Davidoff's new Zino Embassy Selection Limited Edition Perfecto is the latest taste of luxury to come out of the Swiss company. This new cigar consists of a Honduran blend that is powerful, spicy and sophisticated without being overbearing. The perfecto-sized cigar is 6 inches long and has a ring gauge of 53. It sports an Ecuadorian Special Sun Grown Wrapper that was made in only limited quantities -- with Davidoff given the rights of exclusive distribution.

Look for the Zino Embassy Selection in a gorgeous burgundy box, and the 10-count size does make this cigar a tad more accessible to the full range of cigar smokers. Crack open the box, and you can admire the new black and gold Zino band that has been designed for the occasion.

Nothing compares to the perfect pairing of champagne and a cigar. Too often, cigars wind up with dark liquors, their natural partners. Rum, port, scotch and cognac are the norm for an after-dinner smoke -- not champagne. With the holiday season coming, of course, the preferred beverage will likely bubble, so finding the right cigars for the top libation will be crucial.

Fortunately, Vin Lee, CEO of the Beverly Hills Cigar Club, has agreed to help us out. As you prepare for the new year, take a look at the cigar and champagne pairings that he recommends, with both ubiquitous and rare products on the list. Lee says, "In this day and age, not everyone can afford a $50 cigar and a $300 bottle of champagne," said Lee. "Complementing a wonderful glass of champagne with a great cigar for the holidays is something everyone should be able to enjoy."

BHCC's 2010 Top 10 Champagne and Cigar Pairings are:

What do you get the cigar smoker who already has humidors of various sizes that are stocked with rare and exceptional cigars, several upscale cutters and a collection of S.T. Dupont lighters? Davidoff has solved that problem for you this year. The Swiss tobacconist has devised an accessory that screams conspicuous luxury: the Davidoff cigar band. If the paper ring that comes on the cigar just isn't good enough for you, you can replace it with the leather-and-precious metal variant released only a few months ago and manufactured in a very limited quantity.

The use of this device is straightforward: remove the band from your favorite cigar, wrap the Davidoff alternative around the stick and fasten the clasp. Then, be sure to hold your cigar shoulder-high between puffs, to make sure everyone sees how it is adorned (that is the point, after all). Many cigar smokers are known to show off their labels, but none will be able to compare to the Davidoff ring.

When using this accessory, remember to remove it when the ember is an inch away – you don't want to damage the leather. Also, be sure to take it off before you toss the smoked cigar in the ash tray. It would be a shame to forget this item in the lounge (though whoever finds it would be pretty happy).

If cigar smoking is a visual affair for you, the Davidoff cigar band is the best way to be seen smoking. But, make sure you put it on a great cigar – or at least have the presence of mind to shove the "It's a Boy" label in your pocket so you don't get busted.

Last week, Davidoff Madison Avenue celebrated the launch of its new S.T. Dupont "shop-in-shop" concept. Guests were hosted by general manager Michael Herklots to wine and hors d'oeuvres as they walked through Manhattan's upscale tobacconist and perused the latest accessories from the Parisian luxury goods company. In attendance, and offering a few words, was Alain Crevet, CEO of S.T. Dupont Paris, who celebrated the partnership.

"There's been a wonderful synergy and working relationship for a number of years between the Davidoff stores in New York and S.T. Dupont," said Herklots. "We're excited to take this next step with our two brands. Our beautiful Madison Avenue flagship store has always maintained a selection of the finest cigars and good life accessories including those by S.T. Dupont. This new collaboration with S.T. Dupont allows us to offer our customers an even greater range of unique merchandise, in keeping with what they've come to expect from Davidoff of Geneva in New York City."

The shop-in-shop corner within the store is packed with an extensive selection of S.T. Dupont merchandise. Though the company's products are not new to Davidoff Madison Avenue, the build-out offers a unique venue in which to enjoy the Dupont experience. In a tough market for cigars and cigar accessories, the expansion of the Davidoff/S.T. Dupont gives cigar smokers a reason to be excited.

Watch an interview with the Herklots after the jump.

To look at this small Manhattan eatery, you'd never make the connection. Tucked in the atrium of the IBM building on the corner of Madison Avenue and E 56th Street, Obika seems like just another dine-and-dash joint to service the suited masses within a three-block radius. To judge this shop on a glance alone, however, would be a grievous error. In reality, its clientele consists of a mix of ardent regulars and tourists (mostly from Europe) who are committed to the magic made at this mozzarella bar. The customers' zeal was evident by their presence alone on May 21, 2009, when Obika catered the latest De La Concha cigar dinner.

