This month Davidoff invited us to the tour of "Viaje Al Origen" to the Dominican Republic, which means the journey to the origin. As the official partner of Davidoff Asia, this fantastic journey allows us to experience Davidoff's “Crop to Shop” philosophy by participating in the processes from planting to selling.
Here’s a wrap to our week-long trip led by those legendary aficionados.
On the first day, we visited the greenhouse and experienced Davidoff’s Swiss precision with seeding.
From 225,000 seeds per plant, only 10% of seeds make it through quality control. Follow by the pollination is done by hand with a small brush. Davidoff even imports Canadian earth just for seedlings. Because the soil is easier to grow in, which gives the plant consistency and more flavour.
Davidoff has 15 different cultivation terroirs in the Dominican Republic. On the second day, we took a trip to one of the tobacco fields and enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the middle of the field (served with cigars, of course). We were then given a tour to experience how to plant and harvest tobacco ourselves and that tobacco would be used for future production.
After harvest, tobacco leaves are hand-sewn onto a bamboo stick (called the “cuje”). This allows them to dry evenly without touching each other.
Then the tobacco would be hanging in a temperature and humidity-regulated environment. This process is called “Curing”. It allows the chemical composition of the leaves to change. The leaves change their colour from green to yellow to brown. And start to develop flavour and aroma.
We headed to the Davidoff Estate on day 3. Here we witnessed cigar production, from ageing to sorting to rolling.
Davidoff sorts tobacco leaves in 50 different colour options, sizes and textures. The detailed sorting procedure guarantees the perfect consistency in intensity and appearance for our favourite blends, which sets them apart from competitors.
Time is the finest ingredient in Davidoff cigars. Davidoff ages the tobacco two times. The second ageing refines the tobacco and adds to its complexity in taste and aroma. The average White Band cigar is aged for a minimum of 4.5 to let the aromas mingle for a perfect taste sensation.
Davidoff requests torcedores to have 10 years of experience to roll a Davidoff cigar. The roller supervisor and the inspector would then check the cigar. The diameter and weight of the cigars are strictly under control. We are deeply impressed by the commitment of Davidoff, which results in perfect taste, combustion and draw. We have tried to roll our own cigars, trust me, that is not easy.
The quality which we can taste in Davidoff cigars begins at birth.
Every stage is carefully monitored, from cultivation in the greenhouse to the presentation in the store. In-depth knowledge, detailed consideration and commitment are the essence that made Davidoff cigars fill our time beautifully.
It is how Davidoff put them together that set them apart.
