Last month, Davidoff Cigars unveiled the 2017 Limited Art Edition, Nature Reimagined by Rodell Warner, at Art Basel in Basel, June 15 – 18, 2017. This new Limited Art Edition comes in high-end cigar boxes, each featuring one of five unique artworks created by the artist. Images as exceptional as the 10 beautiful Limited Edition Davidoff Toro cigars included in each box. For this third edition, Warner was granted free rein to create an entirely new body of work, highlighting both his strengths as a visual artist and Davidoff’s own commitment to excellence in its handcrafted, luxury products.
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.
“We quickly learned that what we wanted to discover and communicate is what connects the cigars and the art,” Warner noted. “What goes into the production is what we care about; with both the cigars and the images. We realized that we are designing experiences that are sought out for the pleasure they give, and that we take pleasure in giving only our best.”
Considering the care given to Davidoff’s cigar production, from the highest quality tobacco grown in fertile soil, to its curing process and method of rolling and enjoying, Warner said the five images for his edition should likewise embrace this richness. He thus developed abstractions of the natural elements and processes inherent in Davidoff cigars. “They are nurtured and crafted to create a visual experience full of texture and surprise,” he said about his works. “They are impressions made in the spirit of the products they represent.”
The Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2017 is inspired by photographs of the Caribbean islands. Rodell Warner created a collage of patterns and turned it into a digital three-dimensional object. He then saved images of the digital 3D object viewed from various angles and used these images like puzzle pieces to build the final artwork. Five of his exclusive creations using this new and exciting technique will be released—1,000 numbered boxes for each design—and will be featured on the lid of the Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2017 boxes.
The Limited Art Edition 2017 comes in high-end white lacquered boxes featuring a removable magnetic lid that collectors can use as a frame to display the exclusive artwork. Each box will carry ten exceptional Davidoff Toro cigars. This beautiful and complex cigar is creamy, spicy (Cubra tobacco) and sweet (Matafina tobacco) with constantly-changing flavours of wood, ginger and leather. One of the highest ratings ever achieved in internal tasting panels demonstrates that it is true art for the palate, leaving an unforgettable impression. Warner will create a special series of photographs by projecting the Limited Art Edition images onto subjects, a further maturation from his earlier series First Light and Negatives, which both involved photographs projected onto subjects in increasing degrees of experimentation. The special Collector’s Edition will consist of the Limited Art Edition 2017 cigar box and one photograph signed by the artist from the series, as well as the Davidoff Book Collection.
The Davidoff Lounge at Art Basel is designed by the renowned Swiss firm of Atelier Oï. It will showcase the artists and activities of the Davidoff Art Initiative and serve as a place to give expression to Oettinger Davidoff’s core values: the company’s respect for the natural environment, its support for the time-honored techniques of premium tobacco cultivation and cigar production, and its embrace of the cultural heritage and contemporary artistic vibrancy of the Caribbean region. As a result, the lounge will convey a feeling of warmth, luxury, and authenticity associated with the Caribbean and reflected in Davidoff’s motto, Time Beautifully Filled.
The Limited Art Edition and a selection of artworks from Warner form the centerpiece of the Davidoff Lounge during Art Basel in Basel. Furthermore, Davidoff Art Initiative in collaboration with My Art Guides opens Basel Meeting Point, an ephemeral venue and event in the heart of the city at Rheinsprung 1, from Monday, June 12 through Saturday, 17 June from 2pm – 6pm. Conceived as a creative retreat and a forum to exchange ideas and enjoy discourses, Basel Meeting Point will feature works from the Davidoff Limited Art Editions artists — Quisqueya Henríquez, Olivia McGilchrist and Rodell Warner alongside a program of talks and salon presentations.
About the Artist- Rodell Warner (b. 1986, Trinidad & Tobago) is a multimedia artist. He has exhibited in Kingston, Johannesburg, London, New York, Washington, and Maracaibo. Warner was a recipient of the 2011 Commonwealth Connections International Arts Residency, and he was an artist in residence at Caribbean Linked II in Aruba in 2013, and at New Local Space (NLS) in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2014.
