Davidoff Nicaragua Toro Staff Review
Today’s pick is a fine one, a former ‘#3 Cigar of the Year,’ Davidoff Nicaragua. I’m smoking it in a glistening 5.5 x 54 Toro. Davidoff is a top-shelf luxury brand. Its roots date back to Switzerland just after the turn of the 20th century, when, in 1906, Zino Davidoff was born.
As a young man, Davidoff traveled the world to learn about culture and experience life on a grander scale in lieu of attending university. In 1920’s Cuba, he discovered his passion for premium tobacco. Although his family owned and operated what would become a world-famous tobacco shop in Switzerland, Zino was the first to sell cigars there, importing them for Cuba, and quickly gaining a following among Europe’s most influential statesmen.
The first cigars to bear the Davidoff name were made in Cuba in 1970. Today, the brand enjoys a prestigious global reputation. All Davidoff cigars have been handmade in the Dominican Republic since the late 1980s, when Zino moved production there following a streak of dissatisfaction with the Cubans. Cuban Davidoff cigars from the 1980s, however, are among the most sought-after in the world and can fetch insane prices at auction.
In 2013, the company released its first edition of Davidoff Nicaragua. Though the cigars were made in the Dominican Republic, Davidoff’s master blenders had been experimenting with Nicaraguan tobaccos for years, which they imported to the DR to create the Nicaraguan series. The best Davidoff cigars are handcrafted at the company’s well-established Dominican cigar factory due to meticulous quality control measures.
Davidoff Nicaragua has received multiple ‘Top 25 Cigars of the Year’ rankings from Cigar Aficionado as well as numerous ratings over 90 points. In consideration of its critical acclaim, I am holding Davidoff Nicaragua to a higher standard than others. I expect an excellent burn, flavor profile, and finish as a result.
The blend is entirely Nicaraguan, including a pristine, gingerbread-hued wrapper grown from Cuban seeds and aged for ten years. Its natural oils create a smooth touch. The Toro is sturdy in my hand and feels well made. Two to three cold draws produce notes of Cuban coffee and cedar. Once the cap is cut, the aroma of well-aged tobacco erupts and the cigar is ready to light. As with many Nicaraguan brands, an initial burst of peppery spice hits the palate. The spice is similar to ancho chili peppers.
The first portion of the cigar burns evenly with flavors of cinnamon and coconut. The blend is medium-bodied. A firm salt-and-pepper-colored ash remains intact for a good twenty-five minutes before I gently tap it off. Around the halfway point, a toffee-like sweetness emerges as a prominent tasting note with a touch of spice. The cigar’s top-notch construction reveals a razor-sharp burn all the way down to the nub on this rich, complex blend. The final few puffs deliver peppery doses of leather and oak.
For those who are used to smoking Davidoff’s classic Connecticut-wrapped cigars, but are looking for more strength without sacrificing balance, Davidoff Nicaragua is certainly worth a try. Connoisseurs will enjoy the combination of power and finesse Davidoff achieves with this well-aged, well-made Nicaraguan cigar. Give it a try and take a look at the complete Davidoff portfolio if you’re a fan of premium Dominican brands. Enjoy!