Anthony Fauci, a partner in the restaurant, represented Obika at the cigar event, held in the store where he and his brother, James, have been regulars for as long as anyone can remember. In a new twist on what has become a regular occurrence for the Manhattan tobacconist, Obika provided a mozzarella and pasta tasting menu designed to complement the Camacho cigars featured.

The event was standing room only, as Obika took over the shop – lining the counters for food preparation and consumption. Instead of opting for traditional sit-down meals, store general manager Ron Melendi opted for a more fluid approach, in which guests could stand, sit at a boardroom style table at the front of the store or eat on available counters.

The Avo Campanero is at least the best Avo limited edition cigar since the Avo 80. It might be better, but I haven't smoked the latter in a year and a half or so, so a comparison would be unfair. Anyway, the Campanero does not need to be measured against a predecessor; it does just fine on its own.

When you pick up the Campanero – even before you cut and light – you can tell you have something special between your fingers. The wrapper has a slightly reddish tint, and a quick sniff of the unlit tobacco suggests a little "zing," a sign of the taste that will come when the stick is ignited. I've smoked a handful of Avo Campaneros, and the construction has been incredibly consistent. The cigar burns evenly (even if it doesn't start with a competent torch-handler) and steadily from foot to cap. For me, the smoke takes an hour, though I do have a tendency to burn through cigars fairly quickly. If you add conversation, coffee or a cocktail to the experience, the Campanero could deliver up to an hour and a half of satisfaction.

A bit ahead of the official tour, New York tobacconist De La Concha hosted an in-store dinner to celebrate the Avo Campanero. More than 20 guests filled the Sixth Ave. store to smoke, dine and savor the cigar legend's latest creation.

The dinner began promptly at 8 PM on March 19, 2009, with more than a dozen customers waiting on the sidewalk long before that. As the doors opened, they filed in, claimed the prized stick and began to smoke one of the most highly anticipated cigars of the year. According to Davidoff New York Sales Manager Brad Hammond, the Campanero is Avo's best limited edition cigar in the past three years – since the Avo 80, released in 2006. This claim was confirmed within the first two inches.

The robust cigar is not for novices of the leaf and would be preferred by experienced smokers. It consists of a Cuban seed, sun-grown Ecuadorian wrapper and Dominican binder. The filler is a blend of six different leaves, one of which is Peruvian. The Avo Campanero is incredibly well constructed, burns evenly and delivers a rich, powerful flavor.

Tickets for Cigar Expo 2009 are now on sale. The event takes place on Saturday, June 27 – starting at 2 PM. If you pony up for a VIP ticket, you'll also get to attend a dinner with the cigar manufacturers the night before. So, if you're in Easton, PA and have $150 to burn ($225 for the VIP level), this is an event to check out.

Famous Smoke Shop, the operation behind the festivities, will celebrate its 70th anniversary this year – as guests are likely to notice. "We're going to give this year's attendees the royal treatment," said Famous Smoke Shop Retail Store manager, Tim Carr ... and he gives some pretty compelling examples. "Not only will every guest receive at least 50 cigars, but we'll have plenty of entertainment, waitress service, a cigar menu, fantastic food, and some amazing raffle prizes."

The list of vendors participating this year is long and distinguished, including Altadis, Avo, CAO, Camacho, Davidoff, Joya De Nicaragua, Rocky Patel and General Cigar – along with many others. There's a good chance you'll find something you'll like.

Why do we love it when Avo Uvezian adds another year to his life? Of course, we celebrate the continued life of this cigar industry's living legend. But, few miss the fact that every new year brings with it another limited edition. I'm still excited about the Avo 80 that came out a few years back – well, three, to be exact. Now that the odometer's hitting 83, Avo and Davidoff are bringing a new cigar to market: the Avo Compañero.

The cigar's namesake calls it "the best blend ever released under my name from the Occidental Kelner Cigars factory in the Dominican Republic." And, let's face it: he's never lied to us before! So, I'm pretty excited about this new stick, and I suspect I'm not alone.

To fête this new cigar, a nine-city tour is planned, each with a cigar dinner featuring the Avo Compañero.

• March 16 - New York, NY – Davidoff of Geneva
• March 18 – Salem, NH – Two Guys Smoke Shop
• March 21 - Lake Mary, FL – Corona Cigar Co.
• March 26 – Houston, TX – Jeffrey Stone Ltd.
• March 27 – Austin, TX – Heroes & Legacies
• March 30 - West Chester, PA – G&G Cigar
• April 1 - Norfolk, VA – Emerson's Cigars
• April 4 – Raleigh, NC – Empire Cigars
• April 6 – Southport, NC – Havana Rays Fine Cigars

Put it on your calendar. I went to an Avo limited edition dinner back in 2006, and I can still remember the evening vividly.