About the Davidoff Art Initiative – The Davidoff Art Initiative supports contemporary art and artists in the Caribbean, strengthens art organizations, and fosters cultural engagement between the Caribbean and the rest of the world. It brings opportunity and visibility to the art and culture of the wider Caribbean region, including the Dominican Republic, where much of Davidoff’s production and many of the employees are based. Extending the company’s long-standing commitment to artistry, part of the revenues generated by the Limited Art Edition 2017 will be dedicated to sustaining the Davidoff Art Initiative and supporting young emerging artists from the Caribbean. For more information, please visit davidoffartinitiative.com.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: “Habano” Ecuador
Binder: Sumatra Ecuador
Filler: “Brazilian Matafina, Visus and Cubra Visus,
Dominican San Vicente Mejorado Visus,
Piloto Visus and Hybrid Olor/PilotoSeco”
Factory: TABADOM
Blender: Hendrick Kelner
Number of reviewers: 5 – Isaac M.(The Nothing) John I. (John I.) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf) Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd) Gregg (McGreggor57)
Price: $39.00
Age: 1 Month
Release Date: June 2017
Contributed by: Davidoff Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“While the seams were fairly visible, the cigar was otherwise without flaws. The wrapper leaf was velvety smooth.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Aroma: 88
“Mostly leather along the wrapper with some mild barnyard at the foot. The cold draw offered of a sweetness with a chocolate note.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
First Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Faint floral notes on the pre-light draw. Upon lighting, the initial impressions are of soft butteriness, big smoke output, and the oil evident in the wrapper is heating up and glistening along the burn line. Sexy time. About an inch in, and flavors have sharpened into focus, faint caramel sweetness, creamy butter, and soft supple leather are prominent. Smoke production is significant, but not as heavy as initially. Smoke leaves a nice oily coating on the palate, and particularly on the retrohale. Ash dropped naturally when set down at about the end of the first third.” –John I. (John I.)
“Right off the bat I’m hooked…the initial flavors are a bit spicy and have a dry, leathery note that is interesting and begs me to take the next puff. The finish is very short and leaves my palate clean and fresh. This is a great start.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Around the mid point, and leather notes are beginning to dominate, but there remains marked creaminess on the finish. This is a really good thing. Not super complex, but really nice core flavors. Burn line is getting a little wonky, but well within acceptable limits.” –John I. (John I.)
“The oak char begins to lessen as assorted baking spices sweeten the profile. The pepper is still present, but not overpowering. Again, not much change during this third once the flavors establish themselves.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Final Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Potency is picking up a little bit toward the finale, but it remains pretty firmly within the realm of medium strength. I’m feeling a bit of a tickle in the belly, but fortunately I prepped with a big breakfast. There is a bit of the floral/herbaceous character that was evident very early in this smoke now, along with a deepening leather flavor. Less creaminess as it picks up strength in a very pleasant manner.” –John I. (John I.)
“The final third continues with the leather. A few hints of toasted wood and some mild floral notes join in, too. Very consistent.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 91
“The draw, with a straight cut, was just about perfect. Not light. Nothing tough. Goldilocks!” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Burn: 94
“Tons of smoke with only an initial lighting issue, although probably through no fault of the cigar.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
Construction: 94
“Visually this was a beautiful cigar. Fortunately it performed equally well, providing me with a trouble free experience. Is have given it a tearing l rating of almost perfect if the ash was just a bit stronger.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92
“This cigar never hit my wheelhouse. Normally if I had come across a cigar with muddied flavors like this one had, I would have likely tossed it early on. I wouldn’t even relegate it to yard ‘gar duty, and would probably steer my friends clear of something like this.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“I was a little hesitant firing this up early in the day as I typically opt for smaller vitolas, particularly early, and fully expected this to be a big booming powerhouse. It turns out that this was a tremendous selection for a long lazy weekend morning. If I’d waited till later in the evening when I usually opt for something more potent, this may have been a little disappointing, but probably not too much of a let down. Overall this was not a wildly nuanced, or complex cigar, but it really was exceptional for what it did offer. As big ring smokes become more popular it seems like there is less consideration of the blend as manufacturers rush to get big sticks to the market. Definitely not the case here. Whoever put this together knows their craft, and I thank them for it.” –John I. (John I.)
