Davidoff

Blind Review: Davidoff Signature No.1 Limited Edition

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When Davidoff announced they were rereleasing the discontinued Davidoff Signature number one I was anxiously awaiting to try it. The lancero format is one of my favorite sizes as I feel you get a nice taste of the wrapper and with the concentrated tobaccos in the filler you can really pickup nuanced flavors. That’s not to say all lanceros are the best as it still needs the skill of a blender to be able to use the right components to have this vitola shine through. Regardless whenever I see a lancero I am eager to try them and with this blind tasting I couldn’t wait to light up

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Davidoff Signature No.1 Limited Edition
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut 
  • Binder: Ecuadorian
  • Filler: Dominican 
  • Size: 7” ½ x 39 (Lancero)

Appearance and Construction

The lancero is a claro wrapper that’s a bit pale and veiny. As I squeeze the cigar it is noticeably soft in several places. The pigtail stands out with a coil truly that of a pig. The foot brings cedar, barely wine and pepper that tingles my sinus. The roll on this cigar flows nicely in hand and is a good looking light cigar. 

Tasting and Smoke Characteristics

The cut slices the pigtail cap easily and the draw is perfect. With a puff there is leather, hay and some salinity to it. With my single flame Xikar I light up and the first flavors are sweet sandalwood, caramel and toast. The body of the cigar is more intense than I assumed from the wrapper and is in the medium to full range. A retrohale has oak and walnut with wheat flowing through. A flaky dark grayish ash begins to form with subtle smoke emanating at this point. There’s a floral note which brings about a tart fruitiness that finishes long. The burn is a bit fast.

In the second half I take a slow draw as to not to have the cigar move too quickly and miss some of its flavors. There are some more floral tastes which surprisingly bring in white pepper for an added change in the profile. The cigar continues to deliver a heartier strength than I had perceived and the ash is really beginning to flake off. The retrohale has walnut and a creamy finish that lingers which reminds me of an aged “Cubanesque” profile. The white pepper that was initially there is now black pepper that covers the sides of my mouth with a zippy acidity. 

Despite the cigar burning faster than I enjoy, the flavors have turned to a creamier mix with toffee and nuts on the long finish. Cedar returns along with the barley wine smell from the foot with a leather that leaves the drying sensation as the smoke is exhaled. I get sweetness from the wrapper along with a mustiness that at times has a mushroom/earthy quality to it. Another retrohale gives off more earth, pencil lead and pepper which gets a bit muddled at its end. The burn is sharp even with the ash not holding on well and the strength settles into a medium body. Coffee and wood return with a shorter sharper finish than I’ve experienced before. A final puff initiates a waft of smoke with some sweetness and an herbaceous note that elongates its finish.

Conclusion

This was a well-constructed lancero with a slightly fuller body than the wrapper would indicate. This proves that the appearance of a cigar whether darker or lighter, does not necessarily give a clue as to how strong a cigar will be. The sweetness, wood and pepper that seemed to permeate throughout the cigar was pleasing as well as the long finishes. The change in the last third gave a more earthy profile ending in a sweeter finish. Finding out this was a Davidoff No.1 was quite pleased they brought these back as even though it’s not the most complex cigar the flavors are there if you smoke it slow. I would certainly recommend picking a few up. 

Final Score: 90

Blind Cigar Review: Davidoff Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023

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The eleventh edition of Davidoff’s tribute to the signs of the Chinese Zodiac is the Year of the rabbit. It’s a large double perfecto with an Ecuadorian wrapper Mexican binder with Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers respectively. I’ve been able to smoke all the editions thus far and they have all be well received in their size and tasting profile. Having to smoke this blind, I was excited to smoke what looks like a well-made cigar with its pigtail cap. 

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed:  Davidoff Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023
  • Wrapper: Ecuador
  • Binder: Mexican San Andres
  • Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan 
  • Size: 5” 15/16 x 54 (double perfecto)

Appearance and Construction

This perfecto sports a squat pigtail cap with a few noticeable veins across the wrapper. It’s a bit dry as I run my figures across, and to the touch its firm with sufficient tobacco inside. Rolling in my palm I see how well-crafted the cigar is. The small opening to the foot gives off faint barnyard and wood notes. 

