Davidoff Maduro R:Robusto:Maduro

You've seen of how I handled a high price cigar, so is this Davidoff any different? Choosing another super premium stogie was a little bit difficult for me. But I have high hopes for this stick. Unlike the ESG this stick doesn't try to compete with anything else, its in a class of its own. So Davidoff makes a maduro, a departure from its usual lighter shade lines. So how does this Davidoff Maduro hold up against other Maduros?

SPECS-
Size- Robusto 5x52
Wrapper-Dominican
Binder-San Vincente
Filler-Sungrown Nicaraguan Cuban-seed
Price-$17.00
Cut-V,Guillatine
Smoke Time-1 hour

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-The wrapper on this stick is gorgeous, the reddish brown Maduro is lightly sweet and the foot is reminiscent of a fine chocolate truffle. The wrapper gave of a slightly salty taste to it and a cold draw that was slightly yeasty and complementing. This stick is very solid and heavy for its size. This Maduro again shows that Davidoff is in a Class of its own.

FIRST THIRD--This Cigar bellows out plenty of white and thick creamy smoke with a long finish. The first draws are a very polite spice, its just there to welcome you into a very dark and complex smoke. The long finish introduces one of the main flavors, mocha. The mocha is very thick with a good flavor profile that is well rounded. This is a very slow burning stick with a almost perfect burn line, this maduro is one of the best on the market.

SECOND THIRD-This third brings along some very complex and dark flavors. There's a good espresso flavor that is underestimated by words, along with it there are some nuts. On the finish of the thick smoke there are hints of saffron and anise. As the backdrop of all of this is a yeasty flavor very similar to fresh bread. This is without a doubt the best third.

FINAL THIRD-Overall this is a pretty one dimensional smoke. The overall flavors don't progress much but the stick is blended in such a way that you don't get bored of it. This is without a doubt a Full bodied cigar. Its very complex, it'll take you many sticks to fully understand and enjoy the flavors it produces. This is my second one and I was able to detect tastes of black cherry and hints of peach flesh that I did not get on my first stick. Overall the burn was good and the smoke entertaining. The price though is a little debatable. At $17 dollars it's a bit rich for the tastes you get and I'm sure knocking the price off this stick a buck or 2 would make it truly reflect the experience.

LAST IMPRESSIONS-This is a good cigar, truly more of a special occasion smoke or a smoke to challenge your taste buds. The yeasty flavor told me alot about this cigar, it has a lot of sugar it yet has to ferment. Ageing this stick without a doubt will make it a stupendous smoke and truly make the price justifiable. This is a without a doubt a great maduro and a great experience that any Maduro lover will greatly appreciate, now if only that price was cheaper.

RATING-93
Buy It Again?Yes
Recommended it? Yes, I recommend buying two if you can, smoke one young and then age the other, your time and money will surely be worth it.

Avo XO:Preludio:Connecticut

This is my first AVO cigar. With Davidoff's master blender behind this one I expected a much richer or fulfilling smoke.

SPECS-
Size: Preludio 6 x 40
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Smoke Time: 30 mins
Price: $7.60
Drink: None
Cut: Punch/Guillotine
Touch-Ups: 1

FIRST IMPRESSION- This is a very crisp and clean looking stick. Sporting a somewhat dry
Connecticut wrapper with just one big vein branching vein on the back, this cigar is pretty. Its construction is excellent, light yet modestly packed this cigar shows AVO's high class rollmenship. The dry wrapper smelt of dry hay, or barnyard. The foot had the same dry smell with a slight earth hint. The cigar was punched cleanly and easily. The draw was very good, with the wrapper being slightly salty and with the cold taste similar to nori, or that green leaf outside sushi rolls. Interesting.

First-Second-Third Thirds-Since this is a very one dimensional cigar it'd be redundant to give this cigar proper third reviews. The tastes are all very similar beginning to end and with separate thirds review I'd be almost repeating myself. The First Third, was probably the best third. With hints of cedar,nuts, and a smooth butter cream that leaves a long taste on the palate. The Second Third looses the cedar hints and welcomes you with more of a roasted nut flavor. The nuts are complimented with a very sweet leather and hints of coffee if you dig for them hard enough. The creaminess of cigar is still there but not as profound. The Cigar is very mild for me and with the Last Third it just picks up a little into a very light medium range of flavor. A dark and more richer taste of leather takes up as the main flavor. This crescendo was good, but the flavor is not all there it peaks, then its gone, leaving you a faint taste of leather. The ash on this cigar was slightly above average with the longest ash holding up a least a inch close to the band and the rest just slight flaky and never truly holding on after that.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-Overall the cigar was alright. For its price point I just expected a lot more outta of it, you can get better same flavor profiles from cheaper sticks. I think the name of the cigar fits it perfectly "The Preludio" which I'm pretty sure means prelude in Italian. This Cigar is great for the middle of the day, or if you're going to smoking a lot of other cigars its perfect. The emptiness and not much of a punch makes you desire something else and gets your mind set for a stronger, more complementing,fuller smoke, this truly is a prelude. I just wish this intro was much cheaper.

Rating-81
Buy It Again-Maybe, not in any rush to get one though.
Recommended? Only If you never tried a AVO or Davidoff, or you're heading to a Hurf.