AshMap
Overview
The Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona is a study in controlled rebellion. It’s the sound of a house renowned for its Swiss-watch precision suddenly deciding to play jazz — and pulling it off with the same obsessive discipline that made its classical repertoire famous. From the first cold draw, there’s a tension in the air: the Mata Fina wrapper smells of sweet earth and fermented barnyard, a scent that promises something wilder than the brand’s usual white-glove refinement. That promise is kept the moment the foot touches flame. The opening salvo is a dark, brooding affair — espresso grounds and unsweetened cocoa powder collide with a leather note that tastes like the inside of a well-worn driving glove. But just as you settle into that shadowy embrace, a raisin-like sweetness cuts through, bright and almost jammy, while a fine white pepper tingles on the retrohale. It’s a lot of information in the first inch, but the construction is so flawless that the delivery feels effortless, like a master sommelier pouring a Barolo without spilling a drop.
By the second third, the narrative shifts from introduction to development. The initial espresso darkens into a more roasted, almost smoky character, while the sweetness matures from raisin to a bittersweet dark chocolate — think 70% cacao, not milk. A distinct cedar plank note emerges, not the sharp, new-wood kind, but the mellow, toasted aroma of a barrel stave that’s held rum for a decade. Toasted almonds and a hint of graham cracker add a textural counterpoint, making the smoke feel almost chewy on the palate. The pepper, which was bright and prickly in the first third, now smolders like embers, releasing a savory, almost meaty umami that lingers on the finish. This is the heart of the cigar, where the Brazilian and Dominican leaves are in a tense, beautiful dialogue — the earthy, wild character of the Mata Fina pulling against the smoother, more refined Dominican filler. It’s not a blend that homogenizes; it’s a conversation, and it’s fascinating to listen in.
The final third is where the Escurio Gran Corona reveals its true intentions. The strength, which had been building like a slow tide, now surges noticeably, announcing the medium-full body with a firm hand. The flavors don’t fade; they distill. The coffee grounds turn intensely roasted, almost charred, while the dark earth becomes mineral and deep. The molasses sweetness from the earlier third returns, but now it’s darker, more treacly, coating the palate against the growing pepper bite. The leather note from the opening returns, but it’s no longer refined — it’s a full-on barnyard richness, a primal, earthy funk that is the unmistakable signature of Mata Fina. The smoke, which had been cool and creamy, now feels denser, more substantial. It finishes long, with a lingering charred wood and bitter chocolate that demands a moment of silence. This is not a cigar that fades into the background; it commands your attention to the very last puff, leaving a memory of smoke and earth that is hard to shake.
What makes this vitola so compelling is its pacing. The Gran Corona format — a 5.6 x 46 parejo — is a perfect stage for this blend. It’s long enough to allow the flavor arc to unfold naturally, but not so long that the intensity becomes exhausting. It’s a cigar that respects your time, delivering a complete, three-act story in under an hour and a half. In the context of Davidoff’s lineup, the Escurio is the black sheep that became the favorite. It’s the answer to the question of what happens when the world’s most precise cigar maker decides to let its hair down, and the result is a blend that feels both exotic and impeccably engineered. It’s a testament to the fact that even a controlled burn can produce a wild, untamed heart.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Brazilian Mata Fina — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Brazilian and Dominican Republic tobaccos, blended for complexity and balance |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Gran Corona |
| Size | 5.6 x 46 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $18–$22 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos are aged prior to blending; specific aging duration not publicly disclosed by Davidoff |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening delivers a rich, earthy blast of dark cocoa and espresso, undercut by a distinctive Brazilian leather note unique to Mata Fina. There is a subtle dried fruit sweetness — dark raisin or fig — that emerges quickly, along with a mild peppery tingle on the retrohale.
