Davidoff Year Of The Tiger Cigar Review

Let’s review the Davidoff Year of the Tiger cigar! This was a limited edition release celebrating the Chinese New Year.

This release follows the previous Chinese Zodiac release, the Year of the Snake. Dominican Piloto (Seco and Viso), San Vicente Ligero, and Nicaraguan Estel Seco fillers are used, as well as a Dominican San Vicente Seco binder and an Ecuadorian Habano Claro wrapper.

These are sold in boxes of ten, with just 9000 boxes available worldwide. The retail price is above $40 per stick, which is more than previous years (the Year of the Monkey was in the mid-high $30s), but lower than last year’s Year of the Rooster (a Diadema that went for $42+). With local tobacco taxes taken into consideration, those prices mirror what we’ve seen the cigars sell for… Some places may be less expensive (due to reduced taxes or a decision to stick to MSRP pricing), while others may be more expensive (lots of states out there with higher tobacco tax rates).

Pre-light

The Year of the Dog box, like prior years’ releases, is beautiful and almost extravagant. It’s a complex blend of wood grain and lacquered surfaces, with red and gold prominently featured (good luck colors culture). The design features unusual, eye-catching angles that make you think the box could double as a humidor.

The wrapper for the Year of the Dog was a milk chocolate brown tint. It smelled like a combination of soil, cedar, and grass. The cigar’s foot had a little more earth and grassiness, as well as a hint of spiciness.

Tasting Notes

The first few puffs had a luscious, dark fruit sweetness on the palate, with minor flavors of cedar and hay, as well as a tiny pepper burn. The retrohale was hazelnut, with a peppery undertone. After around 10 minutes, we noticed some intriguing salty overtones in the mix. The flavor profile also picked up some leathery overtones toward the conclusion of the first third.

The second third developed with leathery notes at the forefront, earth and cedar in the background, and salty and sweet tastes continuing to provide a robust undercurrent of complexity. In the latter third, earthiness took center stage, pushing leathery notes down to mingle with the cedar.

Cost

The cigar is pricey. However, flawless execution and a wonderful flavor profile helped to offset the exorbitant price tag. However, the price point is definitely “special occasion only.” Throughout the review, however, the cigar offered nothing but amazing flavors.

In a medium-to-full-bodied cigar, the Year of the Dog was a masterclass in intricacy. In terms of overall flavor profile and level of experience, it’s a step up from the Year of the Rooster and sits comfortably alongside the Year of the Monkey. This isn’t a cheap cigar by any means, but it’s worth considering for Chinese New Year celebrations or any other occasion when you want to live largely.

About Cigar Country

Located in the heart of the Dominican Republic’s tourist region (halfway between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo), our Megastore in La Romana is by far the largest premium cigar store in the Caribbean. Our 2,000+ square feet humidor features the finest handmade Dominican cigars from the most respected manufacturers in the world. Cigar Country’s Experts will guide you through the VegaFina cigar-making experience and assist you in choosing the right cigar for you. Whether it’s for your personal consumption or gifting, we have the widest selection you will ever find at the best DUTY FREE prices. You will feel at home in our cozy lounging areas and notoriously friendly staff. Hope to have you visit soon. You can also call, chat, or email to contact Cigar Country!