Connoisseur’s Corner: Davidoff Dom Perignon (circa 1988)
What a fantastic cigar. I’m so impressed at how much oil the wrapper of this long-discontinued Cuban Dom Perignon has retained over the decades. And it’s just as rich in flavor as it is in appearance. The draw is flawless, finessing the palate with unmistakable impressions of nutmeg and cinnamon that are brought together by a creamy layer of chocolate that seems to last forever on the finish. One of the true greats with so much to offer. —Marvin R. Shanken
This was released to mark 30 years of the Don Carlos brand, only it has a Dominican OpusX wrapper on it rather than Cameroon. It’s become magic. Baking spices abound with cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg and clove. Notes of molasses, vanilla and orange peel add dimension and zest. —Gregory Mottola
A forgotten size from one of Cuba’s smaller brands, this 50-ring-gauge smoke was quite fat for its time. It starts a bit gravelly, then picks up considerable steam, taking on a note of fleshy walnut, gingerbread and a faint honey quality on the finish, with a bit of black pepper spice. It burns evenly, and is nice and lively despite its age. —David Savona
Quite spicy from the first puff, it takes on a heavy peanut flavor, as the power fades a bit. It’s earthy, slightly gritty, and has just a wisp of leather in the background with vague hints of almond. The finish is a bit dry and fairly short, making this not the finest of Cuba’s Limitadas, as it scored only one point higher here than it did upon release. —David Savona