Taste and Smoking Characteristics 

I clip just enough to remove the pigtail cap which allows me to get a nice draw. As I take an unlit puff there’s leather and prune coming through. Using a long match I take flame to the tapered foot and I’m greeted with a salty and gritty start. The perfecto begins to develop leather and pepper with roasted nuts on the end. As the foot opens wider the smoke builds and with a retrohale I get honey and leather that clings to the sides of my mouth as I exhale. The pepper takes on a stronger role although does not overwhelm. The smoke is billowing now and the cigar is in the medium bodied range. 

About midway the leather dominates and the finish becomes metallic. I get wood and roasted nuts with its progression and an unfortunate tinny impression. The retrohale gives coffee and nuts with a dry dusty finish. The grit returns from the wrapper as I take a slow draw with cocoa and a creamy finish that develops which is quite pleasant. The ash is grayish and long marking the quality of the roller. There’s some dried red fruits appearing while the metallic finish returns. The body of the smoke does not sway from its medium style despite the pepper and increased smoke production I get with another draw. 

The final third gives more honeyed sweetness with toasted oak and dryness on the palate. Another puff delivers more fruit with leather and a short finish. Taking a retrohale the pepper returns along with cedar, almond and another metallic taste as the smoke wafts through. The ash continues to be solid and light gray with an ever present dead even burn. There’s some nice complexity to the cigar although not as pronounced as I’d like. Smoke production is consistently high with a noticeable aroma of oak and notes of cream and leather once again. Taking a final draw the wood profile and leather are in the forefront with a pleasant long finish. 

Conclusion

Seeing this was a Davidoff cigar I was not surprised by its construction nor the way it burned and handled itself. The profile was spot on the medium style. I enjoyed the leather, nuts and dried fruits the cigar produced as well as its complexity as the cigar moved on. The metallic taste I got hurt the overall balance of the smoke and really off put my palate. I wish the flavors were a bit more intense and the finishes a bit longer. I would revisit this cigar in a few months as I’d like to see how it rounds out. As I said I’ve enjoyed the Davidoff Zodiac cigars and if you’ve smoke them already I would continue to check them out.

Final Score: 89

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Davidoff Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Nicaragua Line with Limited Edition Releases

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Davidoff Cigars has launched a unique gran toro cigar and an exquisite cutter to mark the 10th anniversary of its popular Nicaragua line. The celebration highlights the brand’s trailblazing path since the launch of this line, which laid the foundation for its innovative Black Band Collection, widely beloved by cigar aficionados worldwide.

In 2013, Davidoff ventured into fresh terrain, introducing the Nicaragua line with the first Davidoff cigar to carry a black band. The line diversifies Davidoff’s portfolio, adding a fiery intensity drawn from Nicaragua’s volcanic soil to their existing offerings, traditionally known for their milder Dominican blends. Edward Simon, CMO at Oettinger Davidoff, said, “We wanted to please those looking for a more intense palate stimulation. For our Nicaragua 10th Anniversary Limited Edition, our experts took on a new challenge to create yet more depth for our loyal aficionados.”

The limited-edition gran toro cigar captures the spirit of the Nicaragua blend while elevating it to a new sensory level. It underscores Davidoff’s commitment to creating unprecedented tastes, with a special emphasis on ageing of the tobaccos. The combined age of the wrapper, binder, and filler tobaccos used in this cigar is a remarkable 45 years. A unique feature of this offering is the Estelí seco filler tobacco aged in rum casks for six months, a pioneering move for Davidoff. This lends the cigar a depth and complexity that is sure to delight enthusiasts.

Davidoff describes the taste experience of the gran toro as a journey to peak Nicaragua. Initially, it entices with complex nutty flavours, gradually evolving to reveal notes of fresh spice, leather, oak wood, and intriguing hints of eucalyptus. As the cigar comes to its close, the intensity crescendos, with flavours morphing from milk coffee to black coffee, punctuated by fresh herbs and persistent toasting notes.

The 10th Anniversary Limited Edition package includes 12 gran toro cigars housed in a wooden box with a varnished Nicaragua pattern. The box is accentuated with a striking frame and a 10th anniversary sticker on the lid, underscoring the significance of the occasion.

Complementing the limited edition cigar is the Double Blade Cutter Limited Edition. Made in Germany of brushed stainless steel in matte black with silver blades, this cutter embodies the Davidoff Nicaragua aesthetic. It features elegant engravings, including the Davidoff logo and a unique serial number, making it a statement piece and collector’s item.

