Disclaimer: These are reviews I did for another site, in another time. The photos no longer exist, but the information will hopefully remain useful to some.
I. Davidoff Millennium Blend Petit Corona: A Review
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: USA / Conn.
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
The pre-light scent of this cigar was interesting. It was both tangy and vegetal- reminding me somewhat of a vinaigrette made with fresh herbs. When I punched it, I ended up with a hole almost the diameter of the cap- so I might as well have used the guillotine cutter. The cold draw was composed of moderate tobacco and wet grass flavors. I lit the cigar entirely with a couple wooden matches.
This one was surprisingly potent from the first puff. It was by far the most stout Davidoff I have ever smoked. The first third tasted primarily of black coffee with a little white pepper stirred in. There was a slight “sharpness” that stayed on my tongue after each draw. It wasn’t really ammonia, but I’d be interested to see if this would tone down after some age (this was about 6 months old).
The second third remained on the cusp of being a completely full-bodied cigar. Notes of cedar emerged to joint he still potent coffee (almost espresso) flavor. The stick gave off plenty of creamy smoke along the way and the burn stayed even going into the nub.
The cigar was actually the smoothest in the nub. The woody notes took over, front and center, with the white pepper also becoming pronounced enough that my lips were burning a little form the spice. One issue that did arise in the final third was the way it went out twice, even though I was puffing at a decent pace. I was able to relight with a torch and purge both times. Total smoking time was 80 minutes.
I was surprised by how strong this little stick was. While many speak negatively about Davidoffs typically being a mild cigar- that is something I appreciate about them. I am usually a big fan of full-bodied smokes, and when I pick up a Davidoff it is for a change of pace. I think their mild lines are very enjoyable cigars, but I’m not yet a fan of their attempts at a stronger blend, as the flavors just didn’t mash in a way I really enjoyed.
Overall: 8.4/10
II. Davidoff Grand Cru No. 4: A Review
I heard Lou Reed (RIP) was a Davidoff fan
Size- Petite Corona (45/8 x 41rg)
Wrapper- Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder/Filler- Dominican Republic
Like most any Davidoff you pick up, this one was attractive, and well-constructed. The wrapper was a little darker than some of the Connecticuts I have encountered recently and it was devoid of any notable veins. It smelled like sweet hay with the slightest bit of cedar- mainly that “spiciness” of cedar, rather than the “woodiness”. I used a large punch that was 75% of the cap’s diameter. The cold draw was mild and the fresh hewn cedar was faint, but the only real flavor I picked up on. It was kind of like when a tobacco “ghosts” a pipe- the flavor isn’t strong, but it is solidly there in its entirety. A lightened photocopy of it you might say. The pull was just right, neither too loose nor too tight. I toasted with a torch and lit with a match.
The first third was very tasty…the cedar was less pronounced than it was in the cold draw and mixed with flavors of fresh grass. The profile was mild and the burn was razor sharp. There was a slight spiciness that seemed to be working its way out as I approached the middle of the cigar.
In the next section an interesting sweetness emerged that some reviewers refer to as tasting like honey. That wasn’t my experience- what I picked up on tasted more like dark spiced rum. Not artificial sugary taste, but more sweet from fermentation. This was a dimension that I don’t believe I’ve ever tasted in another stick. There was A LOT f smoke by this point and it was slightly buttery in consistency.
The sweetness disappeared in the end and the cigar flirted with moving from a mild to medium profile. I lost half the cap, but this was because I used too large a punch, not because it was shoddily rolled. The primary flavors were a bumped up woodiness, some moderate spice (along the lines of white pepper), and a bit of charred taste. The smoke became more “dry” and I found myself drinking more cola as I finished the nub.
Total smoking time was 50 minutes. At ~$53 for a fiver, these are expensive little buggers, but I think they provide really accessible flavors and a fool proof burn, making them great for a new smoker who is interested in trying a good, high-end cigar. I think they would be nice for a wedding since they are also a shorter smoke time wise.