Second Third
The mid-section deepens considerably as cedar and toasted nuts come forward, complementing the ongoing espresso and cocoa base. A bittersweet dark chocolate note takes hold, and the pepper transitions from spicy to a smoky, smoldering quality. Complexity is at its peak here — earthy, woody, sweet, and savory notes in rotation.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with roasted coffee grounds, dark earth, and a lingering molasses sweetness. The Mata Fina wrapper asserts itself with a leathery, almost barnyard richness. Strength climbs noticeably toward the nub, finishing long and satisfying with charred wood and bitter chocolate on the palate.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is characteristically precise for Davidoff — the Gran Corona draws effortlessly with just the right amount of resistance, producing a thick, cool smoke. The burn line is razor-even, and the ash is firm and pale grey, holding well past the first inch.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Dark rum with significant age and complexity — Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva; alternatively a lightly peated Scotch single malt such as Glenfiddich 18 or Balvenie Caribbean Cask to echo the Brazilian fruit notes
Wine
A structured, fruit-forward red — Malbec from Mendoza (Achaval Ferrer, Catena Zapata) or a Zinfandel from Lodi to mirror the dark fruit and earthy tobacco character
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Brazilian or Ethiopian dark roast coffee, black or with a touch of raw sugar — the shared terroir of Brazilian coffee and Mata Fina tobacco creates a remarkable parallel
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a collector who has cut your teeth on the classic Davidoff Signature No. 2 and the Winston Churchill, appreciating their finesse but secretly craving a bit of grit. It’s a late Saturday afternoon, and you’ve just finished a long week of client meetings. You pour a glass of Zacapa 23 over a single large ice cube, settle into a leather armchair on your porch, and want a smoke that feels substantial — something that will make you lean forward, not back. You’re not looking for a nicotine nap, but you want a cigar that engages your palate with a story of dark earth and sweet tobacco, something that feels like a journey rather than a pleasant stroll. This is for the smoker who respects the craft of a perfect draw and a razor-sharp burn line, but who also wants to taste the wildness of Brazilian soil. It will reward you with a complex, evolving hour of contemplation, and it will leave you with the satisfying feeling that you’ve just smoked something that challenged the status quo of what a Davidoff can be.
Bottom Line
The Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona is a masterclass in blending, proving that the house’s precision can tame — but not neuter — the wild character of Brazilian Mata Fina. It’s a bold, beautifully constructed smoke that rewards attention and demands respect. For anyone who thinks Davidoff only makes mild, refined cigars, this is the definitive rebuttal.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Davidoff Escurio cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Medium-Full (4/5) on the strength scale. This means you will feel a noticeable nicotine presence, especially in the final third, where it climbs significantly. It’s not a nicotine bomb, but it’s not a morning smoke; it will produce a pleasant, warming buzz and a satisfying fullness on the palate, requiring a settled stomach and focused attention.
What does Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression of dark, earthy notes. The first third delivers dark cocoa, espresso, a distinctive Brazilian leather note, and a subtle raisin sweetness. The second third deepens with cedar, toasted almonds, and bittersweet dark chocolate, while the pepper shifts to a smoky smolder. The final third intensifies with roasted coffee grounds, dark earth, molasses, and a barnyard-like leather richness from the Mata Fina wrapper, finishing with charred wood and bitter chocolate.
How long does Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona take to smoke?
Given its Gran Corona vitola and dimensions of 5.6 inches by a 46-ring gauge, you should budget for a 60 to 75-minute smoking session. The draw is effortless and the burn is even, so it will progress at a steady, contemplative pace, allowing you to fully experience the flavor evolution without feeling rushed.
What is the best pairing for Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona?
A dark rum with significant age, such as Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, is an excellent choice. The rum’s inherent sweetness from molasses and its notes of dried fruit, caramel, and oak will mirror and amplify the cigar's own raisin, molasses, and toasted wood characteristics, creating a harmonious and luxurious pairing that enhances the cigar's rich, earthy profile.
Is Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. With a Medium-Full strength rating and a price point of $18–$22 per cigar, it is an investment best suited for the seasoned smoker. Its bold flavors of dark earth, leather, and espresso, along with a significant nicotine kick in the final third, could overwhelm a palate not yet accustomed to such intensity. A beginner should start with milder, more approachable blends before tackling this one.
Where can I buy Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona?
As a premium, high-tier cigar, the Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona is best purchased from authorized Davidoff retailers, which include high-end brick-and-mortar tobacconists and licensed online cigar merchants. You can use the store locator on the official Davidoff website to find a verified retailer near you, ensuring you receive an authentic, properly stored product.
What is the price of Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona?
The Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona is positioned in the premium tier, with a typical retail price ranging from $18 to $22 per cigar. This price reflects the use of the rare Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, the aged Dominican and Brazilian filler tobaccos, and the meticulous hand-rolling process at Davidoff's factory in the Dominican Republic.
Is Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged prior to blending, this cigar can benefit from additional aging. The bold, earthy characteristics of the Mata Fina wrapper and the blend's inherent strength will mellow and integrate further over time. A year or two of rest in a stable humidor could round off some of the sharper pepper notes and allow the sweetness to become more pronounced, though it is already highly enjoyable upon purchase.
What wrapper does Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona use?
The Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona uses a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, specifically in a Colorado Maduro shade. This wrapper is the defining feature of the blend, contributing a deep reddish-brown color, a semi-oily sheen, and a distinctive flavor profile of rich earth, leather, and a unique, slightly wild barnyard character that sets it apart from more traditional Dominican or Connecticut wrappers.
Where is Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona made?
The Davidoff Escurio Gran Corona is hand-rolled at Davidoff's Oettinger Davidoff factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This is the brand's primary production facility, where the blend is crafted using a Dominican binder and a mix of Brazilian and Dominican filler tobaccos, all brought together under the strict quality control and precise construction standards that Davidoff is known for.