Davidoff 100 Years Geneva Robusto (Prerelease)

In 2006, Davidoff released a three cigars created in honor of (what would have been) Zino Davidoff’s 100th birthday. All three cigars were the same blend, but in very different vitolas: a Robusto (5 x 50), a Diademas Finas (6 3/4 X 50) and a Davidoff Diademas (9 1/8 X 55).

Confusingly, there was yet another (totally separate) Davidoff 100 Years Geneva released at the IPCPR show, this time to honor Zino Davidoff’s parents arrival to Switzerland in 1911, where they opened up a tobacco shop a year later.

There are two vitolas in the newest release, a 5 x 52 Robusto and a 6 x 54 Toro. The Toro is already available at Davidoff Flagship Stores worldwide, while the Robusto (which was first given out publicly at the Davidoff Dinner at IPCPR this year) will be available in mid-September at Davidoff appointed merchants as well as Davidoff Flagship Stores and duty free stores.

Says Davidoff:

The 100th Anniversary cigar is a blend that consists exclusively of tobaccos that Davidoff obtained through cross-breeding or by further developing its own seeds that were either grown in the Dominican Republic or by a partner in Ecuador (in close cooperation with Davidoff). Five different types were used for the filler and stored between five to nine years so that they could develop their full aroma and special characteristics.

• Cigar Reviewed:Davidoff 100 Years Geneva Robusto
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: TABADOM (Davidoff Factory)
• Wrapper: Dominican Criollo wrapper from Yamasá
• Binder: San Vicente (Dominican)
• Filler: Dominican & Ecuador
• Size: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Robusto
• MSRP: $22.00 (Boxes of 10, $220.00)
• Number of Cigars Released: n/a
• Release Date: Mid September, 2011
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 1

The cigar itself is an almost perfect specimen, with a cinnamon brown wrapper that is smooth to the touch, and has a bit of oil on it. There is a pigtail on the cap of the cigar (something you don’t see much on a Davidoff, in fact, I don’t think I have ever seen one on a Davidoff before), and there is a second band (in gold on white) that reads, “Geneva 100 Since 1911”. The wrapper has a faint sweetish woody scent to it.

Right off the bat in the first third, there is a very strong musky note (as in most of Kelner’s cigars), along with some cedar and leather, and just a touch of pepper No spice present, not even on the retrohale. There is also a very distinct saltiness on the lips while smoking.

The second third has quite a bit less of that musky note (thankfully), although it is still there.The profile shifts to more of a creamy, sweetish notes, with just a hint of a tart citrus (lemon?) that fades in and out. The strength also increased a bit, enough to notice it.

The final third actually breaks out, and adds a nice dark chocolate note, along with some (long overdue) spice on the retrohale. Pretty good ending, considering the start.

Final Notes

• There are some rumors that these cigars are just banded versions of the first 100th release from 2006 (which were all unbanded), and the Robusto is the same size (5 x 52). I smoked two versions of the 2006 vitolas for this review to compare (the Robusto and the Diademas Finas) and honestly, while I suppose it is possible, to me, the two cigars have VERY different profile. The 2006 version is quite a bit sweeter, and does not have as much of that Kelner musk to it.
• The saltiness that I tasted throughout the cigar is an interesting note that I don’t come across very often. It is not a bad thing by any means, but it makes the rest of the profile very different.
• The draw was perfect, but the burn was a bit wavy. Still a wonderfully constructed cigar.
• Interestingly, there was not much smoke production in the first third, but it picked up considerably after that.
• By the end of the cigar, this was also a stronger stick than most Davidoffs I have smoked — noticeably stronger. It ended at a solid medium.
• The final smoking time was one hour and 10 minutes.