The Davidoff Core line consists of iconic cigars that were first to birth the trademark of the famous Zino Davidoff. Handmade to from plant to shop, the line is made up of the Signature, Aniversario, Grand Cru and also Millenium collection which contains complex fragrances blended with heady scents, some refined and also fragile, while others flooding your mouth with rich, dark luscious aftertastes. Today we will be reviewing the Davidoff | 702Special R.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Davidoff master blender Henke Kelner has taken the time to re-imagine and change select styles in the Signature and Aniversario series, giving them an amazing twist with the legendary 702 Ecuadorian wrapper, born from the hybrid of three Cuban seeds. The Signature 2000 that is full of fresh flower scents that mingle with natural, woody notes, as well as disclose a tip of sweetness, currently delivers deep flavors of coffee, wood as well as natural leather with a creamy aftertaste. The Aniversario Double R, Aniversario No. 3, Special T, and Special R that we know and love for their exquisite aroma as well as thoroughly balanced blend of tobacco, are escalated with a bolder taste experience.
“Darker brown wrapper on this robusto. Double cap I think, with almost invisible seams. Very firm with no uneven soft spots. The tobacco is protruding from the cut line at the foot and looks like it is forming a meniscus. This is probably due to being a tight fit in the box as the cut line on the wrapper looks near perfect.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Aroma: 89
“Earthy and barnyard from the foot. Dry pull is almost like tea leaves with a very herbal flavor. Raisins and sweetness detected also.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“This cigar started off with a savory mess of kitchen spices (pepper, cumin, coriander, fennel) and cedar. It moved dry wood, saw dust, and reminded me of woodshop class oh so many years ago. The ash built nicely like stacked dimes, but fell easily before the end of the third.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Cold draw i get some Cinnamon, gram cracker and sweet tobacco. A bit of Raisin on the finish early on with some toast. The cigar is really drying out my mouth, I am constantly needing to sip some water. Some cream with vegetal elements on the finish moves in about 2 inches in.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Chocolate and nougat. Spice has faded and almost undetectable. Getting some of the raisin flavors that were detected on the pre light draw. Fantastic burn so far and absolutely zero construction issues. Quite pleasant aroma that has me enjoying this smoke even more.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“The vegetal and cream is up front and center now, but there is a woody/spice lingering in the background. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third developed into the cigar that I was expecting based upon the initial aroma. All traces of the harshness faded and the baking spices that I smelled earlier finally showed up. Along with the spices I began to taste a light honey sweetness and a creamy milk toast flavor. Its really amazing that a cigar can change so much… ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“There ws a chocolate like sweetness that came with the final third. While I was not picking up actual chocolate notes, the sweetness is there. Dry wood is still the player in the retro. I founding myself enjoying this cigar more each time I picked it up. Aside from the sweetness, the wood, kitchen spices and leather notes continued through the finale.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“If this had started the same way it finished I would buy a box tomorrow. The first two thirds, unfortunately, have me wondering if my sample was a fluke or intentional…” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“This turned out to be a delicious cigar with a great array of flavors laying in a wooden backbone. I want another. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Little stronger kick than expected. Very nice flavors and an enjoyable cigar. Flavors transitioned nicely from start to finish. Little time in the humidor could take a little of the tingle from the flavors and mellow them out a bit more. Overall I enjoyed this cigar and would recommend to my friends. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“I'm not going to lie, the cigar started out rough, and it kept drying out my mouth where I had to take a sip of water with every puff, but it really blossomed into a very nice smoke, and right about two inches in. Lots of vegetable and cream flavors with a some spice that tried to take over, and eventually did, but the vegetable flavors were still there. Really nice smoke. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
