DBL 12th Anniversary Habano Cigar Review
This box-pressed release celebrates DBL’s 12 years in the industry with a rich Mexican Sun Grown Habano wrapper paired with an organic Corojo ’99 Cuban seed binder grown on DBL’s own farm. The filler is a bold mix of organic Criollo ’98 and Carbonell tobaccos, delivering depth and complexity.
The cigar presents with a firm box-press and a chocolate brown wrapper. It has excellent construction, is densely packed, and shows off an oily and toothy surface. Veins are visible but add character, with a slight sheen that complements the overall look.
The cigar opens with a punch of white pepper that remains upfront, while cedar starts to weave its way in. The spiciness holds steady, balanced by a note of baked apple dusted with cinnamon. Subtle bitter dark chocolate peeks through, along with flavors of bread, bold cocoa, and dark roast coffee. A touch of salt, reminiscent of sea air, adds dimension alongside lingering cinnamon.
As the smoke progresses, the cocoa and coffee notes continue to dominate but are now joined by earthy undertones and oak wood. Toward the back half, leather emerges, accompanied by the return of white pepper. The profile grows richer and more layered without losing its smoothness.
In the last stretch, leather becomes more pronounced, pairing with buttered brown bread sprinkled lightly with sugar. A touch of butter reappears, accompanied by a vanilla woodiness, like toasted oak from a bourbon barrel. Strong black coffee and hickory wood notes close out the cigar, accented by pepper flavors that round off the finish.
The DBL 12th Anniversary Habano is an impressive, complex, full-bodied cigar that delivers both power and finesse. Construction is superb, with an impeccable draw and a razor-thin burn line that stayed consistent throughout. The flavors transitioned smoothly, offering unexpected nuances along the way. The white, flaky ash suggests well-aged tobaccos at play. This is a cigar that is both satisfying and memorable—one worth revisiting and certainly box-worthy.
Overall Score: 91.78 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 6.99 out of 10
This blind review (Cigar #26-D) was conducted by the Cigar Review Team comprising of: Sam Frishman, Tyler Ceola, JB Smith, Rob Brown, Rick Galletta,, Bret Curry, Mike Conklin, George Hillman, , James Elliott & Eusebio Garre
