AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about halfway through the Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto, when the cigar stops being a conversation and becomes a statement. The Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, that deep mahogany leaf with its fine tooth and faint oil sheen, has been simmering beneath the surface, and now it steps forward. The cocoa that opened the smoke—a dark, roasted espresso bite on the first light—transforms into something denser, an unsweetened baking chocolate that clings to the palate. It is not a subtle shift. It is the blend announcing its thesis: that Brazilian tobacco, often relegated to a supporting role, can carry a Davidoff without losing the brand's architectural precision. The Short Robusto, at 4.5 x 50, is the perfect stage for this argument. The shorter format compresses the smoking arc, forcing the flavors to arrive with urgency rather than patience. What the Gran Toro stretches over ninety minutes, this vitola delivers in a focused, forty-five-minute crescendo. The cold draw hints at dark cocoa and dried fig, a promise of sweetness that the first third complicates with a surge of roasted espresso and a leathery, earthy depth. The retrohale carries a subtle black pepper, a gentle warning that this is not the cool, creamy Davidoff of the Signature line. By the second third, the barnyard leather and toasted cedar weave through the deepening chocolate, and a dried cherry or raisin fruitiness emerges at the midpoint, adding a tart counterpoint to the richness. The texture turns creamy, almost buttery, which is a surprise given the medium-full strength that hums beneath it. The final third tightens the screws: concentrated espresso, dark earth, and a warming spice that builds without ever turning harsh. The leather and cocoa remain, but the finish is long and dry, a persistent mocha aftertaste that lingers well after the ash is tapped. The construction is flawless, as expected—a slightly resistant draw that produces a dense, cool smoke, a firm ash that holds past an inch, a burn line that never wavers. This is a cigar that rewards attention. It is not a background smoke. It demands you sit with it, watch the smoke curl, and let the Brazilian sun and Dominican soil resolve their differences in your mouth. The Escurio line was a calculated risk for Davidoff in 2015, a departure from the brand's Dominican-forward identity. The Short Robusto is the proof that the risk paid off. It is the sleeper vitola of the lineup, the one that concentrates the blend's intensity into a format that feels both complete and urgent. For the Davidoff loyalist who has always wanted more body without sacrificing refinement, this is the answer. For the boutique smoker who has dismissed Davidoff as too polished, this is the rebuttal.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Brazilian Mata Fina — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican |
| Filler | Brazilian and Dominican long-fillers, selected for compatibility with the Mata Fina wrapper |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic (Davidoff's Oettinger-Imex factory) |
| Vitola / Shape | Short Robusto |
| Size | 4.5 x 50 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $18–$22 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; specific duration not publicly disclosed by Davidoff |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw hints at dark cocoa and dried fig before the light reveals an immediate surge of roasted espresso and Brazilian dark chocolate. A leathery base supports pronounced earthy depth, with subtle black pepper on the retrohale.
Second Third
The Mata Fina asserts itself fully here — rich cocoa deepens toward unsweetened baking chocolate, while notes of toasted cedar and barnyard leather weave in. A subtle fruitiness, reminiscent of dried cherry or raisin, emerges at the midpoint with a creamy texture developing on the palate.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with concentrated espresso and dark earth, a warming spice building gradually without becoming harsh. Leather and dark cocoa remain dominant as the blend tightens beautifully, finishing long and dry with a persistent mocha aftertaste.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is typically excellent, as expected from Davidoff — the draw is slightly resistant (ideal), producing a dense, slightly cool smoke with a tight, firm ash that holds well past an inch. The burn line is straight and even throughout.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum with Brazilian or Caribbean character — Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva; alternatively a peated single malt Scotch like Lagavulin 16 to counterpoint the chocolate notes
Wine
A fruit-forward, full-bodied red with dark berry character — Argentine Malbec (Achaval Ferrer) or a Châteauneuf-du-Pape with garrigue earthiness
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Brazilian dark roast coffee — black, no sugar — or a cold brew concentrate to echo and amplify the mocha core of the blend
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a smoker who has cut your teeth on Padrón's earthy strength and Fuente's honeyed complexity, but you have begun to find their larger formats exhausting. It is a Tuesday afternoon, and you have exactly fifty minutes before a call you cannot postpone. You want something that will not waste your time with a slow, meandering build. You want a cigar that opens with intent and finishes with authority. You have a bottle of Ron Zacapa 23 on the shelf, and you know it needs a partner that can stand up to its sweetness without being overwhelmed. This Short Robusto is that partner. It will give you the full Escurio experience—the Brazilian Mata Fina's chocolate and earth, the Dominican binder's structure—without asking for a ninety-minute commitment. You will finish it feeling satisfied, not rushed, and you will understand why Davidoff took the risk on Brazilian tobacco. You are not a beginner, but you are not a veteran either. You are someone who knows what you like and is ready to be surprised.