Starting July 6, 2023*, the Nicaragua 10th Anniversary Limited Edition cigars and Double Blade Cutter will be available at select Davidoff Appointed Merchants, premium cigar retailers, and Davidoff flagship stores.

As Davidoff continues to explore and elevate the world of cigars, aficionados can look forward to a time beautifully filled with these new releases.

*Launch dates and availability may vary depending on country. For more details, visit davidoff.com.

Blind Review: Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Gran Toro

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Davidoff’s black band series has sought to capture the essence of three unique tobaccos to create a blend that stimulates the palate. The 2022 Edition is made up of Brazilian, Nicaraguan, and Dominican tobaccos.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Gran Toro
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian
  • Binder: Brazilian
  • Filler: Brazilian, Nicaraguan, Dominican
  • Size: 5” ½ x 58 (Gran Toro)

Blind Review: Davidoff LE 2022
Appearance and Construction

This cigar is large in its ring gauge and not the typical size I prefer. The wrapper is silky with veins running along the sides. It’s packed with tobacco as I squeeze the wrapper and rolling it in hand the construction is solid. The foot smells of leather, earth, and milk chocolate.

Taste and Smoking Characteristics:

I make a straight cut to the toro and take a dry draw that delivers salt and earth. With my torch lighter I toast the smoke and the first puff is leather and toast with a long finish. There’s chocolate and fruits moving in with leather on the back end. With a retrohale I pick up a vanilla sweetness and bakers’ chocolate with the exhale. The cigar is in the medium bodied range with a whitish gray ash. The burn line is excellent and I’m getting cedar and nuts as the cigar progresses.

Midway there’s peanut surrounded by toast and leather surrounding the insides of my mouth. There’s cinnamon and espresso coming through with a finish of leather that dries out the palate. Another retrohale where there’s more sweetness and nuts with cedar and cream on the end. The medium body remains right on delivering complexity without the strength becoming too overwhelming. Toast and cream permeate from the cigar as well as the smoke that is all around. Peanut and café au lait intermingle which gives a savory element to this toro as it burns through.

In the last third of this large smoke, graphite and oak develop with oolong tea on the finish. Creaminess returns with red fruits and leather which once again dries out the sides of my mouth. There’ a slight vegetal note that hits me which becomes bitter while the burn begins to get hot. I take a slow draw that gives some saltiness along with truffle and earth. The retrohale creates a contrast of spice followed by sweet with citrus that enlivens my sinus on the outro. More leather and wood keep this toro in its ever-consistent medium body. Cocoa powder, cream and peanut comes on strong with another draw. The burn line as the cigar finishes continues to be straight and my last draw closing out the smoke with a blast of chocolate, oak, and leather amongst the long finish.

Conclusion

Having smoked Davidoff cigars for over twenty plus years their quality has never been a question. At worst they can be uninspiring in a blend with little strength or taste. At best they can deliver nuanced flavors in an extremely well-balanced smoking experience with impeccable craftsmanship. The Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Gran Toro brings medium bodied complexities with flavors of chocolate, cream, cedar, fruit, and leather. All the while the cigar’s notes were harmonious and satisfying. I only wish they were even more intense as the combination was enjoyable. For a person who does not love thick ring gauges, this gave so much that I didn’t mind the size. If you can afford to grab these, I would pick up one or more or a box as you will not be disappointed.

Final Rating: 91

Blind Review: Davidoff Escurio Robusto

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The Davidoff Escurio Robusto is a made by Davidoff Cigars who is owned by Oettinger Davidoff AG, based in Basel, Switzerland. The brand is named after the “King of Cigars,” Zino Davidoff who owned and operated a tobacco specialist shop in Geneva, Switzerland from 1926 to 1994. Released in 2015, the Davidoff Escurio line features Brazilian tobacco hailing from the wet climates of the Bay of Todos os Santos. Presented in a beautifully aged Ecaudorian Habanao wrapper, this cigar blend is offered in 5 different vitolas.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Davidoff Escurio Robusto
  • Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
  • Binder: Brazilian Seco (harvested in the Bay of Todos os Santos)
  • Filler: Dominican/ Brazilian tobacco also from the Bay of Todos os Santos
  • Size: 4 1/2 x 54

Blind Review Notes: Davidoff Escurio Robusto

Appearance & Construction

Has your mother-in-law ever come to visit and you really needed an excuse to duck out in your garage the rest of the night? Well then, just become a cigar reviewer like I did and you will always have “important business to attend to that requires immediate attention!” No lie! I actually used that line!  I had to!  I’ve used all my other ones, and I had to think of something less suspicious than normal.