A year ago Davidoff launched their first 'real' line of watches. The popular men's accessory maker entered the world of luxury watch making with the "Very Zino" timepiece line. Almost a year later, the line is followed up with rose gold versions sharing the boldness of the steel versions, but with a bit more maturity and class.

Oval watches like the Very Zino are becoming en vogue, which I appreciate. I find that the horizontally oblong shape is more flattering on one's wrist than the traditionally popular tonneau shape which is vertically oblong. Sharing from the Bell & Ross Geneva and Vintage line of watches, the small seconds dial and date window overlap with in symmetrically centered orientation. The dial enjoys a fair amount of texturing, and skeleton cut hands are sharp looking (and probably feeling). I particularly like the crafted lugs and how the Italian made (black or brown) French calf leather strap is cut to shape the case and lugs smoothly. Inside the Davidoff Very Zino watches are automatic mechanical movements, likely ETA 2895-2 movements as are used in the existing Very Zino watches. The 18k rose gold cases are 44m wide in size. The new Very Zino watches are noticeably more refined in design than those presented last year and are a welcome addition to Davidoff's growing watch collection.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The legendary Italian design house of Salvatore Ferragamo will design the interiors of Trident International's new Dubai-based Pentominium (where expansive penthouses meet the convenience of condo living). The tower for which Ferragamo will design is slated to be the tallest residential building in the world at over 500 meters high. Each floor will comprise one penthouse unit, measuring a luxe 6,500 square feet and offering expansive ocean views.

The building itself will offer a Davidoff-inspired cigar lounge, rooftop observation deck, Swarovski-crystallized grand entrance, indoor pool and spa and fully functional business center. Not that you'd need to leave the tower, but if the need arises, Pentominium residents have use of a fleet of Rolls Royces and Azimut yachts. Residences are expected to be finished by 2012. Though standard units will start at $5.3 million, penthouse list prices have yet to be disclosed.

[via Baller]

Swiss cigar manufacturer Oettinger Davidoff has announced their latest creation, a cigar named after the famous Sir Winston Churchill. The Churchill Millenium Blend is set apart from many of Davidoff's other cigars in a couple of ways, including the fact that it's quite a bit stronger in flavor and is wrapped in a rare variety of tobacco leaf that leaves it with a darker than average appearance. The Churchill range of cigars will be made of tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Nicaragua and Ecuador.

For your December cigar gift-giving needs, Davidoff has come out with something new and pricey. The Davidoff Royal Salomones have a 21-centimeter, extralong Salomones format with a 57 ring gauge. It has a slightly bulbous shape at the cigar's lower end. Only the four best Davidoff cigar rollers are put to work creating the cigar in the factory at Villa Gonzalez, in the Dominican Republic. The cigars use a blend of seven tobaccos which are fermented and matured for at least seven years. The binder leaf and filler tobaccos originate from the Dominican Republic and are grown in the Cibao Valley. The cigar is a medium strength smoke with a full rich flavor. The cigars come in a box of 50 which is made of mahogany wood with cedar wood trays. The cigar is available in a limited edition starting this month. I haven't heard any word on official pricing but rumors earlier this year put the price at around $2,000 a box.

If you have a cigar lover on your list but you aren't quite sure what style of cigar they like the Davidoff 12 cigar assortment must be the right answer. The box features 12 different blends and shapes. The inside lid of the box includes tasting notes and strength information on each cigar. It's a great way to sample a bunch of styles without having to buy a whole box. The assortment sells for $161.60.

A while back I wrote about a celebratory dinner for the 100th anniversary of the birth of cigar legend Zino Davidoff. If you weren't able to attend any of the celebrations you can still settle down with one amazing smoke to celebrate. The Diademas Finas has a ring gauge of 50 and a length of 6 3/4" and is meant to resemble Zino Davidoff's Diademas creation from 1948. The perfecto cigars come in a box of 10 which is wrapped in a special paper depicting Zino Davidoff in a photograph in front of his Geneva shop around 1940.

What is in the cigar? The Davidoff crew have kept that under wraps but according to a Robb Report article the filler is Dominican and comprises five different tobaccos. Some think the wrapper is Connecticut shade. A box of ten sells for $220 so you can make your own guesses as to what is inside.