Vitola: Gran Toro- 5.5” x 58 ring gauge
- MSRP ~$18
- Provided by Davidoff
Background
Rumors started flying around early in 2015 about Davidoff developing a cigar focusing on Brazilian tobacco. In June the rumors were confirmed and the project name revealed to be “Escurio,” a combination of “Oscuro” (a dark leaf) and “Rio” (the city in Brazil). The full weight and power of the Davidoff marketing machine was put behind Escurio very soon after that…a launch party in Florida, high-tech videos, slick advertisements on the web, and finally, the show put on at the Davidoff Gold Band Awards Dinner during the IPCPR show, which is where I got this (and a few other) sample.
According to their website, Escurio is inspired by “a night in Rio”:
Inspired by Zino Davidoff’s pioneering spirit, we at Davidoff continue our mission to allow the modern aficionado to experience innovative, unique blends and unforgettable cigars. That mission led us to craft an exciting Brazilian cigar that delivers an intense, spicy sweet palate stimulation, coupled with the signature Davidoff refinement and sophistication.
We found our inspiration in Rio, the soul of Brazil, and in the rhythms, intrigue, and rich experiences of its nights. And, just like an adventurous evening in this vibrant city, this complex and original cigar will carry you along on a taste adventure with unexpected twists and turns. Allow us to introduce to you, the Davidoff Escurio.
Rhythm. Intrigue. Originality.
The Escurio is a very interesting mix of tobaccos. It uses a dark Habano Ecuador wrapper leaf, a Brazilian Cubra binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic (San Vicente, Piloto Cubano and Olor) and Brazil (Cubra and Mata Fina). They are rolled in the Dominican Republic and exclusive to Davidoff White Label accounts.
Prelight
Similar to the Davidoff Nicaragua, the Escurio is a “Black Label” Davidoff…a spin-off or extension of the White Label is the way I look at it. Each size has a unique band that has the vitola printed on it (Gran Toro in this case) and there is a secondary band that declares “Escurio” along with the little artistic flourishes that they chose to symbolize the brand; in this case four crescent of color ranging from yellow to dark green, colors seen in the Brazilian flag. The wrapper leaf was dark for an Ecuador Habano, fairly oily and slightly mottled in appearance. I could see a couple prominent veins, too, no matter which angle I looked at the cigar from. They did the best they could with the leaf, but to be honest, it’s a little uncharacteristic of Davidoff, from whom we normally see absolute perfection in every way from a wrapper leaf. Build quality appeared to be up to their normal standards, though.
I picked up notes of earth and hay from the wrapper leaf, along with a light sweetness, not out of place in a Habano leaf. The foot had a much richer, complex aroma with touches of earth and cedar up front, and notes of cocoa powder and fruit just behind that. The prelight draw had cool cedar, hay and earth notes.
I will pause here to make one remark about the initially released sizes. I truly think this could be the worst initial vitola line-up that I’ve seen. The smallest ring gauge is 50 and it’s a Petite Robusto that’s only 3.25 inches long; while it smokes good, it’s over way before you want it to be. The other options are 54 and 58 ring gauge, neither of which is something I prefer to smoke on a regular basis. I hope this blend becomes popular enough that they can go the other way soon…adding Corona Gorda or similar sizes in the mid to upper 40s for ring gauge.
Flavor
It didn’t take much to get the fat Gran Toro lit evenly and soon I was enjoying a mix of earth and espresso bean on the palate, with just a touch of sweetness and that characteristic Davidoff Olor funk. The retrohale had the promised pepper spice, along with a touch of cinnamon and leather. The smoke was thick, oily and at the shallow end of the full-bodied pool.
During the second third, the Escurio kept up the earth and coffee main attraction, but sweeter, almost caramel-like flavors, crept in as well. The Olor musty mushroom note came out more prominently and the pepper spice stayed at just a low burn on both palate and nose.
The sweetness faded slowly away during the course of the final third, while earthy and spicy flavors increased. I took the Escurio down to the nub until it got too hot to handle.
Construction
The draw was excellent and the ash was rock solid for an inch or more. The burn line meandered and had to be corrected a few times. Nothing major, but it was consistently that way in all the Ecurios I have smoked.
Value
This is a Davidoff and that brings high prices. The build quality was exceptional, though, in every sample I’ve smoked and the flavor was excellent, so I’m giving it full marks for value…but just barely.
Conclusions
I have to call the Escurio another success for Davidoff. It is the fullest-bodied Davidoff regular line to date (the fullest overall is still the Colorado Claro) and presents a very complex and pleasing flavor. It’s still a Davidoff, though, with subtlety and nuance in abundance. It stands proudly beside the Nicaragua as a herald of a new, expansive way of thinking at the very old company, not content to sit on its laurels and sell mild cigars to the same people who have smoked them for decades. It is expensive, but one to put on your “must try” list.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
Escurio is available from Small Batch Cigar, one of our site sponsors.
This to me looks like an interesting cigar. but not something i’d smoke consistently.
all Davidoffs should be 9.5 or higher just for the price point. I get it that in the grand scheme of things cigars are under priced for how much labor goes into the final product from Seed to stick… but I’m just not sold on the difference in cost between a good quality 10 dollar stick and and $18+ stick. I just don’t see it. Good review otherwise.
Nice write up, price point is high but I have seen in my limited exposure is consistent with other Davidoff lines. I would give this one a try.