Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is a medium brown with some darker marbling. There are a few decent sized veins providing ridges on the wrapper. The seams are easily visible due to the marbling, but they are smooth. The caps are easily visible on the long tapered head. It almost reminds me of a witches hat without the brim. The cigar has two bands, the primary is the standard black Davidoff band for this series. The second is a red band with black borders that reads Yamasa in the same silver lettering as the primary band. The aroma from the wrapper is a pungent barnyard and leather. The foot is fairly sweet. It doesn’t hit you right up front, but shortly after you take a whiff. The pre-light draw is a pretty sweet hay. There is a slight spice on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Davidoff Yamasa Piramides has a dull medium brown wrapper. The wrapper’s consistency is of a finely graded sandpaper. Veins are well pressed and seams fairly invisible. Bunching and rolling feels on point as there is a nice and even give to the entire cigar. The sharp and long torpedo head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. Pre-light wrapper aroma tells fresh and pungent barnyard, cedar and white pepper spice. Foot aroma provides intense white pepper spice, coffee and sweet hay. Cold draw gives white pepper spice and salt on the tongue and lips, hay and slight wood bitterness.

First Third

Initial draws bring a slightly sweet and spicy cedar. After a few draws, the profile transitions to general woodiness with some mustiness. The retrohale does maintain a slightly spicy cedar. A half inch in and a fair amount of creaminess joins the wood and mustiness. The retrohale transitions from cedar to general wood and mustiness. At an inch in, the creaminess dials back a bit but is still there in the background. Nearing the end of the third, the wood becomes more defined as a slightly charred oak. There is still some mustiness in the background and the cream has become a bit fuller. The strength was mild-medium.

First Third

The immediate flavors recognized is the quintessential Davidoff hay mixed with a rich, tongue sticking white pepper spice. On the second tier of flavors, oak, bread and slight sweetness. There is also a nice wood bitterness and intermittent sour citrus coming through. On the retrohale, deep and rich white pepper spice, sharp cedar and bread. The finish lingers with the same rich white pepper on the rear palate, bread and dried roasted nuts. The body and strength is both at a solid medium throughout the entire first thirds smoking experience.

Second Third

As this third begins, the char on the oak and the mustiness slightly increases. There is still some creaminess in the background. The retrohale is a very full, slightly toasted oak. A quarter inch in and a faint sweetness joins the profile. At half an inch in, there are pockets of slightly different wood characters that come in and out on each draw. Three quarters of an inch in, the creaminess ramps up again while the oak still carries a very slight char. The mustiness is very faintly present at this point. The retrohale now consists of wood, cream, mustiness and a slight minerality. An inch in and the profile tones down to just the slightly charred oak. The retrohale is also oak with a little bit of baking spice to it. As the third comes to a close, the creaminess comes back to mix with the charred oak. The retrohale is also charred oak but with a little minerality. The strength in this third is slightly below medium.

Second Third

The second thirds profile is intensified in the sense of flavors and strength. The strength quickly ramps up to a medium plus, providing a relaxing nicotine buzz. The white pepper spice is noticeably fuller, layering my entire palate. Further, there is a nice sweet cream pairing quite well with the bread note. The oak and wood bitterness continues to provide a good depth to the overall profile. Through the nose, still a deep and rich white pepper spice, sharp cedar and bread. The finish continues to linger with rich white pepper spice on the rear palate, followed by oak and dried roasted nuts. The body continues to be at a solid medium.

Final Third

As this third begins, it’s a continuation from the previous third of charred oak. The creaminess has gone away. A quarter inch in and the char increases along with some bitterness that joins the profile. A half inch in, the char and bitterness go away and just oak remains. The retrohale is also just oak. The cigar finishes with this same profile of just oak. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Final Third

The last third, for the most part, mimics the second third. Still providing medium full strength and medium body notes of rich white pepper spice, coffee, oak, wood bitterness, bread and slight sweet cream. Towards the second half of the last third, the bread note deepens, providing a delicious creamy, yeasty bread.

Burn

The burn line was a little wavy, but never anything that got out of reach of of staying on line. The ash held on in one and a half in increments.

Burn

The burn was very good. Total burn time was an impressive 175 minutes. The cigar burned cool all the way to the last draw. The ash was a fairly sturdy dirty white, averaging 1.5 inch increments.

Draw

The draw was just slightly tighter than I prefer, but nothing that caused any issue with getting lots of smoke on each draw.

Overall

This was a very nice cigar. The flavors that began in the first third were really good with some nice transitions. The second third became even fuller with flavors and complexity. The final third became a bit linear, but the flavors were still good. The cigar really kept my attention the entire way. Couple that with really good performance and this is a winner. The strength level really keeps this accessible to most smokers, so I would recommend that people give it a try. The price point might be a bit daunting, but I still think that it is worth a shot to see if you want to grab some for occasional enjoyment.

Draw

The draw was perfection. The aggressive pointed torpedo head caused no issues, allowing me to taste every nuance of the cigar.

Overall

Davidoff has yet another winner under their belt. In a way, this is what I expect out of Davidoff with their newly badged and blended cigar. A cigar that pays homage to their existing lines in the sense of the quintessential hay note. But also one that caters to the wildly popular stronger cigars, especially coming out of Nicaragua. This is a must try for especially experienced smokers given its increased strength and nuances. Well done!

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

8.00

Cost/Point

$2.88

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

8.20

Cost/Point

$2.80

Scoring System