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As someone who works in the cigar industry, it takes a lot to get me excited about a cigar. I’m used to sales reps hyping up the “latest and greatest” from whichever brand they happen to be representing. It’s their job, I get it, but it’s made me very skeptical. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover that one company always delivers the goods. That company is Davidoff and their newest line, Puro D’Oro, did NOT disappoint.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t already partial to Davidoff. I don’t think I’ve experienced many cigars smoother than the Davidoff Thousands series that offer such an amazing caliber flavor profile. Emerson’s Cigars is one of the few brick and mortars in my area, Hampton Roads, Virginia, that offers Davidoff at all five of their locations for such an amazing price. So, when I heard Davidoff was introducing the Puro d’Oro, I knew exactly where I would be smoking my first one.

Davidoff Puro d’Oro is a very special cigar, not only because it’s from Davidoff, but because it has such an amazing story. Literally meaning “pure gold,” Puro d’Oro is a testament to what can happen when someone combines science, creativity, and lots of patience. In 1996, Hendrik Kelner began experimenting with tobaccos for this cigar’s wrapper. His initial attempts with Criollo seeds failed, at least to Davidoff standards, even though they were meticulously and expertly cross-bred with specially selected hybrid seeds. Then came the miracle idea. Hendrik hypothesized that the red, clay-like soil of Yamasa would produce a unique, interesting, but rich flavor as a wrapper leaf. Flash forward years later and success was granted. The Puro d’Oro was born.

I tried the Davidoff Puro d’Oro at the Emerson’s Cigars new location in the up-and-coming Peninsula Town Center in Hampton, Virginia.  They have an extremely comfortable and chic lounge area with beverages and flat screens. (If you can’t make it to one of their stores, they have amazing prices on their online store- (www.EmersonsCigars.com) I decided to begin with the Notable. Construction was impressive, not many veins, with a classic pigtail end. I’ve obviously never smoked a cigar with a Yamasa wrapper before so there wasn’t anything to compare it to!  The initial taste was buttery with a slight hint of cream. This moved into notes of spice, becoming heavier and more earthy through the end. I really love a Dominican puro. I think the flavors are bold without being overpowering yet delicate enough to be enjoyable. The burn was as even as could be and held a brilliant ash through the better part of the cigar. Price points are pretty fair. Emerson’s Cigars sells them in 25 count boxes and pre-packaged four packs. The Puro d’Oro from Davidoff is definitely a lovely, innovative, yet traditionally packaged and presented cigar. Well worth its weight in gold.