AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet audacity in releasing a perfecto as the centerpiece of a Lunar New Year celebration. Most cigars in this genre are fat, blunt instruments—robustos and toros built to announce their presence. The Year of the Pig, by contrast, is a study in restraint, a cigar that asks you to lean in rather than sit back. Its tapered head and bulbous foot are not mere ornamentation; they are a promise of a journey that begins in a tight, focused beam of flavor and slowly widens into something more expansive. This is Davidoff at its most contemplative, a White Label expression dressed in ceremonial robes, and it earns every inch of its limited-edition status.
From the first cold draw—a whisper of cream and toasted almond with a faint, almost teasing white pepper—the cigar signals its intentions. The initial puffs after lighting are remarkably precise: fresh-baked brioche, its golden crust yielding to a soft, airy crumb; a delicate jasmine note that floats above the smoke like perfume in a still room; and a clean cedar backbone that keeps the sweetness honest. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, pale and silky, is the star here, imparting a textural creaminess that feels less like flavor and more like sensation—a smooth, almost velvety coating on the palate that defines the opening chapter. There is no rush, no immediate complexity; just a perfectly tuned, harmonious first act that sets the stage with confidence.
As the burn line passes the midpoint of the figurado's belly, the cigar begins to open up, and the narrative deepens. The brioche evolves into a roasted cashew richness, its oiliness now more pronounced. A mild espresso note emerges, not bitter but dark and grounding, providing a counterpoint to the wrapper's inherent sweetness. Then, a surprise: a whisper of dried apricot, its tart, honeyed character adding a subtle fruitiness that is unmistakably Davidoff—a signature move of the White Label blend, where the Dominican filler begins to assert its gentle earthiness. The white pepper, which had receded, returns with more structure, not as heat but as definition, carving out space between the flavors. This is the heart of the cigar, where the perfecto format proves its genius, concentrating the smoke and forcing a slower, more deliberate evolution.
The final third is where lesser cigars often betray their age or construction, turning harsh or muddy. Here, the Year of the Pig maintains its composure with almost aristocratic grace. The toasted wood note deepens into something warmer, more like sandalwood, while a supple leather emerges, adding a savory dimension. The hazelnut sweetness from the opening returns, now more pronounced, carrying through to the very nub. The strength, which had been a gentle Mild-Medium throughout, upticks modestly to a firm medium, a final, satisfying assertion of character. The finish is long and clean, a lingering cream and light spice that coats the throat without any bitterness. The tapered head has managed the heat beautifully, a testament to Davidoff's construction standards, and the ash holds firm to an inch and a half, a perfect, pale grey column. This is not a cigar that ends; it resolves, leaving you with the quiet satisfaction of having witnessed a masterclass in pacing and balance.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut (White Label) — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic (aged long-leaf tobaccos from Davidoff's estate) |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic (Davidoff's Oettinger Imex factory) |
| Vitola / Shape | Figurado (Perfecto) |
| Size | 5.5 x 52 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $35–$55 per cigar (secondary market premiums likely apply) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged per Davidoff's standard estate protocols; released January 2019 for Chinese New Year |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with cream, toasted almonds, and subtle white pepper. Once lit, the first third delivers a refined interplay of fresh-baked brioche, light floral jasmine notes, and a clean cedar backbone. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper imparts a distinctly silky creaminess that defines this opening chapter.
Second Third
Complexity builds with the emergence of roasted cashew, mild espresso, and a whisper of dried apricot — a signature Davidoff White Label evolution. The pepper presence remains restrained but adds structural definition. A gentle earthiness from the Dominican filler begins to assert itself without overwhelming the cigar's elegant character.
