Davidoff Limited Edition Year of the Ox

DAVIDOFF OF GENEVA USA

• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Cigars Davidoff
• Wrapper: Dominican Republic
• Binder: Ecuador (Sumatra)
• Filler: Dominican Republic (Piloto, San Vicente Mejorado & Yamasá) & Nicaragua (Condega & Estelí)
• Length: 6 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 60
• Vitola: Gordo
• MSRP: $40 (Box of 10, $400)
• Release Date: November 2020
• Number of Cigars Released: 13,500 Boxes of 10 Cigars (135,000 Total Cigars)
• Original Score: 92

Davidoff’s cigars are no stranger to our Top 25 list, but the Davidoff Zodiac Series has somehow eluded making the list all but one year. For a series that has been so prolific in the packaging awards, it strikes an interesting contrast. That’s not to say the Zodiac Series cigars aren’t good, more so that the packaging designs are exquisite. With the Davidoff Limited Edition 2021 Year of the Ox, however, form and function are on equal grounds.

The Davidoff Zodiac Series started off quietly, with a small release for the Asian market back in 2011 of the Cuvée Selection 2012 Year of the Dragon. The next year, 2012, saw the series redesigned and released internationally with the Limited Edition 2013 Year of the Snake. Since then, each year Davidoff has fashioned each release with the upcoming year’s Chinese zodiac calendar symbol.

With the Year of the Ox release, it was the second time a 6 x 60 gordo size was used. The other time—the 2014 Year of the Horse—was a Dominican puro, while the Year of the Ox is a blend of seven different varietals of tobacco from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Nicaragua. This combination produces a smorgasbord of flavors ranging from earthy to floral, nutty to sweet, and creamy to peppery. Somehow, all these contrasting flavors work together at different points in the cigar to create quite an enjoyable profile, landing it at #5 on our list. — Brian Burt.