While I was originally in the mood to smoke a Davidoff Short Perfecto this morning, I opted to reach for the limited edition Davidoff White Label 2012 which site sponsor 2GuysCigars.com has in stock in both boxes and singles.
Each year, Davidoff releases a limited edition cigar that has a different blend and size than previous years. Back in 2012, the 52 ring gauge cigar utilized Criollo wrapper grown in the Dominican Republic. Blended by Henke Kelner; the cigars came in 10 count boxes.
Cigar: Davidoff White Label 2012
Size: Robusto Gordo (5.75 x 52)
Wrapper: Dominican Criollo
Binder: Dominican Republic (Piloto)
Filler: Dominican (Piloto, Crillo, Olar/Pilito Hybrid, Corojo, San Vicente)
Strenght: Medium-Full
The Look: Although you can’t tell from the look, it is important to note that the cigar utilizes two different types of ligero tobacco in the filler. The Davidoff White Label 2012 features the classic Davidoff White Label band, with a secondary foot band denoting the year 2012, that is silver and white. Looking at the cigar I would expect it to be served on a silver platter, by a cigar aficionado wearing white gloves and a snifter of brandy next to it. The flawless wrapper has a golden brown like appearance and is as pristine as any wrapper I have ever laid my eyes on. slightly rough to the touch like fine sandpaper the 2012 has no soft spots, a well packed foot, and an average weight to it.
The Notes: Utilizing a double-bladed guillotine cutter, the cap cuts cleanly and the cold draw reveals the sweetness of plums and subtle chocolate. The foot of the cigar has that classic Davidoff nose of barnyard which consists of grass and hay. Once the cigar is toasted and lit I am surprised at how the cigar doesn’t initially come off as something from Henke. There is some spice to this cigar, especially on the retrohale.
Smoking our way into the first third of the Davidoff White Label 2012, there is a note that reminds me of roasted nuts, over earth and hay. The cigar is ridiculously smooth with a sweetness that reminds me of the plums on the cold draw. As the first third comes to a close some cedar notes begin to develop and take over as the dominant note.
The second third the cigar continues to have some pepper through the nose that is remarkably smooth. There is a note that reminds me of the peppercorn cooked on a steak. Not the meat aspect, but strictly the peppercorn. There is also some nuts and cedar present that compliment the peppercorn with a slightly earthy finish.
In the last third of the Davidoff White Label 2012 developed a note of dark chocolate with some espresso and continue pepper through the nose. The finish was short and enjoyable.
The Burn: Davidoff is the definition of luxury in the cigar world, and the Davidoff White Label performs like a luxury product. The light gray ash held on for more than a third of a time with minimal flake. The burn line was pristine, and the carbon line was thin and razor-sharp. There was just enough resistance in the cigar to make it smoke slow which helped maximize the enjoyable nature of the stick.
The Finish: The cigar that now has 3 years of age on it, is a cigar I would have never identified as Davidoff in a blind taste test. Stronger than one would expect from Davidoff, this is a LE stick with a modern flair. Definitely worthy of a few stick based on the rarity alone, and a box on the quality of the smoke. Having taken break from Davidoff over the last 3 years I am really impressed with what is going on with the brand as of late that has renewed my interest in these quality smokes.
Price: $21.50
Score: 93
Davidoff White Label 2012
Davidoff White Label 2012 Foot Band
Davidoff White Label 2012 Foot
Davidoff White Label 2012 Burn
