Davidoff Nicaragua

After making the bold shift from Cuban tobacco/production to the Dominican Republic in the early '90s, Davidoff focused almost entirely on Dominican tobaccos throughout their blends for more than two decades. But in 2013, the company shocked cigar enthusiasts, diving head-on into the realm of Nicaraguan tobacco with the aptly named Davidoff Nicaragua.

Not only are the tobaccos more in line with the fuller-bodied tastes of the contemporary hobbyist, but the presentation and cost follow in tandem, boasting a black rendition of the iconic Davidoff label and prices that are more approachable for everyday cigar enthusiasts. Priding themselves on the world-renowned craftsmanship of the Cigars Davidoff factory in the DR, the Davidoff Nicaragua cigar was not entrusted to a third-party Nicaraguan manufacturer. Instead, Davidoff sourced all-Nicaraguan tobaccos and rolled the cigars right alongside their White Label siblings. The recipe includes a Nicaraguan Habano rosado wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder from the Jalapa growing region, and all-Nicaraguan fillers. This makes for a hearty blend with a (not-so) surprising level of balance, sinking into the palate with notes of sweet earth, zesty pepper, espresso, and bittersweet cocoa.