Davidoff “702 Series” Cigars Debut in Five Iconic Core Line Shapes
Exclusive Ecuadorian Hybrid Wrapper Offers a More Intense, Bolder Taste Experience
By: Gary Korb
There’s a new way to “fill time beautifully” for fans of Davidoff cigars. Oettinger Davidoff AG has just released the Davidoff 702 Series cigars collection featuring five of their most quintessential core line cigars – the Davidoff Signature 2000, Special R, Double R, Special T, and Anniversary No.3. – dressed in a markedly more flavorful wrapper grown exclusively for the series. The original filler and binder tobaccos remain the same, while the Connecticut wrappers have been replaced by a dark, oily, and uber-savory new 702 “Habano” wrapper grown in Ecuador.
All five cigars will continue to be sold in their original blends and series respectively. Where the 702 Series versions depart can be attributed to this dramatic new wrapper swap. For example, the Corona-sized Signature 2000, admired for its fresh floral aromas and notes of earth, cedar, and sweet tobacco, now issues deep flavors of roasted coffee bean, wood and leather on a long, creamy finish. The more formidable-sized Aniversario Double R, Aniversario No. 3, Special T, and Special R, prized for their exquisite aroma and perfect balance, now offer a more vivid, full-bodied taste experience.
A hybrid of three Cuban seeds, the 702 Habano wrapper is grown exclusively for Davidoff at their San Juan farm located in t
According to Charles Awad, Oettinger Davidoff AG’s Sr. Vice President of Global Marketing and Innovation, “It is time to unexpect. The Davidoff master blenders have taken on the challenge to reimagine and reinvent our most iconic cigars and give them an exciting twist for those seeking a more intense, bolder taste experience.”
Prior to their release, the new 702 Series was subjected to an expert tasting panel of 160 cigar enthusiasts. The results of the panel revealed a 70% “exceptional” smoking experience among the participants. Even those on the panel who didn’t smoke Davidoff cigars on a regular basis, gave the 702 Series “excellent” scores, comparing them favorably with many medium-full Cuban cigars.
Davidoff 702 Series cigars are presented in the same count wooden boxes and packs as their core line equivalents with the hallmark white and gold Davidoff colors and bands, including a secondary band that displays the name of the cigar in white on a gold background, and the words “702 SERIES” below in gold on a white background to clearly distinguish each cigar as part of the 702 Series edition.
Sizes and prices points, per cigar, are as follows:
702 Series 2000: 5 1/16″ x 43 ($15.80 MSRP)
702 Series Special R: 7/8 x 50 ($21.40 MSRP)
702 Series Aniversario No.3: 6″ x 50 ($26.90 MSRP)
702 Series Special T: 6″ x 52 Torpedo ($25.20 MSRP)
702 Series Double R: 7½” x 50 ($36.50 MSRP)
As for pairing the Davidoff 702 Series cigars with spirits, Davidoff’s experts recommend Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whiskey, Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask, and Ron Centenario 20 Year to help amplify the intense and slightly spicier aspects of the 702 blend.
“The 702 Series is an exciting opportunity for those who have not yet had the chance to discover, or may want to rediscover, these iconic cigars,” Mr. Awad added.