Match M60 paired two undefeated group champions in the final Grand 8 quarterfinal. Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share entered 4-0 after winning Group G and defeating AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes. Davidoff Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026 arrived 4-0 after sweeping Group H and eliminating Plasencia El Año del Caballo.
The matchup contrasted a full, 5 1/4 x 50 Dominican Robusto with a medium-to-full, 6 1/2 x 55 Dominican Toro Especial. Angel's Share was a Dominican puro built around a middle-priming Chateau de la Fuente OpusX wrapper. Davidoff paired Ecuadorian wrapper and binder with three Dominican vintage filler tobaccos.
Construction, draw, burn and flavor complexity tied at perfect 5.0 scores. Davidoff won balance 5.0 to 4.5, but Angel's Share won finish 5.0 to 4.0. The full-point closing advantage overcame the earlier half-point deficit and produced a 29.5 to 29.0 victory.
Matchup at a Glance
| Category | Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share | Davidoff Year of the Horse 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Arturo Fuente | Davidoff |
| Origin | Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic |
| Wrapper | Dominican OpusX, middle priming | Ecuadorian |
| Binder | Dominican | Ecuadorian |
| Filler | Dominican | Three Dominican vintage tobaccos |
| Factory | Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia | Davidoff Production Facility |
| Vitola | Robusto, 5 1/4 x 50 | Toro Especial, 6 1/2 x 55 |
| Strength | Full | Medium to Full-Bodied |
| Ashology score | 29.5/30 - Exceptional | 29.0/30 - Exceptional |
| M60 result | Winner - advanced to Final Smokeout | Loss - Grand 8 finisher |
Angel's Share began with cedar, cinnamon, dried fruit and sweet tobacco on the cold draw. Sweet cedar, baking spice, white pepper, cream and fruit sweetness created a highly aromatic opening. Caramel, toasted nuts and cinnamon deepened the center before oak, espresso and pepper increased while the signature sweetness continued.
Davidoff opened from a cold draw of cream, dry cedar, fresh hay and faint baking-spice sweetness. Soft cream, toasted grain, cedar, almond and measured white pepper formed an elegant beginning. Coffee and roasted nuts built through the center before seasoned oak, espresso and restrained pepper gave the final third more depth.
Both cigars shared cream, cedar, baking spice, white pepper, roasted nuts, oak and espresso. Angel's Share was sweeter and more expressive through cinnamon, dried fruit, caramel and continuing fruit sweetness. Davidoff was more restrained through fresh hay, toasted grain, almond and a composed coffee progression.
Where the Matchup Was Decided
The technical categories produced no separation. Construction, draw and burn tied 5.0 to 5.0. Angel's Share delivered an excellent draw, precise combustion and elegant ash formation. Davidoff answered with a controlled draw, straight burn and compact ash. Flavor complexity also tied at 5.0 as both cigars made clear, layered transitions.
Angel's Share won one category; Davidoff won one; four categories tied.
Davidoff gained the first advantage by winning balance 5.0 to 4.5. Cream, cedar, grain, almond, coffee, nuts, oak, espresso and pepper remained perfectly measured. Angel's Share stayed Outstanding and beautifully composed, but its fuller spice and sweetness left Davidoff with a half-point lead entering the final category.
Finish reversed the match. Davidoff's long, smooth and gently warming close earned 4.0. Angel's Share delivered an exceptionally long, sweetly spiced and refined finish for a perfect 5.0. That full-point swing erased Davidoff's balance advantage and created the final half-point margin.
Official Result: Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share Wins Match M60
Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share defeated Davidoff Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026 by 29.5 to 29.0 and advanced to the Final Smokeout. The victory improved Angel's Share to 5-0 and created Match M62 against Liga Privada T52.
Angel's Share later defeated Liga Privada T52 before losing the championship match to Padrón 60th Anniversary Perfecto. It finished #2 overall at 6-1 as the 2026 Runner-Up. Davidoff finished #8 overall at 4-1 as an Exceptional Grand 8 honoree.
Final Ashology Verdict
Davidoff matched Angel's Share across construction, draw, burn and complexity, then earned the matchup's first lead through perfect balance. Its cream, cedar, grain, almond, coffee, nuts, oak and espresso delivered luxury precision from beginning to end.
Angel's Share advanced because its final impression was more commanding. Its cinnamon, dried fruit, caramel, espresso and continuing sweetness carried through an exceptionally long close. Four perfect ties left two categories to decide the quarterfinal: Davidoff won balance by half a point, but Angel's Share won finish by a full point.
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.