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| STARS OF THE SHOW V |
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Page 1 of 2  Tasting and grading the latest and greatest from Davidoff!Los Angeles, August 22 – Way back in 1997, one of the first cigars ever to be labeled as a “limited edition” appeared at the Davidoff of Geneva store at 535 Madison Avenue in New York. Called the “535,” who knew that this 6-inch by 50-ring Toro, created to salute the 10th anniversary of the flagship Davidoff store in the United States, would be the start of a trend? Only 10,000 cigars were made, offered in boxes of 10, but the concept has not simply continued, but expanded. And Davidoff has been at the forefront of the limited-edition craze. In 2008, Davidoff has issued annual, limited-edition, cigars for three of its lines: Davidoff, Avo and The Griffin’s. Avo was the first to offer limiteds, beginning in 2001 with the Avo 75, a blend which became so popular it became a standard-production brand now called the Avo Signature Series. Davidoff limited-edition blends followed in 2002 and The Griffin’s joined in 2004 with the release of the Special XX Edition, celebrating the brand’s 20th anniversary. For this tasting, we tried all three limiteds that were released this year: the Avo Limited Edition 2008: Tesoro, the new Davidoff Reserva 12 robusto and The Griffin’s Limited XXIV Edition. We also couldn’t resist checking out the new Davidoff Maduro Robusto, which debuted at the recent International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association convention and trade show last month. Avo Limited Edition 2008 "Tesoro:" [Dominican Republic: available in 1 size] “Tesoro” means “treasure” and the limited-edition Avo for 2008 is called by that name. It’s a 5 3/4-inch by 50-ring toro, uniquely packed upright, but upside down in a box of 20 with bands on the foot! The cigars themselves are of medium body, with an Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper and a toasty and spicy aroma. This is a spicy cigar, have no doubt about it. While there is a note of sweetness in the first third, the blend of San Vicente and Piloto Cubano tobaccos (with a little Olor to ensure an even burn) creat4es a tingly taste on the tongue on the finish. The spiced flavor continues throughout and increases in intensity in the second half, with a peppery note detected towards the end of the cigar. But it’s never harsh and the balance of this blend is apparent as it maintains a certain decorum at all times. After all, it’s an Avo. The Tesoro is offered at $12.00 per cigar and if you like it spicy, it’s a treat. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Davidoff Limited Edition 2008: "Reserva 12:" [Dominican Republic: available in 1 size] When Zino Davidoff introduced his Dominican-made cigars in 1990, he created a sensation with a series of mild to medium-bodied blends that were a delight to smoke and offered a clean, creamy flavor that is still easy to appreciate. |
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Did you know?
“"A woman is only a woman, but a cigar is a smoke" ~ Rudyard Kipling
