I'm not usually a Davidoff fan. While they're always well constructed and complex in flavor, they are generally too mild for those of us accustomed to fuller-bodied smokes. That said, the Davidoff Diademas Finas - made in celebration of what would have been Zino Davidoff's 100th birthday - is a spectacular success and well worth trying.
In a fit of optimism, I recently picked up a 10-count box of these from a local Davidoff shop. Afterward, but before I had tried one, I was struck with buyer's remorse. It's not that I expected to be disappointed, just underwhelmed.
Tonight I finally sparked one up. Right off the bat, this stick burned with a flavorful intensity I'm rarely able to find. At first, the flavor is mild but complex - the typical Davidoff profile - but soon the thing evolves with cream and butter flavors mixed with a healthy dose of black pepper. Over time, the cigar mellows into a chocolatey spice that reminds me of Mexican hot chocolate. The last quarter of it reminded me a well-aged Cuban Montecristo I recently had, mellow and well-blended with all the flavors working in concert.
In the end, I'm glad I bought a box. I plan on aging these for a good two years - if I can help myself - because I think these will evolve nicely into an even more mellow smoke. Obviously, as a Davidoff, they're not cheap, but this is one of the few they've recently produced that's well worth the price.
_______________________
"Live every week like it's Shark Week."
