Earlier this year Davidoff announced the Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016. The Scorecard Edition 2016 incorporates a theme of golf and cigars. A golf-themed cigar is not a new concept for Davidoff. This marks the third time in the past four years that Davidoff has released such a cigar. Each installment is a limited edition cigar that has featured a different blend and different size. Today, we take a closer look at the Davidoff Scorecard 2016 Edition. Overall this was an outstanding cigar and to date, this is the best installment of the Davidoff golf themed cigars.

The three installments of the Davidoff golf-themed cigars include. The first golf-themed release was in 2013 and after a one year hiatus, another release was done last year.

• Davidoff Masters Edition 2013 Club House Toro
• Davidoff Golf Limited Masters Edition 2015 (Robusto and Toro)
• Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016

The Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 is one of three limited edition, lifestyle themed releases for 2016:

• Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 (Golf)
• Davidoff Chef’s Edition (Culinary Arts)
• Davidoff Art Edition 2016 (Digital Art)

For 2016, Davidoff is packaging the Davidoff Scorecard Edition in five packs. At press time, I have not seen many retailers choosing to split up the five packs and sell the cigars individually.

In each of the packs is a cigar that features a special gold-colored secondary band. The gold-banded cigar is the same blend, but is meant to be given out to the winner of a round of golf.

Without further ado, let’s break down the Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 and see what this cigar brings to the table:

Blend Profile

As mentioned each of the golf themed releases features a different blend. The Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 features a Habano wrapper from Ecuador over a combination of various Dominican tobaccos used in the filler and on the binder.

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Piloto (Martin Garcia Zone)
Filler: San Vicente Mejorado Visus, San Vicente Mejorado Ligero, Piloto Visus Hybrid
Olor/Piloto Seco
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (TABADOM)

Vitolas Available

The Davidoff Golf Scorecard 2016 is available in one size – a 6 x 55 Gran Toro.

Appearance

The Habano Ecuador wrapper of the Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 has a medium brown color to it. There was somewhat of an oily sheen on the surface of the wrapper. Overall I found this to be a smooth wrapper. While there were a few visible veins, the wrapper seams were somewhat well-hidden from the eye.

There are two bands on the Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016. These bands are identical to the Davidoff Golf Limited Masters Edition 2015 The first band is similar to the classic Davidoff White label. It features the name “Davidoff” in classic cursive gold-colored font on an oval field of white. There are small gold circles going around the perimeter of the oval. The word “GENEVE” (in gold font) flanks to the right of the oval field. To the left of the oval it features the text “LIMITED EDITION” – in gold font.

We assessed cigars using the standard white secondary band. This band is white with gold trim. The text “GOLF” has red font, but the “O” is a solid red circle surrounded by a gold wedge. The secondary band of the “golden band” is all-gold in color with gold embossed golf wedge / “O” design going around it.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

As I normally do, I went with my usual choice of a straight cut to remove the cap of my Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016. Once the cap was successfully removed, I moved on to the pre-light draw phase. The dry draw delivered a mix of natural tobacco, floral, generic wood, and cedar spice. Overall I considered the pre-light draw of this cigar to be excellent. At this point I was ready to light up the Scorecard Edition 2016 and see what the smoking experience would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 started out with a mix of natural tobacco, fruit, and black pepper. I found the natural tobacco notes became primary early. Mixed in with the natural tobacco was a classic Davidoff hay-like note. The fruit and pepper notes moved into the background. Meanwhile there was an additional layer of black pepper on the retro-hale along with a slight sweet component.

Throughout the first third of the Scorecard Edition, the natural tobacco and hay notes remained primary. The fruit notes transitioned to a subtle honey sweetness with a slight salty component to it.  Meanwhile there were some cedar notes that joined the black pepper in the background.

During the second third, there was fusion between the natural tobacco and honey-like notes that made for a very interesting flavor in the forefront. During this stage I found the cedar and pepper notes started to increase in intensity. Meanwhile there still was a salty component in the background.

By the last third, the cedar and pepper notes eclipsed the natural tobacco / honey fusion as the primary note. During the last stages, I found the black pepper had the edge over the other notes. The natural tobacco / honey flavor was still present along with some of the salty notes. This is the way the cigar experience came to an end. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

From a burn perspective, I found the Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 had a slight curvature on the burn line. This was a cosmetic issue as this cigar was not in danger of canoeing. I didn’t find the cigar needed an excessive amount of touch-ups to correct the issue. I also found the resulting ash was on the firm side. The ash had a classic salt and pepper color. Meanwhile the burn rate and burn temperature were both idea.

The draw to the Scorecard Edition was open, but not loose. This was a low maintenance cigar to puff on and derive flavor from.

Strength and Body

From a strength perspective, I found the Davidoff Scorecard Edition 2016 to start out on the lower end of medium strength. For the first two thirds, I found the strength level remained constant. At the start of the last third, there was a spike in strength that took the cigar nto medium to full territory. Meanwhile I also found the body started out medium. The body took more of a gradual path in terms of increase and by the last third, I found the Scorecard Edition 2016 was in medium to full-bodied territory.

In terms of strength versus body, I found the body had a slight edge during the first two thirds. By the last third, the tables turned and the strength had the slight edge.

Final Thoughts

The Davidoff Scorecard 2016 is one of those cigars the “fires on all cylinders”. It has great construction, a nice amount of complexity, and great flavor. The Gran Toro size of this cigar seemed tailor-made for this particular blend. This cigar brings to the table a lot of classic Davidoff black pepper and hay flavors. The honey and salty notes worked real well with this blend and helped give this cigar a contemporary feel. Finally, this is a cigar better enjoyed after a round of golf as opposed to on the course as this will allow one to really appreciate what this cigar has to offer.  This is a cigar I would easily recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast. As for a novice, I wouldn’t discourage one from trying, but one should be aware of the spike in strength at the end. As for myself, this is a cigar I would easily smoke again – and it’s worthy of a box purchase.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: High
Strength: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Last Third)
Body: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Last Third)
Finish: Good
Assessment: 4.0-Box Worthy
Score: 93

References

News: Davidoff Golf Scorecard Edition 2016 Planned for Spring Release
Price: $24.00
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 184
Stogie Feed: Davidoff Golf Scorecard Edition 2016
Brand Reference: Davidoff