Celebrating the 22nd year partnership with nextCIGAR, Davidoff releases a special exclusive edition for nextCIGAR! Made by hand by the most experienced Davidoff craftsmen with the Davidoff unique hybrid-seed Ecuador 702 wrapper, these premium cigars are released in very limited quantities giving a few lucky aficionados the opportunity to enjoy a truly unique cigar experience. 

We were extremely flattered and honored when Davidoff published this solely dedicated masterpiece in order to celebrate the achievement and glory behind these 10 years of partnership. nextCIGAR has been offering the finest premium cigars and accessories to connoisseurs all over the globe since 2000. Being the official partner of Davidoff of Geneva Asia, we ensure everyone gets 100% authentic and the latest products at the most competitive pricing.

nextCIGAR interviewed with Mr. Laurent de Rougemont, Managing Director of Davidoff of Geneva (Asia) Ltd, to talk about the 22-year partnership milestone with nextCIGAR.

1. How do you feel about the 22-year partnership milestone with nextCIGAR? 

nextCIGAR was very much an innovator when 22 years ago they decided to approach Davidoff to sell our cigars and accessories online. E-commerce was just burgeoning and only very platforms were dedicated to promote the cigar culture to Asian consumers. 

At Davidoff we do believe in building long term partnerships and our relationship with nextCIGAR is a perfect example of that strategy and commitment.

2. What’s the most memorable moment in the 22-year partnership?

The most memorable moment is about to happen with the launch of an exclusive cigar developed by Davidoff to be only available on nextCIGAR to celebrate our 22 years partnership. Both teams have worked hard on the blend development to bring some new exciting aromas and flavors to delight consumers across Asia.

3. How does nextCIGAR help to expand Davidoff’s online business in Asia?

Davidoff and nextCIGAR have many shared values, their passion for cigars and tobacco in general is unmatched as well as the quality of service they offer to their online consumers, from start of the art warehouse facilities to store cigars at their optimal condition to a clear attention to details and customer service to not only answer questions on logistics issues but also on offering personalized recommendations to consumers who want to discover new cigars.

Wishing nextCIGAR lots of successes and many more birthday celebrations!

To wrap up 2021, we did a voting on “Your favourite cigar of 2021” on our social media. Allow us to unveiling the result with you! 

#1 Davidoff «Year of the Tiger» Limited Edition 2022

92 points, Halfwheel

Dressed in a visually beautiful and unique Connecticut wrapper, used for the first time for any Davidoff Limited Edition. Its fur like markings were treated naturally, carefully placed and pressed for 48 hours, bringing the blend to life, a pattern reminiscent of the tiger.

Embraced with vibrant notes of pepper and cedar wood, beautifully enhanced with underlying creaminess, cacao, leather, and roasted nuts. A wonderful evolution of experiences towards the final third with sweeter flavours of honey, cedar wood and a touch of fresh spices. Delightful and engaging, pairing exceptionally well with a glass of rum based cocktail.

#2 Partagás Serie D No.4

90 points,  Cigar Aficionado
90 points,  Cigar Journal
89 points,  Cigar Insider

A superb robusto, packed with Partagas power. The secret of the this robustos is that it creates the cool, round smoke wanted, yet it manages to release intense, complex flavours all in that most popular size, very clever indeed. Full bodied, rich and full of cedar, chocolate and oak the No. 4 is naturally for the experienced smoker who is seeking a robusto with brains.

#3 Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour Robusto

94 points,  Cigar Dojo
92 points, Halfwheel
92 points,  The Cigar Authority
92 points,  Cigar Snob
90 points,  Cigar Coop

Winston Churchill - The Late Hour contains tobacco aged for six months in finest Scotch single malt whisky casks, a feat no one has attempted before.

The tobacco absorbs the aromas of the cask and whisky, which suffuses the cigar with a unique complexity, depth and the headiest of flavours, creating a unique stimulation of the palate.

