What glorious weather we have been having in London! I hope where ever you are, you too are experiencing weather as beautiful as ours.
Davidoff has been a brand that has been discussed on the podcast a few times with my friend Eddie Sahakian, however, unfortunately it is not a brand I myself have a tremendous amount of experience with.
Nevertheless, in the last couple of months I have endeavoured to sample as much of the Davidoff line as I can, this has culminated in a true treat, the sampling of the behemoth, the Davidoff LE 2022.
While contemplating how to share this experience with you I had to turn to my dear friend the English Cigar Aficionado.
We sampled the cigar together, discussed the experience, exchanged notes and he has very kindly written his impressions below.
You guys are in for a real treat, instead of hearing from an amateur who doesn't know what he's talking about, time to hear from someone who can eloquently articulate the experience. Needless to say, we loved it.
“The cigar is an instrument of happiness and carries with it, as time passes, relaxation and peace of mind”, so Zino Davidoff appositely observed in his authoritative book, “The Connoisseur’s Book of the Cigar”.
All the more true when the hefty and highly anticipated cigar in question was the Davidoff Limited Edition release for 2022 and the company was Omar at Edmundos (Fulham Road, London).
The cigar, which combines elements of the Escurio, Nicaragua and Yamasá blends, was a sight to behold: an intimidating 58 ring gauge and measuring 5 1/2 inches in length (known as a Gran Toro).
The Ecuadorian wrapper was silky smooth and faultless to the eye. The lighting of this cigar, a personal but serious matter (of course), was by match and such was its sheer size that several were obliterated.
Eventually, the first long puff was memorable and truly one to savour. Delicious and inviting, and a sign of good things to come.
Davidoff LE 2022 Taken on Nikon Z6
The flavour profile was one marked by elegance and balance, no flavour too prominent or overwhelming on the palate. What did, however, noticeably emerge during a super smooth journey was everything from vanilla sweetness to cocoa, and hints of pepper and leather.
The lingering finish was satisfyingly sweet, and all accompanied by the most decadent and rewarding smoke production.
This Gran Toro was flawless in construction too: a perfect draw with just the right amount of resistance, a razor-sharp burn, and a very solid ash. As to the latter, this was particularly pleasing since any who may have stumbled across my Instagram profile will know, I have a huge weakness for the so-called “ash game” (that is, maintaining the ash on the cigar for as long as possible. Indeed, something that Winston Churchill was reputed to do to distract opponents during meetings).
Davidoff LE 2022 Taken on Nikon Z6
Needless to say, I was delighted to recently read some industry vindication of this curious exercise. In his new edition, “The Cigar, From Soil to Soul”, the author Didier Houvenaghel notes, “The compactness of the ash is an interesting indication, as it allows both the quality of the raw material and the dexterity of the roller to be evaluated.” This beautiful and compact white ash was a credit indeed to the roller.
Davidoff LE 2022 Taken on Nikon Z6
Both in construction and flavour this smoke excelled – truly an instrument of happiness.