Monday, May 15, 2017

Davidoff 702 Overview

In 2009 Davidoff released a limited edition cigar called the Selecion 702. This cigar became an instant hit with cigar smoker all around the world.The Selecion 702 is considered by many cigar connoisseurs to be Davidoffs best limited  release ever. That's high praise considering the amount of fantastic cigars Davidoff has blended over the years. However the cigar became extremely difficult to obtain, because of the limited quantity that was produced; the exact number of cigars was never officially released by Davidoff. What made this cigar so special was the wrapper that Davidoff used.the wrapper is an Ecuadorian hybrid that comes from three Cuban seeds. Davidoff was able to cross  a pair of seeds to create a wrapper they refer to as the 125, and that seed was crossed with another Cuban seed to produce the wrapper used on this cigar, the 702, hence how this cigar got its name.

    With the original release of the Davidoff Seleccion 702 taking place nearly eight years ago; most of the cigars that were released have long been smoked. This has left many Davidoff fans praying to the cigar gods for another 702 release. Luckily for us Davidoff has answered our prayers with the release of the new Davidoff 702.These cigars will use the aforementioned Ecuadorian  wrapper from the 702 seed. The idea is to give a twist to some of the company’s most iconic cigars.Other than the new wrapper, the 702 Series cigars have the same Dominican binder and Dominican fillers, dimensions and box-counts as the original vitolas. Five iconic Davidoff  sizes are available dawning the illustrious 702 wrapper in the United States. The sizes include the 2000 (5 1/16 x 43), Special R (4 7/8 x 50),  Anniversary No. 3 (6 x 50), Special T (6 x 52), and Double R (7 1/2 x 50).








Tasting Notes:

   For me the most notable attribute of the Davidoff 702 Series is the cigars balance. Each flavors is present,but they all play well together. For myself personally the number one thing that can separate a good cigar from a great cigar is balance.The 702 begins with a good amount of cedar, and woody flavors, finished with a faint sweetness. You can also immediately notice that the body of the cigar is dramatically bolstered by the use of the 702 wrapper. As the cigar progresses the flavors shift and begin to intensify. The cigar shifts from woody to earthy, however some notes of wood remain. Subtle flavors of cream, and coffee enter the picture as well as some pepper to balance things out.

   With so many flavors present it's very easy for a cigar to become unbalanced. When this happens the flavors tend to counteract or wash each other out. Luckily this wasn't the case with the 702. Each flavor is present enough to be easily discerned, but subtle enough to achieve the balance that separates the good cigars from the great. Overall the cigar is a fantastic; smooth medium to full bodied cigar. The 702 features flavors of wood, earth, coffee, and a subtle peppery sweetness. The Davidoff 702 has quickly become my favorite release of this year, and it's easy to see why.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Brand Overview - Davidoff Grand Cru


Davidoff’s world-renowned attention to detail and craftsmanship is a staple to their brand and even more apparent in their Grand Cru Series. Available in a variety of different sizes and in boxes of either 5 or 25 cigars the Grand Cru offers enthusiast a luxurious product, hand rolled to resemble some of the late Zino Davidoff’s finest work. The Grand Cru dawns an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and uses the finest tobaccos from the Dominican Republic to craft the cigars delicate binders and fillers.

Initially the Grand Cru is pleasing to the eye, with tones of caramel and golden brown being the highlights of this perfectly hand rolled single wrapped cigar. Davidoff’s meticulous 72 point inspections, some of the most notable in the cigar industry become apparent here and are only highlighted as the smoking experience begins. The cigar, perfect in appearance had seemingly no creases, a feat not many rollers can achieve.

Before lighting such a luxurious tobacco many aficionados prefer a smaller punch in the Grand Cru’s cap opposed to the standard straight cut, in hopes to maximize and prolong the magnificent experience. Upon smoking the Grand Cru provides smokers with a flavor that is both intense and smooth. Creamy tastes intrigue the palate throughout the cigar while hints of spice keep things interesting and complex. As the Grand Cru continues to burn, earthy notes and sweet flavors of work together to create an experience truly like no other that should be sought out by cigar lovers world wide. The Grand Cru achieves what many cigars can not in being both complex and smooth from start to finish, offering the epitome of what it means to be a medium bodied cigar.

Where the Grand Cru sets itself apart from other cigars is in the prominence of the combination of flavors and the accessibility of this cigars unique profile. Personally, I have never experienced such a masterful combination of such rich flavors from a cigar before and it was truly an experience to be remembered. With each puff being more unique than the last I was most taken away by the Grand Cru’s nutty finish and creamy texture. The draw is airy which allows for easy enjoyment of both flavor and aroma and helps create a sturdy and firm ash. The Grand Cru is a perfect for cigar for just about any occasion although the luxurious tobacco and flavors are perfect for relaxing or putting the perfect emphasis on a well earned accomplishment to better celebrate any achievement.

Davidoff has once again set the bar high for cigar enthusiast and companies alike. The Grand Cru encapsulates everything that a smoker could want from a single experience. From the perfect appearance to the flavorful draws and sweet aroma, the Grand Cru manages to do it all in a beautiful composition for all of a lucky smokers senses. Our only complaint is that we aren’t smoking a Grand Cru right now and that the beautiful cigar has to eventually be put out.