Davidoff of Geneva is a brand that I would venture to say most cigar smokers are more than aware of. Davidoff has been a major player in the premium cigar industry for over half a century. Well known are their white bands and cursive gold lettering. The Davidoff name has become synonymous with luxury, and the Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021 is most certainly no exception.

The Chefs Edition series from Davidoff was launched back in 2016 as an offshoot from their Gastronomique tour, which featured meals created by famous chefs to uniquely pair and compliment their cigars. The success of this concept led to the incorporation of renowned Michelin-starred chefs working in collaboration with Davidoff on the unique Chefs Edition brand. The first release was limited to 1,500 boxes of 10 cigars and sold out quickly. The same blend was released again in 2017, though the quantities were increased to 25,000 cigars (again selling out with great speed). Twenty eighteen was a special year for the Chefs Edition, as it also coincided with Davidoff’s 50th anniversary; as such, a new blend was created and a special anniversary band was applied to the cigars. All three releases were in the same 6″ x 54 parejo vitola, with only the blend changing on the 2018 release. After 2018, fans of the brand have had to wait three years for the next Chefs Edition release, which saw its debut in 2021.

Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021 Breakdown

  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Hybrid 238)
  • Binder: Mexico (San Andrés Negro Seco)
  • Filler: Dominican Republic (Hybrid 192 Seco | Piloto Seco | Piloto Viso | San Vicente Ligero)
  • Factory: Cigars Davidoff (Dominican Republic)
  • Production: Limited Edition (9,700 boxes of 10 cigars)
  • Vitola: 7″ × 48 (Churchill)
  • Price: $39.00 (MSRP)

This most recent edition is rolled in a 7″ x 48 Churchill size and packaged in a 10-count box. This box is a thing of beauty. The lid is a solid wood serving tray with grooves routed out for two glasses, as well as three Chefs Edition cigars to be placed (pre-lit, of course). The main portion of the box isn’t actually a box at all, but a white ceramic ashtray with four perfectly sized notches to rest the Chefs Edition cigars. Now, I’m not one for gimmicky packaging, but this box set is well made and purpose driven. I could see myself bringing out the display when company was over to enjoy a couple of these cigars with a neat pour of bourbon.

Appearance

The Chefs Edition 2021 is exactly what I would expect from a company as reputable as Davidoff. Picking up the cigar, I notice the heft this Churchill has right off the bat. It has an authoritative weight that says this cigar is fully packed and not under-filled. The barrel of the cigar yields to the pressure of my thumb and index finger, while remaining firm. It’s a feeling I have come to know as that of an expertly rolled cigar. We shall see. The seams are placed in a tight, even fashion, being almost unnoticeable with a quick glance.

  • Atlantic Cigar Sale

Moving to the look of the cigar itself, an ever-so-slight tooth is present on the wrapper. It is slick and smooth, giving an oily appearance, yet there is little to no oil on its surface. Veins in the tobacco are present throughout, but do not disrupt the look of the cigar or create any unevenness. The overall color is a consistent milk chocolate—a wonderful accent to the classic white Davidoff band. This cigar looks elegant, and I’m looking forward to smoking it.

Starting with the foot of the cigar, I inhale deeply and I’m met with woody cedar and black pepper. The cedar isn’t bright, moreso, it’s the smell of rough-sawed cedar boards (like you’d use for the common backyard fence). Moving to the wrapper, the same cedar and black pepper notes are present, but joining them is a light manure aroma. While pleasant (manure and all), the notes are definitely light and somewhat fleeting. With a straight cut, the pre-light draw offers a raisiny sweetness and bright black pepper, hitting my palate alongside a wet, woody note that I can’t attribute to the previous cedar aromas. The draw itself is an acceptable 7/10, though I would like to see it improve, as it is a little more snug that I prefer.

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Smoking Experience

Giving the cigar a good toast and light, the first flavors I’m met with are not too dissimilar to the pre-light flavors. Unsweetened cream and dry cedar are immediately noticeable, as well as raw Spanish peanuts. The retrohale amplifies these flavors to a medium body, being smooth without any black pepper. The draw is still slightly firmer than ideal, and the smoke output is light and wispy.