#4 Cohiba Siglo II

90 points, Cigar Aficionado

Made from the finest Vuelta Abajo tobacco, the Siglo II is inviting to look at, tender to touch and very enticing to the nose. An occasional resistance on the initial draw quickly leads into a steady burn. White pepper and Cohiba's trademark grassy qualities are clearly apparent in the first half of the smoke. The second and third tier release cocoa and vanilla beans on to the palate through an impressively thick smoke. This Petit Corona is a great work-out for the palate and a true example of the Cohiba "blend master's" diligence.

#5 Montecristo Double Edmundo

92 points,  Cigar Aficionado 

Inaugurating the new embossed Montecristo band, the freshly released Double Edmundo is a very elegant and trendy cigar which feels good in the hand. Rolled with the smoothest wrapper, this medium bodied 'Dobles' is full of Cuban creamy & woody flavours which develop considerably throughout the 1st and 3rd third.

Give a taste on the customers’ favourite cigars of 2021 on nextCIGAR!

The much-adored box-pressed is actually origin from a human mistake. Before the embargo, when Cuba would trade fresh cigar overseas, they would pack the parcel tightly to allow more shipments. The strong pressure from parcels and the cigars caused them evolve to a square shape.  Nowadays, many factories and premium brands such as Davidoff, Partagas will produce their own box-pressed cigars.

Box-pressed VS Parejo Cigar 

Parejo cigar is the most common one we see & smoke every day, with the basic cigar shape where the cigar has straight sides and a rounded head. Good examples would be Robusto, Corona and Churchills.

Some would say the box-pressed cigars give a smoother draw and slower burn. Affected by shape, the box-pressed cigars deliver a stronger and consistent flavor for enjoyment.

Some say the size and shape allows more air with each puff, thus a cooler draw. Nevertheless, box-pressed is much appreciated by worldwide connoisseurs.  

The Process

How is box-pressed cigar made? Just like its name, the fresh rolled Parejo cigar is placed in box and being pressured until it adopts to the ideal shapes. Meanwhile torcedor needs to be extra careful on the delicate tobacco leaves while leaving pressure on the cigars. Requires tremendous amount of time, attention and effort to avoid the cigars getting split from over-pressured.

Comes in Different Shapes

Not just limited to square, the box-pressed cigar can come in various of shapes. The unique pressing format and premium quality has made those cigars highly sought-after. Below are some special box-pressed you shouldn’t miss:

Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto I Hexagono

88 points, Cigar Insider

88 points, Cigar Aficionado

Nicaraguan long-fillers wrapped in a beautiful, oily Jalapa wrapper. A unique blend and pressing format, extraordinary smoke features a six-sided cigar that resembles a honeycomb.

Alec Bradley Nica Puro Diamond Rough Cut

91 points, Cigar Insider 

A limited-edition Nico Puro cigar launched in 2014 handcrafted in a diamond shaped format, where workers apply a unique rolling technique known as the “accordion method” where each leaf is folded in a wavy pattern, reminiscent of an accordion, or a diamond.

Davidoff Nicaragua Box-Pressed Toro

97 points, Cigar Journal

Hand rolled with a rich, intense Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper. This dynamic box pressed format with its smooth draw result in a truly complex bittersweet palate stimulation. 

Serving a box-pressed 

Different from Parejo cigar, here are some points need to be careful for when you are serving a box-pressed:

1. Remember to use your cigar scissors or punch cutter to cut your box-pressed cigar, as some double blade cigar cutters may not fit the distinctive size of the box-pressed cigar.
2. In order to light the sharp corners of the box-pressed, turn the cigar in 25% increments as you take your first draws. This way, one side or corner is less likely to canoe or burn unevenly.
3. Avoid chomping down on the end that’s in your mouth. You can crimp the draw and provoke an uneven burn. Due to the corners on a box-pressed cigar, an unwanted uneven burn will be more dramatic if you bite down on the end that’s in your mouth.