My “important business,” turned out to be a plump robusto with a dead give-away of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.  This is indeed a blind review, but that delicate sheen and true-to-color-palette brown hue is something I never mistake.  It is crisp, veiny, and thin skinned.  If this isn’t Ecuador Habono, I’d be surprised.  The cigar is sturdy in hand and packed well.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

I go with my usual cross-cut and enjoy one of the best cold draws I’ve ever had- sweet molasses and well-humidified cedar.  I toast and light with a single torch and the aromas I’m greeted with as I stoke the flame are baking-spices and wood.

The first third is very reminiscent of every coffee order I would have to, “REMEMBER, OR ELSE!,” as a young construction apprentice.  “Coffee, milk, NO SUGAR! You got that kid!” As if even a dash of Splenda would have been enough to overly sweeten the sugar-plum fairies of pile-driving foreman and journeyman that still dance in my head this many years later.

On its first impression, the cigar shows itself to be a cigar that you don’t have to babysit.  It beckons me to self-indulge in puffery and smoke ring tomfoolery.  You know… all these years of smoking cigars, and I still cant freaking blow one smoke ring!  I knew college was a waste of time and money.

The cigar maintains a very even and cool burn so far. The retrohale and aroma coming off the foot are the same as the cold draw- sweet cedar.

 

The second third opens with some more flavor notes- potting soil, fruit, and hazelnuts.  The aroma and retro remain the same-sweet cedar. The only thing of REAL importance that I pick up is that the cigar is getting stronger.  Before smoking tonight, I happened to bulletproof my stomach with a quadruple patty sharp cheddar cheese burger and a shot of rum. Now, lets see if this cigar can actually tip an elephant over.  I’m down to rock and roll! Its been awhile, goddamnit!

The last third maintains the cool and even burn.  There are no burn issues or draw issues.  It just keeps getting stronger. The flavors also turn harsh- coffee grounds, espresso beans, and burnt toast.  I HATE burnt toast…The aroma and retro surprisingly stay the same- sweet cedar.  As the cigar finishes, I find myself bored and my tongue cooked.  I just want a pint of vanilla ice cream and my mother-in-law to leave ASAP, so i can go back to walking around naked in my own house again. “LEAVE!”

Conclusion

The cigar I smoked was a Davidoff Escurio Robusto.  What do you know?!  The cigar DOES come wrapped in a beautiful Ecuador Habano wrapper and showcases exclusive tobacco harvested from the watery climates of the “Bay of Todos os Santos, Brazil.” “You can dress her up, but you can’t take her out!,” is a saying I’ve come to know all too well in this life.  First, if you’ve ever met any of the women I’ve entertained, and secondly, Ecuador Habano is notorious for covering up a poop stain.  Was it the sauna-like humidity of early August in my garage that made this new and interesting Brazilian tobacco produce a nothing-special yet stronger profile then was advertised?  The construction and combustion were some of the best I’ve seen in awhile, yet I desperately found myself bored and wanting more out such a beautifully presented cigar. The cigar crashed and burned with me hoping it would just turn into a nicotine bomb so I could at least have a good fire-fight story to share!  AND NOW, after finding out the MSRP for the stick, there’s no way I would recommend someone at least give the cigar a shot-EVEN if I had the hope that their smoking experience may fare better than mine just went! When it comes to new and interesting tobaccos, I am known as a smoker that goes where no smoker has ventured before.  As a farmer and winemaker by trade, I also appreciate the notion of terroir and want to see if I can taste the motherland.  With all that said, I have found that many new and interesting tobaccos are almost always hit-or-miss, SOOOOOO, I strongly feel you shouldn’t have to pay a ransom for potential volatility.  If you want something funky, out-of-the-box, unorthodox and different- with a better pricing scheme- I would totally recommend CAO cigars as an alternative.  For cigars similar in effort to this one: if you can snag something from CAO’s quick-t0-sell “Amazon Basin” line or their “Brazilia” brand- I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Enjoy!

Final Score: 79

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