Today on The Cigar Authority we were joined by Klaaus Pieter Kelner of Davidoff Cigars. As has become customary we feature an in-depth review of one of the cigar featured on one of the most recent episodes of The Cigar Authority. This we offer up a review of the Davidoff Series 702 Special R which was part of The Cigar Authority care package. On the show we also previewed the 2018 IPCPR in Las Vegas.
Cigar Review: Davidoff 702 Series Special R
Wrapper: Ecuador 702
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 4 7/8″
Ring Gauge: 50
Vitola: Special R (Robusto)
The Look: The 702 Habano is a hybrid wrapper created from three cuban seeds. The Aniversario No. 3 Series 702 is laid out in one row of 10, in a simple, slide top wooden box. The cigars feature the classic looking Davidoff White Label band and a second band on the cigar to denote the line and size. As for the cigar itself, the chestnut-brown wrapper is evenly colored, with a few thin veins. Under the fingers the wrapper has a subtle sandpaper like feel and is firm to the touch with no soft spots.
The Notes: Once we clip the cap the aroma and cold draw are pretty much on part with each other. It’s classic Davidoff in the sense that it is loaded with earth, hay and cedar. The cold draw and aroma gives away a Davidoff Cigar almost every time, and if this was sans band it would be easy to pick out of a lineup. Once the cigar is lit there is a bit of cedar with an abundance of pepper.
As we move into the first third the pepper which was especially strong on the retrohale begins to pull back some. There is still some cedar and a developing caramel and nuttiness. The retrohale reveals some sweetness and as the first third comes to a close there is a long cedar finish.
In the second third the wood notes begin to fluctuate between cedar and oak. One is sweet, while the other has a bitter component. It’s wood that serves as the primary note, but there are subtle nuances of nuts and hay while the finish of the cigar is very creamy. The finish remains long as the retrohale ads a touch of red pepper with a touch of sweetness.
The last third of the cigar becomes predominant earthy with characteristics that were found on the cold draw of the cigar. There is earth, hay and cedar. The retrohale of the cigar has a touch of molasses with an abundandance of pepper that continues into the long finish.
The Finish: It’s not often you fire up a Davidoff cigar and comment on the strength of it. But it’s balanced, and smooth which is an exceptional job on blending. The 702 wrapper really changes things up on the Special R creating a new experience on a Davidoff classic. If I had one knock on the cigar, it felt like I smoked it fast which as a slow smoker is something I never really experience. But it could be because I was enjoying it that much.
Score: 93
Price: $21.59 single / $84.99 four-pack / $508.99 box
Davidoff Special R 702
Davidoff Special R 702 Foot
Davidoff Special R 702 Burn
