The Davidoff Royal Release. The name says it all — “Royal.” This is Davidoff saying, “Yes, we know it’s expensive. We’re Davidoff.” The Salomones vitola is a figurado shape that looks like it was designed by someone who finds straight cylinders boring. At $80+ per stick, it’s the kind of cigar you smoke when you’ve either closed a big deal or given up on your budget entirely.
First Third
It opens with a restrained elegance that only Davidoff can deliver — cedar, cream, a whisper of white pepper, and a subtle sweetness that’s almost imperceptible but undeniably there. The construction is, predictably, flawless. The draw is perfect. The burn is perfect. The ash holds like it’s been glued on. You’re paying for this level of precision, and you’re getting it.
Second Third
The profile deepens. Notes of almond, a refined leather, and a honeyed sweetness emerge. The oakiness becomes more pronounced, and there’s a mineral quality that’s hard to describe but immediately recognizable — like the difference between tap water and water from a mountain spring. The complexity builds gradually, layer by layer, without ever becoming aggressive.
Final Third
The Royal Release saves its most interesting flavors for last. A toasted bread note appears, the pepper intensifies to a warm spice, and the creaminess returns for a final bow. The strength builds to medium-full, which is restrained for a cigar at this price point — Davidoff prefers refinement to power. The finish is long, clean, and memorable.
The Verdict
Is the Davidoff Royal Release worth $80+? That depends on your definition of “worth.” Objectively, there are cigars that deliver more flavor for less money. But the Royal Release isn’t about bang-for-buck — it’s about the overall experience, the craftsmanship, and the knowledge that you’re smoking something that represents the pinnacle of rolling skill. It’s the cigar equivalent of a luxury watch: technically, your phone tells better time, but that’s not the point.
Rating: 4 / 5
