Pre-light Experience

The cigar is firm in hand and has a nice give to the touch. The wrapper is applied very well and the same goes for the cap. There are some medium sized veins present throughout the wrapper and it has a nice texture that is oily with some tooth present. The wrapper itself is quite dark in coloring and it has this maduro natural like color, very dark chocolate brown or an oily coffee bean. The foot is giving off a soft aroma of tobacco, hay, manure and spices while the wrapper is showing some earthy, wood and manure like notes. The cold draw is easy and it is delivering those wood, earth and tobacco flavors.

First Third

The first third opens up with some lovely pepper spice notes. I am getting touches of red and white pepper and it has this cinnamon quality present as well. There is some lemon zest present and it has a nice cedar and grassy hay flavor profile present also. There is a touch of graham cracker, tobacco and earth present on the finish and it is a complex and flavorful blend. I would classify the cigar as being medium-full overall, and that goes for body, strength and flavors. The construction is perfect and in many ways the first third is perfect.

Second Third

I am in the second third of the cigar now and there has been some transitioning from the first third and a change in flavors being delivered. It still has that peppery spice to it though it has more of a punch now and it is showing some black and red pepper notes. I am picking up that lemon zest as well and it is paired with some nice woody cedar notes with some strong tobacco flavors. There are some dry earth notes on the finish and it is a complex blend. I would say it is at a full level in my opinion, and that goes for flavors, body and strength The construction remains top notch as well and it is smoking great in this third like it did in the first.

Final Third

I am in the final third of the cigar now and finding once again that there has been transitioning with the flavors. I am picking up a great bit of spice notes, all black pepper flavors now and they are paired with dry earth, strong tobacco and leather notes. There is a faint grassy and cream like finish, but very faint and just enough to take some of the strong and powerful flavors down a notch. The finish is definitely on the fuller side of things, similar to that of the second third and like the first and second third the construction is fantastic.

Burn

From beginning to end, the cigar smoked wonderfully. The burn line was never more than a little wavy and for the most part nearly perfect. The ash was holding on firmly throughout, only came off when tapped off and the ash had this solid charcoal coloring to it. It smoked cool from beginning to end and was a very well made cigar.

Draw

With the construction being fantastic, the draw was perfect from start to completion and the draw was always cool. Nice smoke production throughout and you could ask for no more from a cigar.

Overall

Davidoff always delivers a solid cigar. I may not care for a flavor profile delivered, but it is hard to find fault with what they release to the market. With that being said, there are times when they deliver something very special. That is the case with this cigar. While it is pricey, there are many outstanding qualities that justify the price tag. There is depth from start to finish, transitioning throughout and it never lacked the complexity that you expect from an ultra-premium cigar. The balance between the flavors is fantastic and the changing pepper and spice notes is simply great. A special occasion cigar, this is one that everyone should try at least once. Save up for it if you must, put aside buying a couple $10 smokes and buy this. You will not be disappointed, actually the complete opposite. Well done, Davidoff.

Seth Geise

SCORE

9.55

Cost/Point

$3.66

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Davidoff The Master Selection 2013