Davidoff Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026 entered Match M45 at 2-0 after defeating Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I and Rocky Patel Year of the Horse. A third victory would complete its schedule, clinch first place in Group H and send an undefeated Davidoff into the Top 16. La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor opened its Modern Luxury campaign here.
The matchup paired Davidoff's 6 1/2 x 55 Toro Especial with Mi Amor's 5 1/2 x 54 Belicoso. Davidoff used Ecuadorian wrapper and binder over three Dominican vintage filler tobaccos. Ashton and My Father Cigars built Mi Amor with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler in Estelí.
La Aroma de Cuba earned Outstanding 4.5 marks in every category. Davidoff exceeded five of them with perfect 5.0 scores for construction, draw, burn, flavor complexity and balance. Mi Amor won the finish 4.5 to 4.0, but Davidoff's five half-point advantages created a 29.0 to 27.0 victory and a perfect 3-0 group record.
Matchup at a Glance
| Category | Davidoff Year of the Horse 2026 | La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Davidoff | La Aroma de Cuba by Ashton |
| Origin | Dominican Republic | Nicaragua |
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian | Mexican San Andrés |
| Binder | Ecuadorian | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Three Dominican vintage tobaccos | Nicaraguan |
| Factory | Davidoff Production Facility, Villa González | My Father Cigars S.A., Estelí |
| Vitola | Toro Especial, 6 1/2 x 55 | Belicoso, 5 1/2 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium-Full | Medium-Full |
| Ashology score | 29.0/30 - Exceptional | 27.0/30 - Premium |
| M45 result | Winner | Loss |
Davidoff began with cream, dry cedar, fresh hay and faint baking spice. Toasted grain, almond and measured white pepper defined the opening. Coffee and roasted nuts built through the center before seasoned oak and espresso deepened the final third while cream kept the profile composed.
Mi Amor opened with cocoa, cedar, coffee and mild pepper. Dark cocoa, earth and measured spice established the first third. Espresso, roasted nuts and light sweetness made the center creamier before coffee and charred oak strengthened while pepper remained in the background.
Both cigars combined cedar, coffee, roasted nuts, cream and pepper, yet their core identities remained distinct. Davidoff was brighter and more measured through hay, grain and almond. Mi Amor was darker and earthier, using San Andrés cocoa and charred oak to create a classic full-flavored Nicaraguan presentation.
Where the Matchup Was Decided
Davidoff won construction, draw and burn 5.0 to 4.5. Its controlled airflow, straight combustion and compact ash supplied flawless technical performance. Mi Amor delivered a good draw, substantial smoke and reliable burn, but its Outstanding execution finished one step below Davidoff in all three categories.
Davidoff won five categories; La Aroma de Cuba won one; no categories tied.
Flavor complexity and balance also went to Davidoff 5.0 to 4.5. Clear movement from cream and grain into coffee, nuts, oak and espresso remained measured and integrated. Mi Amor's cocoa, earth, espresso, nuts and charred oak built a satisfying progression, but it could not equal Davidoff's definition or control.
Mi Amor prevented a six-category sweep by winning the finish 4.5 to 4.0. Its dark, smooth, medium-to-long close outscored Davidoff's gently warming conclusion. That half-point response reduced a 2.5-point advantage to the final 2.0-point margin without threatening the overall result.
Official Result: Davidoff Year of the Horse 2026 Wins Match M45
Davidoff Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026 defeated La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor 29.0 to 27.0 and completed Group H at 3-0. The sweep secured first place and sent the Exceptional 29.0 cigar into the Top 16 as the group's undefeated champion.
Davidoff advanced past Plasencia El Año del Caballo in M54 before Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share ended its run in the Grand 8. Davidoff finished No. 8 overall at 4-1.
La Aroma de Cuba later lost to Plasencia Alma Fuerte Eduardo I and Rocky Patel Year of the Horse, finishing Group H at 0-3. Its Premium 27.0 evaluation and six Outstanding scores showed consistent quality against three higher-finishing opponents.
Final Ashology Verdict
Mi Amor delivered dark cocoa, cedar, earth, espresso, nuts, sweetness, coffee, charred oak and pepper. Its dark, smooth finish produced the scorecard's only category victory.
Davidoff completed the sweep through precision. Perfect construction, draw, burn, complexity and balance converted cream, cedar, grain, almond, coffee, nuts, oak and espresso into a polished progression. Mi Amor closed stronger, but Davidoff controlled the first five categories and M45.
Tasting notes reflect the cigars and vitolas evaluated during the 2026 competition. Flavor, strength and burn performance may vary based on storage, age, vitola and individual palate. Tobacco products are intended only for adults of legal smoking age.