Davidoff Cigars are among the most established names in premium handmade cigars, recognised for their Dominican Republic production, carefully selected tobaccos and extensive collection of different blends and formats. The brand's portfolio includes several distinct ranges, each with its own tobacco composition, flavour characteristics and cigar sizes.
Three of the most recognisable collections are Davidoff Signature, Davidoff Grand Cru and Davidoff Winston Churchill. Although all belong to the same brand, they differ considerably in strength, construction, flavour profile and format.
This guide explores the differences between these three Davidoff cigar collections, including their typical characteristics and the individual expressions represented in the Hard To Find Whisky catalogue.
Davidoff Cigars at a Glance
|
Collection |
General profile |
Notable characteristics |
|---|---|---|
|
Davidoff Signature |
Mild |
Creamy, woody, floral |
|
Davidoff Grand Cru |
Mild to medium |
Cedar, nuts, gentle spice |
|
Davidoff Winston Churchill |
Medium to full, depending on expression |
Wood, earth, spice and roasted notes |
|
Winston Churchill The Late Hour |
Medium to full |
Darker wrapper and whisky-cask-aged tobacco |
These characteristics are general descriptions of the blends, rather than guarantees of how an individual cigar will taste.
Davidoff Signature Cigars – Mild and Creamy
The Davidoff Signature collection is characterised by its relatively mild strength, restrained tobacco profile and emphasis on creamy, woody and floral aromas.
The range includes different cigar formats, from the slender Signature No. 2 to the more compact Signature 2000. Each uses the Signature blend, with variations in ring gauge and length influencing the balance and development of the tobacco characteristics.
Davidoff Signature No. 2 Tubos
The Signature No. 2 is a Panetela measuring 6 inches with a 38 ring gauge. Its slender proportions distinguish it from the thicker Robusto and Toro formats commonly found elsewhere in the Davidoff portfolio.
The blend is described as having earthy and woody notes, floral aromas and a creamy finish. The cigar features a distinctive pigtail cap and is supplied in an individual protective tube.
Davidoff Signature 2000 Tubos
The Signature 2000 uses a Corona format, measuring 5 inches with a 43 ring gauge.
Compared with the Signature No. 2, it has a shorter, slightly wider construction. The format provides a different proportion of filler tobacco to wrapper, which can influence the development of the blend during smoking.
Both are produced in the Dominican Republic.
Davidoff Grand Cru Cigars – The Traditional Collection
The Davidoff Grand Cru collection traces its origins to the early development of the brand's premium cigar portfolio. It is generally positioned between the milder Signature range and some of Davidoff's richer expressions.
Grand Cru cigars are associated with cedar, roasted nuts, gentle spice and a fuller tobacco character, while retaining the restrained profile traditionally associated with Davidoff.
The collection includes several numbered formats, each providing different dimensions and smoking characteristics.
Davidoff Grand Cru No. 5
The Grand Cru No. 5 is a Petit Corona with a length of 4 inches and a 41 ring gauge.
This makes it one of the more compact formats within the Grand Cru collection. Davidoff describes the No. 5 as having the fullest body of the original Grand Cru series, despite its relatively short dimensions.
Its smaller format distinguishes it from longer Grand Cru expressions while retaining the underlying character of the blend.
Davidoff Winston Churchill Cigars – Different Blends and Formats
The Davidoff Winston Churchill collection was developed around the name of the former British Prime Minister, who was closely associated with cigars throughout his public life.
The collection includes several different formats, named after aspects of Churchill's personality and interests.
Unlike Signature and Grand Cru, the Winston Churchill portfolio also includes The Late Hour, a separate blend incorporating tobacco aged in Scotch single malt whisky casks.
Davidoff Winston Churchill Aristocrat
The Aristocrat is a traditional Churchill-sized cigar, measuring approximately 6⅞ inches with a 47 ring gauge.
The extended length distinguishes it from the smaller cigars in the collection and reflects the larger cigar format associated with Winston Churchill.
Davidoff Winston Churchill Belicoso Traveller
The Belicoso Traveller measures 4½ inches with a 46 ring gauge.
Its Belicoso construction features a tapered head, giving it a different shape from the straight-sided Aristocrat.
Davidoff Winston Churchill Petit Panatela Raconteur
The Petit Panatela Raconteur is a smaller cigar measuring 4 inches with a 38 ring gauge.
Its flavour profile has been described in terms of earth, spice, liquorice, herbs and floral characteristics.
Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour – Whisky-Cask-Aged Tobacco
The Late Hour is a distinct expression within the Winston Churchill collection.
One of its most unusual production characteristics is the inclusion of tobacco aged for six months in Scotch single malt whisky casks.
This maturation technique exposes the tobacco to the aromas retained within the oak, adding another variable to the finished blend.
The Late Hour also uses a dark Ecuadorian wrapper, contributing to its distinctive appearance.
The Late Hour Robusto
The Robusto format measures 5 inches with a 52 ring gauge.
Compared with the standard Winston Churchill Aristocrat, it is shorter and considerably wider, resulting in a different construction and blend presentation.
The whisky-cask maturation refers to the tobacco used in the cigar. It does not mean that whisky has been added to the finished cigar.
Davidoff Signature vs Grand Cru vs Winston Churchill – Key Differences
The distinctions between the three collections can be summarised through their respective tobacco styles, formats and flavour characteristics.
Signature generally represents the milder side of Davidoff's portfolio, characterised by creamy textures, floral aromas and relatively gentle tobacco strength.
Grand Cru introduces a more pronounced tobacco character, with nutty, woody and lightly spiced notes. Individual formats within the collection vary in body and dimensions.
Winston Churchill encompasses several cigar sizes and tobacco profiles, while The Late Hour introduces a separate blend distinguished by its darker wrapper and the use of whisky-cask-aged tobacco.
Cigar size is another important distinction. The slender Signature No. 2, compact Grand Cru No. 5 and large Winston Churchill Aristocrat demonstrate how the dimensions of a cigar can differ considerably, even within the same manufacturer's portfolio.
