AshMap
Overview
The Davidoff Year of the Pig Limited Edition 2019 stands as a masterful intersection of cultural celebration and precision cigar craftsmanship. Released in January 2019 to honor the Chinese Lunar New Year, this limited figurado—the only perfecto vitola in Davidoff’s ongoing zodiac series—represents a deliberate departure from the brand’s typical parejo formats. Its 5.5 x 52 silhouette, tapering elegantly from a rounded head to a foot that narrows before flaring, is not merely aesthetic; it is an engineering choice designed to concentrate and layer the smoking experience. Wrapped in a golden-tan Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf of exemplary silkiness and minimal veining, the cigar wears the hallmarks of Davidoff’s White Label lineage, yet its binder and filler—both Dominican, from Davidoff’s own estate-aged long-leaf tobaccos—elevate it beyond a simple reissue. The construction, executed at the Oettinger Imex factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, is faultless: a firm, inch-and-a-half ash, a draw that balances volume with resistance, and a burn that remains even from the first puff to the tapered nub. What emerges is a cigar of quiet confidence—mild to medium in strength, but rich in nuance. The first third unfolds with fresh-baked brioche, jasmine-like florals, and a clean cedar spine, while the second third introduces roasted cashew, mild espresso, and a whisper of dried apricot that speaks to the Dominican filler’s depth. In the final third, toasted wood, warm leather, and hazelnut sweetness carry through without a trace of bitterness—a testament to the vitola’s heat management. Priced originally between $35 and $55, the Year of the Pig now commands significant premiums on the secondary market, but its true value lies not in speculation but in the act of smoking. This is a cigar for the aficionado who understands that a limited edition need not be a museum piece; it is a moment, a conversation, and a celebration of the year it honors.
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 cigar is for the seasoned aficionado who values precision and nuance over power. It rewards those who have developed a palate capable of parsing subtle shifts—from jasmine to apricot to hazelnut—over a 60- to 75-minute session. Enthusiasts of Davidoff’s White Label profile will recognize the creamy DNA here, but the perfecto format adds a layer of complexity that makes it equally compelling for collectors seeking a smoking experience worthy of a milestone: a Chinese New Year gathering, an anniversary, or a quiet afternoon of personal celebration. Beginners will appreciate its mild-medium strength, but should approach it with patience and an open palate—this is not a cigar to rush. It demands a contemplative setting and a willingness to let its layered evolution unfold. Those who hoard limited editions are advised to smoke one; these were crafted to be enjoyed, not sealed away.
Bottom Line
The Davidoff Year of the Pig 2019 is not merely a collectible—it is one of the most thoughtfully executed limited editions in the brand’s zodiac series, leveraging the perfecto vitola to coax uncommon nuance from its White Label DNA. Smoke it to celebrate, to savor, or to remind yourself why precision matters. It earns its place in the humidor, and your time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidoff Year of the Pig a strong cigar?
No. It is categorized as mild to medium, with a strength rating of 2 out of 5. The final third sees a modest uptick to a firm medium, but power is never the point—refinement is.
What does Davidoff Year of the Pig taste like?
The flavor profile evolves across thirds: first third offers fresh-baked brioche, jasmine florals, and cedar. The second third introduces roasted cashew, mild espresso, and dried apricot. The final third brings toasted wood, warm leather, and hazelnut sweetness, finishing with cream and light spice.
How long does Davidoff Year of the Pig take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of 60 to 75 minutes, depending on your pace. The figurado’s tapered head encourages a slower, more deliberate draw.
What is the best pairing for Davidoff Year of the Pig?
Aged Barbadian rum (12–18 years, such as Mount Gay 1703) or a light-to-medium Cognac like Hennessy VSOP complements the cigar’s creamy sweetness. For wine, a White Burgundy Meursault Premier Cru or lightly oaked Viognier mirrors its stone fruit and cream notes. A lightly roasted Ethiopian pour-over coffee will echo its jasmine and citrus brightness.
Is Davidoff Year of the Pig good for beginners?
Its mild-medium strength and silky Connecticut wrapper make it approachable, but the layered complexity and perfecto format reward an experienced palate. Beginners can enjoy it, but should smoke slowly and with attention.
Where can I buy Davidoff Year of the Pig?
Limited availability at premium brick-and-mortar retailers and select online auction sites. Secondary market premiums are common due to its limited production and collectible status. Check authorized Davidoff merchants or reputable cigar auction houses.
What is the price of Davidoff Year of the Pig?
Original retail pricing ranged from $35 to $55 per cigar. Secondary market prices have climbed significantly; actual cost depends on condition, provenance, and seller.
Is Davidoff Year of the Pig worth aging?
Aficionados note that the cigar was designed to be enjoyed fresh, though Davidoff’s aged tobaccos may allow for graceful evolution over 2–5 years. The recommendation is to smoke it rather than hoard it—it was made for celebration.
What wrapper does Davidoff Year of the Pig use?
It features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper (White Label), natural shade, with a golden-tan color, silky texture, and minimal veining.
Where is Davidoff Year of the Pig made?
It is hand-rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at Davidoff’s Oettinger Imex factory.