Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan Jalapa
Filler: Nicaragua – Estelí Seco Cask Aged (Rum) / Estelí Semilla B Visus / Estelí Semilla A Ligero / Jalapa Visus / Condega Seco
Size: 6 x 56 Gran Toro
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $36.00
My cigars have had nearly 3 months of naked humidor time.
Considering that the tobacco used has been aged for years, 3 months should provide a decent blender’s intent.
That being said…it may not be sufficient rest for this cigar. Only 3300 boxes of 12 have been released to the U.S. They may sit forever on store shelves. Or disappear quickly. Then again, nothing disappears quickly in this price range. I could be wrong. How am I doing on waffling?
BACKGROUND:
From Davidoff London:
“Davidoff’s Master Blenders composed the limited edition gran toro cigar with a selection of tobaccos of a total age of 45 years. Adding to the already-aged filler, binder and wrapper, our blenders also introduced a 9-year-old Estel tobacco to the mix for the first time which have never combined in one blend before.
“Another novelty for this limited edition is the rum cask aged Estel seco tobacco: It creates a depth which is unprecedented for Davidoff Nicaragua – a palate stimulation on a new level.”
The aging in rum casks was accomplished in 6 months.
The tobacco leaves were “…flipped every two weeks applying a labour intensive process. Meanwhile, the tobacco absorbs the rum aromas of the cask’s wood. This is a natural process during which no rum is applied to the tobacco leaves directly.”
You can read more about this cigar if you like directly from Davidoff.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Aromas linger. But the availability of nasal awareness finds notes of rum, oak, espresso, creaminess, nuttiness, various spicy peppers, and raw sugar.
Interesting point of conversation: On the Davidoff site, they project that the cigar will provide 60 minutes of enjoyment. If you’ve ever smoked, what is basically, a Gordo…it takes a lot longer to smoke than an hour. The difference in diameter between a 56 ring gauge and a 60 ring gauge is 4/64”Ø. Or 1/16”Ø. Hardly a dissimilarity.
I use my PerfecPunch to remove the cap…like a hot knife through ferret butter. The draw is wide open. The cigar is a tad light, but I expect it to fatten up once lit.
Smooth start whose flavors slop over into the mystic. The aged rum cask aspects are front and center. Sometimes barrel aging just settles into a generic sweetness. Or it can be overwhelming and taste like an ACID. This cigar seems to have hit liquor gold. The sweetness is as rummy as my Uncle Irving.
With all this aging, I did expect a more spectacular flash. Instead, I got a mellow foundation that is far from spectacular. Davidoff used some seriously aged tobacco that finds this cigar launching at a mild to medium strength with medium body.
I shift my brain into high sophistication mode to understand what I’m smoking. Flavors have a muted intensity. I’m not sure that makes sense. Everything I taste is at the back of my mouth. It is sweet, nutty, semi-spicy, and oaky.
Construction is spot on with a beautiful char line.
The gist of what Davidoff says about this experience tells me that the second half is where the money lay. I don’t know. $36. Maybe serious sophisticates don’t mind waiting for it…but I expect an immediate lay up from puff number one.
The flavor profile makes a shift at 1-1/2” burned. Creaminess, black pepper, malt, molasses, and tamarind.
The strength inches towards medium/full.
Complexity turns into a good hang at this juncture. Richness begins. An inch and a half warm up seems to have been required.
The extensive aging gives the cigar a very smooth approach. The dichotomy is that it is attached to an ever-changing strength that seems destined to go for the knockout. The light switch is flipped, and the cigar is full tilt at 2” burned. 35 minutes.
I always write my reviews on an empty stomach. I find food in my gut distracts the flavor profile dramatically. It takes a very intense blend to bypass those dormant digestive notes. The shyness of this blend could be decimated if smoked on Taco Tuesdays.
The first sweet spot occurs momentarily after the last paragraph. The cigar slows down in its quest to diminish its presence on the planet.
The complexity I had hoped for from the start is now in force. Warming up is what this cigar does. You need patience. If you believe you gain more patience as you age, you would be wrong.
But I get it now. The cigar comes in acts. And I don’t mean in thirds like cigar reviewers like to use in critiquing the progression of the cigar. The blend is too subtle for any artificial demarcation points. The nuances are now recognized by my palate.
Transitions are very understated. The finish has a lovely warmth and sweetness. Because the flavor profile is shrewd, the inherent black pepper spiciness is a little on the rough side.
The heat of the burn fattens the cigar dramatically. Slowing down is essential so that my brain can assimilate the blender’s intent. I really do get it now. My impatience at commencement was misplaced. I projected correctly that the cigar would need to warm up. I just wasn’t sure if the price point would be misplaced as well. I expected too much due to my inexperience with this level of design.
I’m rambling. My apologies.
Serious intensity kicks in at the halfway point. 50 minutes.
A pause.
I’m listening to Janis. Back in the day, it was considered a mandate that if you overdosed, you must do it at the age of 27. These days, you hear about those same drug related deaths, but they occur when the musician is in his 50’s. Most folks realize in their 30’s that their bodies cannot be punished with the same destructive mode one had in their 20’s. The problem is that brilliant artistry usually comes with insecurities and self-doubt causing a reflex to eradicate the problem with substances. I saw it in action with friends.
Thankfully, my cigar will have none of that 60 minute and done gibberish.
This is a very special cigar journey. I’m very critical of Davidoff. Too many expensive blends don’t deliver the goods. This blend does so with aplomb. The second half becomes a serious flavor bomb. The first half disappears into the memory banks, and I am consumed by what is right in front of my palate in the moment.
A sweet spot extraordinaire with 2-1/2” to go. I’ve invested one hour and 20 minutes.
Whining in the first half was part of my programming. The blend travels beautifully in retrospect.
Because of the rum influence, I believe smoking this cigar with your favorite libation will skew the flavor points. Water is my preferred choice.
This has become a real learning experience with a helluva curve.
The char line has been a work of continuity and artfulness.
The cigar has surgically removed my funny bone. My focus has been 100% responsive mode.
The power of this cigar is fierce. Despite loss of sight in my third eye, I’m along for the entire ride.
A lush and delicious espresso aperture kicks in.
I finish this beauty at 2 hours. Flavors didn’t stray away from the small corners it ventured into. But the cigar became rich with nuances, subtleties, and refinements. A truly sophisticated blend that I highly recommend trying. Sure, you must cast aside your preconceived experiences…but this blend will guide your palate and brain to a congenial island that will keep you in the moment. I don’t recommend the distraction of herfing with your friends with this cigar…it should be cajoled in isolation to appreciate its goal. Well worth your wife blowing up at you should you make the mistake of telling her what you spent on a single cigar.
Two of my sponsors carry this cigar while it lasts…Small Batch Cigar (No discounts on this particular cigar. But 10% off everything else with promo code ‘katman’) and Atlantic Cigar (no promo code).
RATING: 97
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
