Year of the Sheep was the Davidoff limited edition for 2015, tied to, as usual, the Chinese calendar. Thus, after the Year of the Snake (2013) and that of the Horse (2014), the Sheep had to stylize the second band of the cigar (the 2016 edition was linked to the monkey).
The box containes eight cigars, for a total of 3,000 boxes distributed all over the world, and it was enough to make this edition, among the four, the smallest production of the “Year of” line.
The cigar is a Figurado with rather generous dimensions (165mm x 54) which allows us to classify it, according to the International Shape, as a Pyramid.
Wrapper: Habano seed(Ecuador)
Binder: Yamasa (Dom. Rep.)
Filler: Corojo/Olor Hybrid Viso, Viso San Vicente Mejorado, Viso Piloto (Rep. Dominicana)
The eyes are struck by the bright Maduro shaded wrapper. It is pleasantly smooth to the touch, with slightly marked veins, and the excellent construction and overall workmanship is also appreciated. The filling is generous without being excessive.
Davidoff Year of the Sheep: strong coffee aromas reach the nose, paired with less pronounced cocoa notes as well as subtle spicy nuances.
The first third is very complex, with aromas rich in number and well blended with each other: distinct notes of cocoa and spices are outlined, less evident nuances of coffee and almond. There is also a pleasant and composed (in intensity) spicy sensation, also followed by a suave chili spice. Strength is medium – light (2/5).
Il tratto centrale è segnato dall’originario sapore sapido (scompare però l’impronta amaricante) arricchita dalla sensazione piccante del tercio precedente, sempre poco intensa. Il fumo sviluppato in questa fase della fruizione risulta particolarmente cremoso, quasi “masticabile”. Gli aromi subiscono una graduale evoluzione con cacao e caffè che sorreggono il ventaglio aromatico, sullo sfondo di mandorla, arachidi e peperoncino che vivacizzano la percezione olfattiva. La forza incrementa, portandosi sul gradino intermedio (3/5).
Con l’ultimo tercio si assiste ad un’ulteriore evoluzione della fumata. Seppur il sapore sapido resta immutato (con la sola scomparsa della sensazione tattile piccante) si fanno strada aromi come la noce (molto potente), il caffè tostato (mediamente intenso) su uno sfondo di legno e dell’immancabile peperoncino. La forza aumenta ancora, assestandosi sul medio – forte (4/5).
Tutti i parametri di valutazione sono stati raggiunti a pieni voti, dove svetta la complessità aromatica sviluppata nel corso della fruizione. Uniche pecche, a voler essere esigenti,questo Year of the sheep sul finale risulta meno avvincente dei primi due terzi e il fumo sprigionato risulta lievemente secco.
Tutto sommato, resta un prodotto eccezionale, degno dell’attenzione produttiva che il marchio Davidoff ha destinato all’edizione limitata.
The central part is marked by the spicy sensation of the previous third. Particularly creamy, almost “chewable”. The aromas undergo a gradual evolution with cocoa and coffee, against the background of almond, peanuts and chilli peppers. Strength increases, moving to the medium level (3/5).
With the last third there is a further evolution in the smoke. Aromas such as walnut and roasted coffee, on a wooden background and the inevitable chilli pepper make their way. Strength increases again, settling on the medium – strong (4/5).
Overall, the Davidoff Year of the Sheep stands out for its flavor complexity. The only flaws, if you could call it that, are that the final third is less compelling than the first two thirds and the smoke is slightly dry. All in all, it remains an exceptional product.
Rating: 94
