 sells for around $8 per stick, so it isn’t a budget smoke. Still, for all it has to offer, that’s a very reasonable price when you consider how many lesser cigars sell for more.

For that combination of complexity, excellent construction, and a fair price, the La Flor Doninicana Grand Maduro No. 5 earns a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

-Patrick S

photo credit: La Flor Dominicana