Davidoff Reserva 12
A friend in a cigar shop I spend some time in gifted me with today’s smoke, the Davidoff Reserva 12. It amazes me how often someone will gift me a cigar, but I am totally floored when it is a cigar of this nature. Five different filler tobaccos were used to produce Davidoff’s Reserva 12 limited edition cigar for 2008. As the name suggests, the cigar’s blend of filler tobaccos were seasoned for up to 12 years in the Dominican Republic. This limited edition Robusto-size cigar measures 5 ½ inches in length with a ring gauge of 52. The Reserva 12 is available in wooden boxes of 10 from selected tobacconists. Here is a breakdown of the blend:
Cigar: Davidoff Reserva 12
Size: 5,5 x52
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper:Ecuador Special Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: San Vicente Ligero, Piloto Seco, Jalapa Especial Ligero, Corojo/Olor
Appearance & Construction (20/20): A typical looking Davidoff with the exception of a slightly darker wrapper with minimal veins and an exquisitely placed cap. The cigar sports the classic Davidoff label, with the secondary band stating ‘Reserva 12′. It is virtually impossible to find a flaw on this cigar.
Flavor & Notes (29/30): The flavor profile on this cigar is totally different than a regular Davidoff cigar with the exception of the prelight draw which was typical of a Davidoff offering notes of earth/grass. Once lighting the smoke the sun grown wrapper is evident as there is a slight pepper, which during the first third of the smoke is joined by notes of wood. As we approach the middle portion of the cigar some feint grassy notes begin to emerge with nice toasted wood notes and a touch of leather. As we finish the final third of the smoke, notes of wood remain with some leather.
Burn/Ash/Draw (23/25): The burn is as always for a Davidoff flawless. The ash started off with a huge flowering effect, that after an 1/8th of an inch the ash corrected itself and remained strong and tight. I only had to ash 3 times. Once at the half way point, once at the label and I had an ash left when I put the nub down. The color of the ash was a very light gray with some dark spots here and there.. The burn started off jagged, but it too corrected itself rather quickly and remained straight throughout the smoke.
Overall (25/25): This cigar is hands down the best Davidoff that I have ever had, and it is easily in the top 10 cigars that I have ever smoked. From the initial light to the last puff, the cigar was just what the Doctor ordered. A relaxing journey to good mental health. Even with the high price tag of $18.50 a stick this cigar is well worth the price but it should be saved in your humidor for those days you need to wash the stress away.
Rating: 97
Price: $185.00 a box of 10
I have a great story for you. I just turned 30 last week. The wife and good friends kidnapped me for 3 days. They took me to a mountain top log cabin in the NC mountains. One of my favorite places to be. On top of that she bought me a box of these cigars. This is a woman that only shakes her head in disgust when the boys light up. She knows nothing about cigars but she got these.
During our second evening we all got into the deck hot tube that over looks the valley while it was snowing and lit up these smokes. AMAZING!
These were the best smokes I have ever had. “The Boys” loved them too.