First introduced in 2006 in limited quantities, this cigar was handcrafted to celebrate what would have been Zino Davidoff’s 100th birthday. Today that cigar returns to commemorate Davidoff’s 50th Anniversary. It was officially released at the 2018 IPCPR and comes in humidified jars designed by French artist Mariane Léger with four different designs; L’Asie (Middle East), L’Moyen Orient (Asia), L’Europe (Europe), and Les Ameriques (Americas).
Cigar Review: Davidoff Diademas Fina LE
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Olor Seco
Filler: Dominican (Piloto Seco, San Vicente Ligero, Piloto Ligero, Hybrid Corojo/Olor Ligero & San Vicente Visus)
Length: 6.75″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Diademas Fina
The Look: Packaged in a while ceramic jar with a wood lid that has a built in humidifier, there is gold print that denotes Davidoff 50, and silver art work that corresponds with the geographic designation. Inside the jar the cigars are separated with a wooden insert. The Diadema Fina features an evenly colored Ecuador Habano wrapper that has a fair among of oils. It’s rolled to near perfection, and in the hand its firm to the touch with no soft spots. The band that decorates the cigar is gold and white with the 50 and Davidoff underneath it. A secondary band showcases the years 1968-2018.
The Notes: Every time I cut and draw it’s pretty much the same experience with a few exceptions and this isn’t one of them There are notes of earth, hay, cedar and grass which is Davidoff at its finest. The aroma off the foot is cedar and a slight floral component that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Given it’s shape I am surprised how fluid the draw was. After we quickly toast the foot the cigars up some floral notes that quickly slide into the background.
The first third of the cigar creates an instant wow factor. There is so much flavor that I struggle where to begin. The floral notes slide into the background and the finish of the cigar is exceptionally creamy. Along the journey there are notes of tree bark which you feel on the first pull, dark chocolate as the smoke rests on you palate, and touches of earth as you exhale the puff. Through the nose there is a wonderful sweet pepper note that brings everything together like a perfectly created meal.
Moving into the second third earthy notes dominate the palate. There is still a rich creamy finish to the cigar that sees sweet peppers make their way on to the palate with touches of tree bark and wheat. It’s incredibly smooth, with a subtle chocolate aroma especially noticeable on the retrohale. While the cigar loses a touch of its complexity in the middle it begins building back up as the second third comes to a close.
The last third sees a subtle black pepper develop over taking the sweet pepper that was experienced on the first two-thirds. Hints of tree bark are still present but the cigar takes on more of a rich cedar sweetness that coats the palate. The retrohale of the cigar sees the return of some floral notes as the cigar has an incredibly creamy finish.
The Finish: First the packaging, it’s a nice little keepsake and it serves a purpose as a humidifier. It made our of porcelain and I am not sure I would want to travel with these as a travel humidor, but it would look nice on the mantle. The Diademas Fina is a cigar that delivers, even with the high price. It is Davidoff at its finest with well-defined notes, subtle complexity and a perfect burn. It’s the friend you don’t want to leave and when the cigar comes to a close there is a sense of sadness.
Score: 94
Price: $36.00 / $359.99
Davidoff Diademas Fina LE
Davidoff Diademas Fina LE Foot
Davidoff Diademas Fina LE Burn
