4. Davidoff Year of the Dog Limited Edition 2018 (Packaging Awards 2017)

When Davidoff wants to go all out on a cigar box, they don’t really hold back. For six years now, they have been releasing the Zodiac Series, featuring the Chinese zodiac symbol for that year in a red-themed ensemble that not only includes an immaculate box for the cigars, but some exquisite matching accessories as well.

This year, the Year of the Dog, the box and bands don’t disappoint, with the same red, high-gloss lacquer box finish while this year featuring some tasteful angles to the lid that give your eye something a little different to look at than a plain, evenly cut box lid.

And yes, while the red labrador-looking dog silhouette does slightly remind you of Clifford the Big Red Dog, that doesn’t detract from what is a beautiful packaging display. — Brian Burt.