Davidoff Year of the Rabbit (XNY23)

[Glass Half Full]

Meant to do just an "Out with the Old" on the Daily FoH post, but this was too good.

A Davidoff Year of the Rabbit on this last day of 2023.  A "celebratory" NC for me for this past year.  Only had a couple, with my first occurring on January 1st.  

While this does not possess the "almost life changing" qualities of the best of aged CCs, it is an excellent cigar.  

The first third began much more mildly than I recall.  Retrohales were entirely soft but fully pleasant (and remained so, though ticked up considerably later on).  Subtle, chocolate cake sweetness. Subtle transitions.

Until the 2nd 3rd which became wonderfully leathery but in that "soft leather" Davidoff way.  Complexity comes in with cinnamon, cream and black pepper notes, though again with wonderful though more powerful retros. 

...Meanwhile, I had two pots on the stove(?!?)  I was making some split pea soup for a completely casual NYE.  (Made from the best bits from a ham from a local farm.)  ...So, on occasion, I was a bit distracted, unfortunately.  I had to leave this cigar on multiple occasions to stir, stir again, strain, etc. ...oh, and, yes, a beverage.  

...Yet every time I returned I found this cigar waiting and ready.  Not a single relight during this 2 hour period, despite my periodic neglect.  To say "construction was perfect," that almost seems like an understatement.  

The final third brought a lot more intensity, more leather, pleasant pepper, plus chocolate nib bitterness.  The latter was made all the better as I'd then paired with a Jamaican coffee.  While not quite up to my recollection of the truly exceptional "Year of the Tiger," this is one of the special Davidoff's that live up to the hype.  (In case it's helpful, I recall seeing a few still out there in the wild, at least in the US, for those who'd like to find one.) 

As a sign of it's immaculate construction, you might be able to see that I had to tap the ash just three times.  What a pleasantly complex and delicious opening and close to the year.