enerjay
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1985 Davidoff 5000 - 5 5/8", 46 ring gauge
The Davidoff story is well known, but bears reflection.
From a small shop in Geneva, he became a worldwide force in cigars in the period after World War II. Because Switzerland was neutral, he was able to continue his trade in cigars and his contacts throughout Europe with energetic smokers who had little access to cigars between 1939-45 made him a star.
He teamed with the Swiss distributor of Havana cigars, A. Durr Co., in 1946 to introduce a Davidoff-endorsed series of the Hoyo de Monterrey line, made by Fernandez, Palicio y Cia. in Havana. Without any license in those less legalistic days, he created five sizes of cigars named after famous Bordeaux wineries: Chateau Margeaux, Chateau Latour, Chateau Lafite, Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Yquem.
%%pagebreak%% The combination of excellent quality, subtle taste and the glossy reference to five of France’s most respected winemakers helped make the Chateau series a sensation and Davidoff cigars – offered in all-cedar cabinets without bands – became the standard by which all others were measured.
Twenty-one years later in 1967, the Cubans created the Davidoff brand as a stand-alone, without reference to Hoyo and now made in the El Laguito factory, which opened a year earlier. Now the line was expanded to include the No. 1, No. 2 and Ambassadrice sizes. But the big changes were yet to come.
In 1970, Davidoff sold his store and company name to Ernst Schneider’s Oettinger Group. This was the beginning of the transformation of the Davidoff name from a store and a cigar brand into a worldwide symbol of luxury. Oettinger began opening Davidoff boutiques worldwide, in Hong Kong in 1974, the famous London shop in 1982 and the U.S. flagship in New York at 535 Madison Avenue in 1987.
The Dom Perignon model, named for the famed champagne, appeared in 1977 and the “Mille” series of mild blends appeared about the same time. Bands appeared on Davidoff cigars in 1980. Davidoff cigarettes were introduced in 1985 and a Davidoff fragrance was created the same year.
In 1986, Davidoff’s 80th birthday was celebrated with the release of a special 80 Aniversario cigar, a mild but big 9 1/4-inch by 47-ring Gran Corona.
For cigar lovers, the big changes came in 1989. After complaining about a lack of quality in Cuban cigar production, Davidoff burned 130,000 cigars in a public bonfire on August 23. About a year later, Oettinger had moved the Davidoff operation out of Cuba and relocated it to Santiago, Dominican Republic and created a new series of Davidoff cigars, available everywhere in the world, including the United States.
Taken from: Cigar Cyclopedia.
The review.
What can really be said about this moment. 39 years old today, smoking a 1985 cuban Davidoff 5000 cigar.
The Flavor is nothing I have ever come across before, smooth and creamy, hints of coco and honey.
First 1/3 of this cigar, all way to the half way point had no change in burn of flavor. Flawless.
At the Half way point the flavor started to shift but I can not explain what I taste. (Wilkey I need you pallet).
I am going to say this cigar starts to take on a true Cuban profile.
Great cigar, to say the least.
Special thanks to Moki.
The Davidoff story is well known, but bears reflection.
From a small shop in Geneva, he became a worldwide force in cigars in the period after World War II. Because Switzerland was neutral, he was able to continue his trade in cigars and his contacts throughout Europe with energetic smokers who had little access to cigars between 1939-45 made him a star.
He teamed with the Swiss distributor of Havana cigars, A. Durr Co., in 1946 to introduce a Davidoff-endorsed series of the Hoyo de Monterrey line, made by Fernandez, Palicio y Cia. in Havana. Without any license in those less legalistic days, he created five sizes of cigars named after famous Bordeaux wineries: Chateau Margeaux, Chateau Latour, Chateau Lafite, Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Yquem.
%%pagebreak%% The combination of excellent quality, subtle taste and the glossy reference to five of France’s most respected winemakers helped make the Chateau series a sensation and Davidoff cigars – offered in all-cedar cabinets without bands – became the standard by which all others were measured.
Twenty-one years later in 1967, the Cubans created the Davidoff brand as a stand-alone, without reference to Hoyo and now made in the El Laguito factory, which opened a year earlier. Now the line was expanded to include the No. 1, No. 2 and Ambassadrice sizes. But the big changes were yet to come.
In 1970, Davidoff sold his store and company name to Ernst Schneider’s Oettinger Group. This was the beginning of the transformation of the Davidoff name from a store and a cigar brand into a worldwide symbol of luxury. Oettinger began opening Davidoff boutiques worldwide, in Hong Kong in 1974, the famous London shop in 1982 and the U.S. flagship in New York at 535 Madison Avenue in 1987.
The Dom Perignon model, named for the famed champagne, appeared in 1977 and the “Mille” series of mild blends appeared about the same time. Bands appeared on Davidoff cigars in 1980. Davidoff cigarettes were introduced in 1985 and a Davidoff fragrance was created the same year.
In 1986, Davidoff’s 80th birthday was celebrated with the release of a special 80 Aniversario cigar, a mild but big 9 1/4-inch by 47-ring Gran Corona.
For cigar lovers, the big changes came in 1989. After complaining about a lack of quality in Cuban cigar production, Davidoff burned 130,000 cigars in a public bonfire on August 23. About a year later, Oettinger had moved the Davidoff operation out of Cuba and relocated it to Santiago, Dominican Republic and created a new series of Davidoff cigars, available everywhere in the world, including the United States.
Taken from: Cigar Cyclopedia.
The review.
What can really be said about this moment. 39 years old today, smoking a 1985 cuban Davidoff 5000 cigar.
The Flavor is nothing I have ever come across before, smooth and creamy, hints of coco and honey.
First 1/3 of this cigar, all way to the half way point had no change in burn of flavor. Flawless.
At the Half way point the flavor started to shift but I can not explain what I taste. (Wilkey I need you pallet).
I am going to say this cigar starts to take on a true Cuban profile.
Great cigar, to say the least.
Special thanks to Moki.