Overall: 90/100
III. Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Tubo: A Review
Manufacturer: Davidoff of Geneva
Country of Origin: Santiago, Dominican Republic
Cigar Size: 5" x 50
Vitola (Shape): Robusto
Wrapper: 10 Year old Nicaraguan Havana Seed Rosado
Binder: Nicaraguan Jalapa, Esteli, Nicaraguan Condega and Ometepe
I bought this stick at a B&M about 2 months ago. I was really excited to try it as I have enjoyed any cigar from this maker that I have had the opportunity to smoke. Unlike every other Davidoff Tubo I have seen, this on came in a striking black sheath, and the cigar band was also black as opposed to the brand’s standard, white and gold. The wrapper was a medium brown with numerous veins. It was nicely constructed with a seamless cap and no visible flaws.
The foot smelled slightly sweet, and still very earthy. It was like I would imagine an autumn leaf smelling if dipped in a bowl of honey. I punched the cap and the cold draw was firm with flavors of tobacco, light pepper notes, and a kind of sweet cream nuance. This was one of the more pleasant cold draws I can remember and it left me excited to fire the cigar up and see where it went. I even found a cedar spill to light it with.
The beginning was not what I would call “full-bodied”, but in my experience Davidoffs run on the milder end of the advertised strength rating. There was a faint spice that stayed in the background, but the earthiness from the cold draw was at the forefront. It was a distinct flavor that reminded me of hiking in the woods and the forest soil after a steady rain. As expected- a perfect burn with beautiful pale grey layers of ash.
The 2nd third of the cigar continued along the lines of a medium profile, but brought a shift away from the damp loam flavor to a sharper cedar taste. A pepper nuance was there, but the mild sweetness hung around in wisps that complemented the primary woody flavor. The burned continued on as sharp as a razor’s edge.
The nub didn’t disappoint as the spice level ratcheted back up. But the sweetness also reached a new level. It was like taking a swizzle stick of sugar and sprinkling it with white pepper. At this point the smoke was slightly buttery and it seemed to slip off my tongue. In the last several puffs it achieved “full-body” and the pepper was the last note before I sat it down.
Pros- Perfect burn, great flavor
Cons- A pretty quick burn (90 minutes) for a $15 robusto
Overall- 9.6/10 A fantastic cigar that I would smoke regularly if only I could afford to.
IV. Davidoff Classic No. 2- A Review
Length: 6”
Diameter: 38
Format: Panetela
Provenance: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild
This cigar had a lighter brown wrapper and several petite veins. It was flawlessly constructed and had something that to the best of my knowledge only two Davidoffs have- a pigtail cap. The foot smelled of fresh grass and nuts (almonds to the best of my discernment). I bit the head and actually had to use a punch to clean up the opening because the pigtail was so neatly done- but VERY small compared to say a Kristoff. The cold draw was comfortable, but firm, and tasted of freshly hewn wood and sweet cream. I toasted with a torch and lit with a wooden match.
The cigar began with pronounced woody notes like what you would taste when you pick up the flavor of the oak cask in a glass of wine. This mixed with an interesting flavor that reminded me of browned butter. After about an inch I noticed something like cayenne pepper in the retrohale. It was slightly spicy, but had a hint of smokiness to it.
A mellow sweetness emerged in the middle of the cigar which balanced nicely with the taste of toasted black walnuts- like you would find in a brownie or banana nut bread. The woody notes from the first third hung around but they were not as prominent. The burn was razor sharp, but the 38rg meant that the cigar was disappearing rather quickly on me.
The smoke from the nub was “creamier” than the rest of the cigar. It had an interesting herbal note that was faintly spicy, but mainly vegetal. Something like tarragon or rosemary maybe? It also had what seemed like a tiny bit of cinnamon. This was by far the most interesting section of the cigar because the flavors layered to be very complex, but they didn't seem randomly muddled. I smoked this one until it fell off the blade of my knife. This was the first cigar in a long time that actually irritated me for ending too soon. The whole thing took only 45 minutes, but I would have happily drug it out over two had I been able to. This was my first experience with the Classic line ( circa 1968 ), and I’m sold. At $15 a pop, you’re spending a buck for every 3 minutes of smoking, but every now and again I think something like this is worth splurging on.
Overall: 9.5/100
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