Final Third
The final third maintains composure where lesser cigars might turn harsh. Toasted wood, warm leather, and a lingering hazelnut sweetness carry through to the nub. Strength upticks modestly to a firm medium, with a long, clean finish marked by cream and light spice. No bitterness — the figurado's tapered head has managed heat beautifully throughout.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Davidoff's construction standards are exemplified here — the perfecto/figurado format burns evenly with a firm, well-structured ash holding to an inch and a half. The draw is ideal: open enough for volume, with just enough resistance to develop full flavor expression.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Rum — specifically a 12–18 year Barbadian rum such as Mount Gay 1703 or a light-to-medium Cognac like Hennessy VSOP; the cigar's creamy sweetness mirrors rum's sugarcane heritage
Wine
White Burgundy (Meursault Premier Cru) or a lightly oaked Viognier — the wine's stone fruit and cream notes harmonize with the cigar's almond and apricot midpalate
Non-Alcoholic
A lightly roasted single-origin Ethiopian pour-over coffee — its natural jasmine and citrus brightness will mirror the cigar's floral top notes without overwhelming
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of trophies but finds himself reaching for the same three cigars. He's been smoking for over a decade, has a palate that can discern the difference between a Dominican and a Nicaraguan puro blindfolded, and appreciates the quiet luxury of a perfectly executed Connecticut shade wrapper. He's not looking for a nicotine rush or a flavor bomb; he's looking for a moment of clarity. Picture him on a late January afternoon, the light low and golden, sitting on a quiet patio with a glass of 15-year-old Barbadian rum. He's just closed a significant deal, or perhaps he's simply taking a rare afternoon off. He lights the Year of the Pig not to celebrate a specific event, but to mark the occasion of his own time. This cigar will give him a 70-minute meditation, a sensory experience that rewards his attention without demanding it, and a final note of refined sweetness that lingers long after the ash is tapped. It's for the smoker who understands that the best cigars are not consumed, but experienced.
Bottom Line
The Davidoff Year of the Pig is a masterful reinterpretation of the White Label profile, elevated by a perfecto format that forces nuance and precision. It's a cigar of quiet confidence and impeccable balance, a true occasion smoke that justifies its collectible status. If you have one, don't wait for a special day—light it and make the day special.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. This means it provides a gentle, building nicotine presence that never becomes overwhelming. You will feel a mild, pleasant warmth by the final third, but it is far from a full-bodied or powerful cigar, making it suitable for extended, contemplative smoking sessions.
What does Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 taste like?
The flavor profile is a refined progression. The first third offers fresh-baked brioche, light floral jasmine, and a clean cedar backbone. The second third evolves into roasted cashew, mild espresso, and a whisper of dried apricot. The final third features toasted wood, warm leather, and a lingering hazelnut sweetness, all carried by a signature silky creaminess from the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.
How long does Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 take to smoke?
Given its Figurado (Perfecto) vitola and 5.5 x 52 dimensions, you should expect a smoking time of approximately 60 to 75 minutes. The tapered head and bulbous foot require a slower, more deliberate smoking pace to fully appreciate the flavor evolution, so it is not a quick smoke.
What is the best pairing for Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019?
An aged rum, specifically a 12-18 year Barbadian expression like Mount Gay 1703, is an excellent choice. The cigar's creamy sweetness and toasted almond notes mirror the rum's sugarcane heritage and oaky vanilla character, creating a harmonious and luxurious pairing. Alternatively, a light-to-medium Cognac like Hennessy VSOP will complement the cigar's elegance without overpowering it.
Is Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 good for beginners?
While the Mild-Medium strength is approachable, the $35-$55 per cigar price point (with secondary market premiums likely) makes it a poor choice for a novice. A beginner would be better served by a more affordable cigar to develop their palate. This is a cigar for an experienced smoker who can appreciate the subtle nuances and is willing to pay a premium for a limited-edition, collectible experience.
Where can I buy Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019?
As a 2019 limited edition, it is no longer in general retail circulation. Your best options are reputable online cigar auction sites, high-end brick-and-mortar tobacconists that may have old stock, or private collector marketplaces. Be prepared to pay a significant premium over the original retail price, and always verify the seller's authenticity.
What is the price of Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019?
The original retail price was between $35 and $55 per cigar. However, due to its limited production and collectible status, secondary market prices have climbed significantly. You should expect to pay well above the original MSRP if you can find it for sale from a private collector or auction house.
Is Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 worth aging?
The tobaccos were already aged per Davidoff's standard estate protocols before release, meaning the cigar is smoking beautifully now. While the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is not typically a primary candidate for long-term aging, the blend's balance could allow for 2-4 more years of gentle cellaring to further integrate the flavors. However, given its scarcity and the fact it was made to be enjoyed, smoking it now is the recommended course of action.
What wrapper does Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut (White Label) wrapper. This wrapper is a golden tan, silky leaf with minimal veining, and it is the primary source of the cigar's signature silky creaminess and subtle sweetness. It is a hallmark of Davidoff's White Label line and is a key contributor to the cigar's refined, elegant character.
Where is Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 made?
It is hand-rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at Davidoff's Oettinger Imex factory. This is the brand's primary production facility, known for its exacting construction standards. The Figurado (Perfecto) format is particularly challenging to roll, and this cigar is a testament to the skill of the torcedores at that factory.