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Once the tobacco grows to maturity, the leaves are harvested from top to bottom. This process is exceptionally important for creating different flavor profiles across cigars and layered flavors within one. Top leaves receive the most sunlight and wilt first, giving them the fullest body. Flavors become milder going down the tobacco plant. "We have four major strength positions on each plant, producing as many as 12-14 leaves so we can have as many as 10-14 flavor outcomes out of each plant," explained Stone. After this the tobacco is cured in ranchos, where they dry age. Once they've cured for the desired number of years (a minimum of ten years), they are fermented. All the while, these processes are controlled by shifting the tobacco around so that each batch is uniform. Once fermentation is complete, the cigar makers blend the leaves to create a specific product. Reflecting on this entire process, the number of possible combinations is overwhelming. What is most impressive is how Davidoff is able to control these factors and create consistent products. "Your key goal is to maintain the quality and consistency of your product over time, so you maintain the integrity of your brand," said Stone. "That's job number one through 100." Knowing this, I could not help but be amazed at the artfully-crafted cigars lining the walls of Davidoff's walk-in humidor, each one requiring years of labor, each one made with purpose. Above us—a reminder of where they came from— tobacco leaves hang from the ceiling. "There's no greatness without passion," said Stone. "I mean, people just gravitate towards that." Davidoff of Geneva at Brookfield Place in Manhattan. VUE ON LIFESTYLE V U E N J . C O M 64

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