Connoisseur’s Corner: Davidoff Château Margaux (circa 1988)
Taking one of these petit coronas out of its wooden cabinet and slicing off the cap is like uncorking a fine wine aged for decades. And I suppose that was the point, as cigar icon Zino Davidoff named this Cuban series after the finest Bordeaux houses in France. Cuban Davidoffs have been discontinued since the early 1990s and today, they’re prized by collectors no matter the condition. The cold aroma alone on this particular petit corona wasn’t enough to tell me how it had aged. Naturally, it smelled woody, and first puffs were equally woody. Surprisingly briny too, like fresh oyster liquor. After a half inch, the cigar opened up to a smoke of nutmeg, caramel, roasted chestnut and cinnamon. Each note had its say in procession before coming together in splendid harmony. —Gregory Mottola
The Maestro was named Cigar of the Year in 2019, so naturally, we return to see how this box-pressed torpedo is aging. Its bold blend of Nicaraguan tobacco is still quite strong, but flavors have sweetened over time. An espresso quality becomes creamier like a cappuccino. Vanilla, graham cracker and chocolate all come together like a s’mores. —Gregory Mottola
A robusto that delivers from first puff to last. Nougat, pecan, graham cracker and wood notes dance on the palate, delivered via a picture-perfect draw and a dead-even burn. This Cuban is opulent, delightfully balanced and goes on and on with a very long finish. A tremendous finger burner that will have you peeling off each band with a smile. —David Savona
This is a Cuban Regional Edition cigar made exclusively for Mexico, the only country that ever sold the Edmundo Dantes brand. Chunky and dark with a crooked tip, this bold figurado starts with a heavy minerality. Later, it takes on notes of red meat and BBQ smoke. It’s strong, a touch rough around the edges, and simply not in the same league as the Edmundo Dantes El Conde 109—but few cigars are. —David Savona