Moving past first light and into the body of the cigar, lots of woody cedar notes are present, as well as a malty funk reminiscent of a good Highland Scotch. On the retrohale, a slightly stingy Thai chili pepper note zings my sinuses, along with more cedar. The draw itself has opened, and is now at a solid 8/10. The increase in airflow is very noticeable in the smoke output, seen on both the draw and foot of the cigar as well.

Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021 cigar smoking

The Chefs Edition is proving to be a very slow-burning smoke. I am now passing the midpoint of the cigar, and I am already an hour and five minutes in. This is definitely not a negative—I appreciate a long burn time on a cigar of this price point. The flavors I’m experiencing are transitioning into a deeper profile. Flat white coffee is now clearly present, as well as a yeasty whole wheat pancake flavor. I’d say that it has a breakfast tone if it wasn’t for the black pepper on the finish and retrohale, which gives the cigar an almost rough finish. The draw has maintained at an 8/10, and the ash has fallen in solid one-inch chunks.

Popping the bands off easily as the burn approaches, smoke still rolls steadily from the foot of the cigar. Taking a moment to think about how I would describe the cigar’s smoking experience, I settled on one word: complex. Transitions abound in this cigar, and I am now enjoying notes of dark-roast coffee and, for the first time in the cigar, a bittersweet chocolate component. If you ever stole a handful of chocolate chips from the kitchen pantry, then you know the flavor I’m talking about. Mix with that a burnt caramel corn and dull cedar note and you’ve got a very complex flavor profile. The burn has stayed nice and even, and no relights have been required. The draw is still holding great at 8/10, with the strength at medium and body at a medium-plus.

Taking the closing puffs of the Chefs Edition, I find that the flavors have smoothed out. A sautéed, buttered mushroom flavor paired with light ground peppercorn leaves me with a solid finishing experience. I was happy to find that I did not need to touch-up or relight the cigar through the entire smoke, and that the draw opened up to allow for maximum flavor.

Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021 cigar ash

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?

That is a complicated question. While I absolutely love complex cigars and long burn times, the flavors that I got off of the Chefs Edition—as well as how they layered—were not always my favorite. If you combine that with the price point, I would have to lean towards not actively seeking this cigar out. Now, before you get all riled up, understand that this is not an attack on this cigar. It is an acknowledgement that the notes I got from this cigar did not suit my palate, but were not in any way bad. I would smoke this cigar again if the opportunity arose, and I would enjoy it, but if you put it in a humidor alongside a larger selection of Davidoff cigars, I would probably select something more along the lines of Yamasá, Nicaragua, or Late Hour. The Chefs Edition burned almost flawlessly, and the flavors were complex and distinct; they just aren’t a profile that I would actively seek out.


Profile
  • Flavor: Medium / Full
  • Strength: Medium
  • Body: Medium
Core Flavors
  • Cedar
  • Peppercorn
  • Dark-roast coffee
  • Baking chocolate
  • Burnt caramel corn
Tips
  • Smoke Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
  • Pairing Recommendation: Flat white coffee | Highland Scotch | Old fashioned | Craft root beer
  • Purchase Recommendation: Purchase a single or two and see if they are your jam before making the box-purchase jump

Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021 cigar nub finished

Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021
The Davidoff Chefs Edition 2021 is the fourth release in this series, featuring the collaboration of Michelin-starred Chefs from around the world in the blending process. The 2021 edition showcases a new blend and size, as well as impressive upscale packaging. Despite an initial snug draw, the cigar begins with an enjoyable, creamy smoke. Transitions abound, including unique flavors of raw Spanish peanuts, malty funk, and a Highland Scotch similarity. The smoke doesn't let up into the final moments, offering a long burn time and a maintenance-free experience throughout.
Appearance91%
Burn/Construction90%
Draw89%
Flavor90%
Complexity93%
Price/Value87%
Pros
  • Complex flavor combinations
  • Easily distinguished flavors
  • Balanced strength and body
Cons
  • Draw started snug
  • Cedar notes are not always smooth
  • Pepper stomps on other flavors at times
90%4-Course Complexity
  • Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
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