Today we review a cigar industry classic; the Davidoff Aniversario No. 3. This cigar was originally released in 1986 to celebrate Zino Davidoff’s 80th birthday. It was initially a Cuban made cigar and was rolled in the No 1. Double Corona (8 1/2 x 48), and the No. 2 Churchill (7 x 48). Davidoff stopped making their cigars in Cuba in 1991 and shifted production to the Dominican Republic which is when it was reblended and began to use the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. It was also originally released in wooden tubes that were also part of the 80th birthday celebration. The No. 1 and later No. 2 vitolas were discontinued in 2016, but the No 1. was re-released as a limited edition in 2023 and won our Cigar of the Year award that year. The Aniversario No. 3 was also introduced in 1986 and is a 6 x 50 toro. It is perhaps the most popular of the Aniversario sizes today.
Under the Lid
- Origin: Dominican Republic
- Factory: Cigars Davidoff
- Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic
- Size: 6 x 50
- MSRP: $34.90
- Production: Regular Production
The Davidoff Aniversario No. 3 is available in multiple packaging variations:
- Box of 10: $349
- Box of 20: $714
- Pack of 3 Tubos: $107.10
Pre-Light
The cold draw is smooth and creamy with notes of candied peanuts with a little bit of chili pepper on the back of the throat. The more I take some cold draws the more black pepper and cedar also comes forward onto the tip of my tongue and lips. There is a decent amount of pepper for what’s considered a milder to medium cigar, but that’s also not a problem. We will see if and how that changes once the cigar is lit. There is also a faint finish of fresh plum that lingers on the roof of my mouth.
First Third
After lighting the cigar, there is a small rush of black pepper right off of the foot of the cigar. Nicole, who happens to be sitting with me, tells me that from her vantage point the aroma on the nose smells like fresh graham cracker or a toasted graham cracker – like someone sitting fireside making s’mores and the graham crackers got a little bit too close to the flame and started to warm. As always, in typical Davidoff fashion, the cigar lights quick and so far is off to a nice even burn. It’s moments like this when you remember why you pay the extra dollar for Davidoff which is because of the excellent quality control.
The pepper quickly dissipates, leaving behind dry earthy notes and some spice. I liken it to a piece of warm fresh bread with cinnamon powder, no sugar, not like a cinnamon roll, so there’s no sweetness to it. There is also a hint of nutmeg and some cashew. The burn line does lose some of its symmetry temporarily as I go a little further but overall doesn’t seem to have much effect on the burn and it’s very minimal. The ash isn’t super strong on this cigar and does not hold super well, but it’s also not problematic. I’ve had some cigars recently where it was almost impossible to keep the ash from dropping off after two puffs. But with these mild Ecuador Connecticut wrappers, sometimes that can be a thing as they are not super strong and hearty and burn relatively thin.
The cigar continues to be a solid, mild plus to medium overall cigar and it is not super strong, but it has a few enhanced layers of flavor. They give the cigar just a little bit more kick to keep it from being boring. It does begin to transition to more of a soft creamier texture with nuttiness and a hint of leather and cedar. I am really in the zone with this cigar. It continues to give off plenty of smoke production and I find the draw to be perfect. It’s not too loose where the cigar burns too fast and gets too hot, but it’s not too restrictive either, just at the right speed.
Second Third
The second third brings in some cocoa powder and some of what I can only describe as a fresh, homemade pretzel bread with the sea salt on top. Not overpowering in flavor but that right amount of bread sourness that pretzel and sourdough bread have that makes it warm, inviting and so enjoyable to taste. There is also a nice mushroom note sprinkled in too and if I were to be more specific, I would said a sautéed portobello mushroom that’s full of moisture and now I am getting hungry. The earthy and nutty tones are much more muted right now as these new flavors take shape. There does remain some spice and cedar on the back end finish but it doesn’t dominate the entire palate and leave you feeling tingly. What sticks out in my mind is the warm pretzel taste and now I just want some beer cheese to go with it. Is that strange?
Overall all, I would say by the point the cigar takes on the medium body in terms of flavor but still a mild plus on strength. It isn’t in your face or making you feel heavy. It is enjoyable and lighthearted but has plenty of flavor and many flavor changes giving it solid complexity. The minor uneven burn line that appeared in the middle of the first third has already long fixed itself and the cigar continues to burn cool, even and smooth.
Final Third
The last third continues to keep me on the edge of my seat. More of the spice begins to reemerge towards the front of the palette and this cigar holds its complexity giving me some lemongrass, sesame, more cedar and espresso on the finish. Even towards the end, the Aniversario No. 3 doesn’t get too hot, does not get too bitter and gives me a nice strong finish. That makes me want to smoke this thing down as far as I possibly can. I am not one to really “nub” cigars and it is only because for me, I don’t ever feel a need to hang on to a cigar that long. At some point no matter how good a cigar is, I just want to start a fresh one. But this cigar makes me want to hang on longer than normal and naturally I do.
Smokin Wrap
This cigar was near perfect for me and is another example of the Davidoff difference. Few brands make cigars that perform this well and have the consistency to do so year-after-year. Extremely minor uneven burn on two out of three samples and it corrected itself quickly. I almost feel I am just being super nitpicky compared to the rest of the performance. If you want a cigar that isn’t too strong but has plenty of flavor to not feel like you are smoking nothing – smoke this. If you want a ultra-premium cigar to celebrate an occasion and maybe some of your friends and family who are joining you aren’t regulars, this is a safe bet for a non to novice cigar smoker. The complexity and the flavor profiles are complex yet balanced and the cigar never falters from its identity.
Smokin Facts
- Cigars were purchased by Smokin Tabacco
- Davidoff does not advertise with Smokin Tabacco
- Cigars Smoked for Review: Three
- Smoking time: 2 hours & 15 Minutes