“I have to admit that I was immediately turned off based on the girth of this cigar. Fortunately, the performance and flavor were so good that the RG was never a concern.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“I can’t say that it was complex, because it wasn’t. I can’t say it was really interesting, because it wasn’t. What can say is that it was a very consistent flavor profile that will be a pleasure for anyone who loves dominant leather flavors in a cigar. Great draw, lots of smoke, clean burn, consistent flavors. Maybe not really memorable, but well done.” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“I found this cigar to be a bit one dimensional x 3. The transitions between the thirds was noticeable, but once that profile was established there were no flavor shifts within the third. Thankfully each offered solid tastes. The increase in strength near the end got my attention and was appreciated.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2017
Overall Score – 91 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2017
Summary
"I was a little hesitant firing this up early in the day as I typically opt for smaller vitolas, particularly early, and fully expected this to be a big booming powerhouse. It turns out that this was a tremendous selection for a long lazy weekend morning. If I'd waited till later in the evening when I usually opt for something more potent, this may have been a little disappointing, but probably not too much of a let down. Overall this was not a wildly nuanced, or complex cigar, but it really was exceptional for what it did offer. As big ring smokes become more popular it seems like there is less consideration of the blend as manufacturers rush to get big sticks to the market. Definitely not the case here. Whoever put this together knows their craft, and I thank them for it." -John I. (John I.)
Cigar Info
“We quickly learned that what we wanted to discover and communicate is what connects the cigars and the art,” Warner noted. “What goes into the production is what we care about; with both the cigars and the images. We realized that we are designing experiences that are sought out for the pleasure they give, and that we take pleasure in giving only our best.”
Considering the care given to Davidoff’s cigar production, from the highest quality tobacco grown in fertile soil, to its curing process and method of rolling and enjoying, Warner said the five images for his edition should likewise embrace this richness. He thus developed abstractions of the natural elements and processes inherent in Davidoff cigars. “They are nurtured and crafted to create a visual experience full of texture and surprise,” he said about his works. “They are impressions made in the spirit of the products they represent.”
The Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2017 is inspired by photographs of the Caribbean islands. Rodell Warner created a collage of patterns and turned it into a digital three-dimensional object. He then saved images of the digital 3D object viewed from various angles and used these images like puzzle pieces to build the final artwork. Five of his exclusive creations using this new and exciting technique will be released—1,000 numbered boxes for each design—and will be featured on the lid of the Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2017 boxes.
The Limited Art Edition 2017 comes in high-end white lacquered boxes featuring a removable magnetic lid that collectors can use as a frame to display the exclusive artwork. Each box will carry ten exceptional Davidoff Toro cigars. This beautiful and complex cigar is creamy, spicy (Cubra tobacco) and sweet (Matafina tobacco) with constantly-changing flavours of wood, ginger and leather. One of the highest ratings ever achieved in internal tasting panels demonstrates that it is true art for the palate, leaving an unforgettable impression. Warner will create a special series of photographs by projecting the Limited Art Edition images onto subjects, a further maturation from his earlier series First Light and Negatives, which both involved photographs projected onto subjects in increasing degrees of experimentation. The special Collector’s Edition will consist of the Limited Art Edition 2017 cigar box and one photograph signed by the artist from the series, as well as the Davidoff Book Collection.
The Davidoff Lounge at Art Basel is designed by the renowned Swiss firm of Atelier Oï. It will showcase the artists and activities of the Davidoff Art Initiative and serve as a place to give expression to Oettinger Davidoff’s core values: the company’s respect for the natural environment, its support for the time-honored techniques of premium tobacco cultivation and cigar production, and its embrace of the cultural heritage and contemporary artistic vibrancy of the Caribbean region. As a result, the lounge will convey a feeling of warmth, luxury, and authenticity associated with the Caribbean and reflected in Davidoff’s motto, Time Beautifully Filled.
The Limited Art Edition and a selection of artworks from Warner form the centerpiece of the Davidoff Lounge during Art Basel in Basel. Furthermore, Davidoff Art Initiative in collaboration with My Art Guides opens Basel Meeting Point, an ephemeral venue and event in the heart of the city at Rheinsprung 1, from Monday, June 12 through Saturday, 17 June from 2pm – 6pm. Conceived as a creative retreat and a forum to exchange ideas and enjoy discourses, Basel Meeting Point will feature works from the Davidoff Limited Art Editions artists — Quisqueya Henríquez, Olivia McGilchrist and Rodell Warner alongside a program of talks and salon presentations.
First Third
