In 2017 Davidoff coordinated with six chefs with a combined nine Michelin stars to create a cigar blended to their pallate. This they brought in five chefs with 16 stars including one of the world’s most well known chefs. These chefs are: Thomas Keller, Alvin Leung , Klaus Erfort, Heiko Nieder , Shaun Rankin.
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.
This years version is the same size as 2017, a 6 x 54 toro. It uses a Dominican wrapper with Mexican San Andrés negro binder and piloto viso, San Vicente mejorado ligero and Yamasá viso—and visos from Estelí, Nicaraguafrom the Dominican Republic. There are only 5,000 boxes of 10 cigars made, but only half will end up in the U.S.
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Sweet leather is strong and dominate post light up. A half of an inch in additions notes of cream and pepper appear as well as a sweet hay like flavor towards the end of this third. Unfortunately, it favors a softer side of the stick and burns unevenly the whole time. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Lots of spice in the body of this cigar but retrohale is actually much milder. Barnyard, leather, and sadly a bit of an ashy taste dominate the smoke. I get a random hint of fruity/ citrus that is great but hard to describe. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Cigar rounded out a bit and spice has slightly decreased. I’m still picking up hints of a floral note but also random mild sour notes in the retrohale. Hay, cedar, and a bit of funkiness (in a good way) keeps me intrigued. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
“Spicy hay like flavors kick off this third. A transition into a deep charred oak barrel like flavor, roasted green bell pepper and an intense pepper ushers in a transition towards the end. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Final Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Roasted coffee beans with a minor sour aftertaste kicks things off here. This profile as well as a smokiness only intensifies as the end
“Not much changing from the second 1/3. Continues to be an interesting cigar but nothing amazing. A bit too much of an ashy flavor ruining what could be a much better smoke. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“Very nice open draw, plenty of smoke” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 91
“Only needed one correction but was wavy the whole experience.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 89
“One side was a bit too soft and as a result burned quicker. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 90
“I probably wouldn’t smoke this cigar again, But would be acceptable yard gar” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This was a decent stick with plenty of flavor transitions from third to third. The thick luxurious flavors proved ample enjoyment and relaxation. The only downside I had was with the burn as a result of an uneven construction during the first half of the cigar. Something I’d like to try again before I decide if it’s a must try….” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Really good cigar overall. Nothing amazing stands out but I enjoyed the interesting flavors that stood out and the spice throughout. I wish it would have picked up instead of mellowing out though. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
“When I could smoke this cigar I was with cream, leather, wood and baking spices. Unfortunately the cigar had to be re lit over and over and would not stay lit, I finally had to throw in the towel. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
"This was a decent stick with plenty of flavor transitions from third to third. The thick luxurious flavors proved ample enjoyment and relaxation. The only downside I had was with the burn as a result of an uneven construction during the first half of the cigar. Something I’d like to try again before I decide if it’s a must try...." -John A. (Bostoneo)
