Cigar Review: Davidoff Winston Churchill – The Late Hour

• Cigar Reviewed: Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour Robusto
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Cigars Davidoff
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro Marron
• Binder: Mexican San Andrés Negro
• Filler: Dominica Republic (Olor, Piloto, San Vicente) and Nicaragua (Condega, Estelí)
• Length: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Robusto

It is, amazingly enough, only the third time I have ever smoked a Davidoff, the second time being only hours before this one. My first cigar ever was a Davidoff – I hadn’t liked it. My palette has matured since then and it is time for me to try this again. I am at the Davidoff on Madison while visiting NYC for my day job. The lounge is immaculate and the staff is full of characters who exude the reserved elegance of the brand.

I am prompted to try the Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour and select a robusto. This line, I learn, contains tobacco aged for six months in single malt whiskey casks. This is supposed to permeate the leaf with the characteristics of a complex Scotch. At this point in my smoking career, I believe I am up for the challenge of enjoying this feat of creativity.

The cigar is beautiful to look at as well. The bands are a stylish black with gold embossing, which well compliment the Ecuadorian wrapper. I am certain I will look graceful and sophisticated with this stick. The wrapper itself is silky – oily – and smells of leather and oak. The foot is chocolate and pepper. I’m excited to have it lit. It lights easily but not evenly – the gentleman behind the counter quickly evens it out for me and I have no further issues with the burn.

The first third of the cigar is creaminess, black pepper and cinnamon. I’m delighted also with the woodsiness almost floral scent of the full bodied smoke which emits from the cigar. The ash lingers into the second third as I slowly smoke it down and provides an even unveiling of the surprisingly full and nuanced flavors of this medium-full strength cigar.

The complexity of the cigar increases in the second third. It is here that I begin to be able to taste the barrel notes of it’s aging. The flavors of the first third are still present but softer now. These flavors are joined also by notes of coffee and chocolate. I am able to truly ease into the pleasure of slowly smoking this cigar through this second third. Then about halfway through this third, the strength increases to full and remains full for the rest of the smoke.

The final third eases into toastiness. I can also taste florals now. Then the taste increases in pepper, chocolate, and coffee again. The creaminess of the cigar lingers despite the pepper. It is a marvel of construction.

I cannot believe it has taken me so long to return to trying the Davidoff brand. I am traditionally a Fuente kind of girl, with a streak towards Drew Estate, but I believe Davidoff has ingratiated itself into my list of preferred cigars. It was an easy cigar to take my time with and I would recommend it whole heartedly as an after dinner cigar, perfectly acceptable as a replacement for dessert.