Vitola: Perfecto- 6.125” x 53 ring gauge
- MSRP $32
- Purchased from Burns Tobacconist
Background
The looming threat of FDA regulation has scared even the largest cigar companies into slowing or stopping the release of new products. These larger, older companies tend to have quite a few older projects in the portfolio, though, that they can re-release and justly claim they are “grandfathered” product because they originally came out long before the deadline for those products. Such seems to be the case with the Davidoff Special 53 Capa Dominicana.
Special 53 was first released in 2002 and gets its name from the 53 ring gauge size. It is crafted completely from tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, which was quite a feat in 2002 “when growing the refined wrapper leaves in the Dominican Republic was deemed impossible.” They re-released it in 2020 as a limited edition, available in boxes of 10 cigars. It uses San Vicente Seco, Piloto Cubano Ligero, and Olor Seco for filler, San Vicente Seco for a binder, and a Dominican wrapper.
After smoking one of these on the day they arrived at Burns Tobacconist, I opted to just buy a whole box, some of which were for review now, and some of which are destined to be reviewed as “aged cigars” in years to come. I have smoked three samples before this review sample. If you don’t have a favorite Davidoff Appointed Merchant, you can buy these from Small Batch Cigar, a Leaf Enthusiast sponsor.
Prelight
What is there left to say about Davidoff’s presentation? They are master of subtle elegance with plain wood boxes and white bands adorned with gold foil. If you’re not impressed by their marketing efforts, you might need to just check yourself into a clinic that specializes in rehabbing people who think Gurkha’s marketing efforts are just amazing.
The wrapper leaf of the Special 53 was a milk-to-dark chocolate brown color with a very oily feel to it and an aroma mixing earth and leather and a bit of a mineral note. The foot really didn’t smell any differently because there really is no foot with the cigar tapering to a barely there perfecto tip that wasn’t quite a point.
Despite the very narrow tip, after I clipping the cigar with my trusty Xikar Xi, there was an excellent cold draw that had flavors of citrus, white pepper, wood, and Davidoff’s signature “funk.”
Flavor
It took just seconds to light up the almost-point of the foot, whereupon the Davidoff Special 53 started delivering plenty of smoke right away. It carries flavors of grass, earth, cedar, and funk, with a touch of pepper on the finish. The retrohale had more wood, along with some nuttiness and a stronger pepper component.
As I got into the second third, I picked up some citrus notes and noted that the smoke was in the medium-bodied range. There was a continued woody presence and enough funk to remind you it was a Davidoff. The pepper moderated a bit on both palate and nose.
The Davidoff funk was diminished in the last third, while I got more citrus and woody notes. Pepper remained a mild burn at the back of the throat and there was more grassiness in the mix.
Construction
As you would expect from a Davidoff and a cigar costing over $30, construction was perfect.
Value
Based on the experience delivered and the immaculate construction stick after stick, I’m calling this one worth the money.
Conclusions
The Davidoff Special 53 delivered on the promise of a premium experience, even for a Davidoff. It was rich and complex, tasty from end to end. That said, it wasn’t the best Davidoff I’ve had this year…I smoked a Kizuna from the Vault series earlier this week…but it was excellent and I’m betting they get even better with a little age. Hopefully I can sit on some off them long enough to see.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10