Davidoff has begun releasing a Small Batch series consisting of nine cigars released in small quantities. Each Small Batch bundle denotes the cigar's composition, roller, and the bundle number out of total production. Every Small Batch release will consist of different blends, production quantities, and for the most part sizes.
We'll be updating this chart once the final Davidoff Small Batch #16 is released. Here is a quick breakdown of my experience so far with numbers 1-12:
Davidoff Small Batch from left to right: #1, #2, #3, #4, #7, #8, #11, #12
Davidoff Small Batch #1 Review
Size: Robusto (5 1/2 x 52)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Hay, Brown Sugar, Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, Arabic Coffee, Chocolate
My first love, this medium-bodied Robusto was a highly rewarding cigar that leaned towards the sweeter side of the flavor wheel. Pepper seemed absent at first, but creeps in sometime after the first ashfall and changed the nuanced tasting notes altogether. This was a very complex cigar both in terms of quantifiable flavors and transitions, and I had to stop writing notes towards the midway point because there's only so much room on paper. Also, a quick glance at my water glass to the side shows that I've barely reached for it this entire time.
Davidoff Small Batch #2 Review
Size: Toro (6 x 54)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Aromatic Cedar, Leather, Mineral, Star Anise, Floral, Chocolate Chip Cookies
While this one didn't win out in terms of first impressions, I find myself considering the prominent Star Anise notes more and more after I've burned through both of my samples. I found that the #2 dried my palate in a way that the first one didn't, but it won't be enough to keep me from revisiting this cigar again soon. There are additional exotic spices present in the #2 that I couldn't quite pin down and will probably drive me crazy if I don't try again with follow-up rounds. This Toro presented itself as milder in body than most of the Small Batch series, but ended up providing a medium nicotine strength in the end.
Davidoff Small Batch #3 Review
Size: Robusto (5 1/2 x 50)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Cedar, Cream, Vegetal, Baking Spices, Nuts, Mild Pepper
This Connecticut-shade wrapped cigar (based on my eyes, smell, and taste) is exactly what you’d expect from an old-school Connecticut. It’s buttery smooth, delicate and delightful to retro hale, and tastes practically fresh like spring time. The epitome of a breakfast cigar, #3 embodies the spirit and finesse of a Connecticut stick with all the class and enthusiasm that you’d expect from Davidoff.
Davidoff Small Batch #4 Review
Size: Robusto Extra (5 1/2 x 52)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Vanilla Malt, Floral, Hay, Cocoa, Leather, Pralines, Peppercorn
After such a strong showing from the Small Batch #1, I was completely shocked to fall for the #4 as hard as I did. Early on, the Vanilla Malt and Floral flavors combine to form a milk shake of flavors that I couldn’t get enough of. Then, Cocoa, Leather, and Pralines lead the rest of the experience for a second and third act that’s every bit as impressive as the first. Throughout, I’d experience the taste of peppercorn without any of the spice associated with it. It’s a shame that so few of these were produced, because the #4 is truly something special!
Davidoff Small Batch #7 Review
Size: Toro Gordo (6 x 55)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Hay, Dark Chocolate, Leather, Pepper, Citrus, Star Anise
The largest ring gauge of the Small Batch series, #7 began with a heavy dose of the signature Davidoff Hay balanced by hints of Dark Chocolate, Leather, and lingering Pepper with a finish of espresso. This lingering spice coupled with the espresso on my palate was a pleasant turn from the sweeter profiles of the previous cigars that I've sampled, and provided a neat contrast to the series overall. Then, just when you think you've got this cigar figured out, hints of star anise and citrusy components introduced themselves to flip the script. If some of the cigars above sounded like dessert smokes, #7 would be what I'd consider a dinner cigar. This cigar has now become a favorite at our Maxamar Ultimate Cigars lounge!
Davidoff Small Batch #8 Review
Size: Corona Extra (5 1/2 x 46)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Cedar, Flower Stems, Nutmeg, Graham Cracker, Cinnamon, Caramel
Buttery smooth and absolutely mouthwatering, this cigar initially coupled a vegetal, broken flower stem sensation with warm baking spices in a way that made me instantly think of both fall and spring. Throw in an amazing retro hale experience and you’ve got a winner through and through. Although the #8 was the thinnest ring gauge of the bunch, I found that the overall intensity barely reached medium and my palate felt fresh moments after I laid it down.
Davidoff Small Batch #11 Review
Size: Robusto Extra (5 1/2 x 52)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Bread, Hay, Pepper, Nougat, Toast, Lemongrass, Milk Chocolate
The Small Batch #11 reminds me much of #2 in that it’s milder overall than I would expect for such a dark wrapper. We all know that doesn’t mean much, but it still caught me off guard. The beauty of this cigar is in the retro hale, and sometimes exclusively so. In fact, this cigar practically begs to be retro haled. Every time my mind started to drift out of a sense of complacency with #11, a retro hale would snap me right back into the game with an immediate smile. This cigar also refused to get hot, even when I was puffing on it like my life depended on it. Once you get a taste of that retro hale, you keep coming back for more so often that most cigars would turn bitter - but this particular Small Batch release refused to give in to such temptations and remained cool throughout.
Davidoff Small Batch #12 Review
Size: Belicoso (6 x 52)
Tasting Notes by Precedent: Pepper, Wood, Toast, Nuts, Affogato, Hay
Each time I lit up the #12, I’d swear that I was smoking a Padron instead of Davidoff. Even though the tobaccos used couldn’t be further from each other, the initial blast of Pepper and Wood from this Connecticut-shade felt so Padronian that I would find myself staring at it in disbelief. There was an intensity in both the mouth feel and retro hale that I’ve really come to appreciate in this cigar, and it felt more and more like a masterpiece in expectation versus delivery, a delightfully ironic experience. Despite what I expected from this cigar, I found it to be very spicy and savory with brief reprieves of an Affogato-like, bitter and sweet interlude that increased in frequency. By the last third, the profile completely flip-flopped with the Affogato sensation taking a leading role. Using our meal analogy from above, this is most assuredly an after dinner smoke.
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