Bottom Line
The Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto is a masterclass in compression, delivering the full Brazilian-forward intensity of the Escurio line in a format that respects your time. It is the sleeper vitola of the lineup, and the one that proves Davidoff can do bold without losing its soul. Buy a fiver, smoke one now, and save the rest for a day when you need a reminder that refinement and power are not opposites.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Davidoff Escurio cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Medium-Full (4/5) on Davidoff's strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a noticeable nicotine presence from the first third, a gentle warmth in the chest and a slight buzz that builds steadily. It is not a nicotine bomb, but it is not a morning smoke. The strength is balanced by the creamy texture and the sweetness of the dried fruit, so it never feels harsh, but you should not smoke it on an empty stomach if you are sensitive to medium-full cigars.
What does Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto taste like?
The flavor progression is a study in chocolate and earth. The first third opens with roasted espresso, dark cocoa, and a leathery base with subtle black pepper on the retrohale. The second third deepens into unsweetened baking chocolate, toasted cedar, and barnyard leather, with a dried cherry or raisin fruitiness emerging at the midpoint. The final third concentrates into espresso and dark earth, with a warming spice that builds without harshness, finishing long and dry with a persistent mocha aftertaste.
How long does Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto take to smoke?
Given its Short Robusto vitola and 4.5 x 50 dimensions, you should expect a 45-to-55-minute smoke. The draw is slightly resistant, which produces a dense, cool smoke and slows the burn slightly, but the shorter length means you are not committing to a 90-minute session. This is a focused, deliberate smoke that fits neatly into a lunch break or a late-afternoon pause.
What is the best pairing for Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto?
An aged rum with Brazilian or Caribbean character, such as Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, is the ideal match. The rum's inherent sweetness and notes of caramel and dried fruit will echo the cigar's cocoa and raisin notes, while its body will stand up to the medium-full strength. If you prefer Scotch, a peated single malt like Lagavulin 16 provides a smoky counterpoint that cuts through the chocolate and adds a layer of complexity. For a non-alcoholic option, a single-origin Brazilian dark roast coffee, black and unsweetened, will amplify the mocha core of the blend.
Is Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto good for beginners?
Honestly, no. At Medium-Full strength and $18–$22 per cigar, this is not a beginner's smoke. The nicotine presence is noticeable, and the flavor profile—dominated by dark chocolate, espresso, and earth—is challenging for a palate still learning to identify subtle notes. A beginner would be better served by a milder Davidoff like the Signature or the Anniversario. This cigar is for the smoker who has already developed a palate for strength and complexity and is looking for a refined expression of both.
Where can I buy Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto?
As a premium, tier-one cigar, the Escurio Short Robusto is available at authorized Davidoff retailers, including dedicated Davidoff lounges and high-end tobacconists. It is also sold through reputable online cigar merchants that carry the Davidoff brand. Given its price point, you should avoid discount retailers or auction sites, as the risk of counterfeit or improperly stored product is not worth the savings. Check Davidoff's official website for a list of authorized dealers in your region.
What is the price of Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto?
The retail price is between $18 and $22 per cigar, depending on your local market and the retailer. This places it firmly in the premium tier, consistent with Davidoff's positioning and the quality of the Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper and Dominican long-fillers. You are paying for the brand's rigorous quality control, the hand-rolled construction, and the aging process that the tobaccos undergo prior to rolling.
Is Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto worth aging?
The tobaccos are aged prior to rolling, but Davidoff does not disclose the specific duration. The Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper is a hearty leaf that can benefit from additional rest, but the blend is already well-integrated. I would recommend smoking one now to understand its current profile, then aging a few for 1–2 years to see if the earthiness deepens and the pepper softens. Beyond that, the flavors may begin to mute, as the shorter format does not have the same aging potential as a larger vitola. This is a cigar to enjoy in the near term, not to bury for a decade.
What wrapper does Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto use?
It uses a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper in a Colorado Maduro shade. This wrapper is the defining feature of the Escurio line. Mata Fina is known for its dark, oily appearance and its ability to impart a rich, earthy sweetness with notes of chocolate and leather. The Colorado Maduro shade indicates a deep mahogany brown color with a lightly oily texture and a fine tooth, which contributes to the cigar's complexity and its medium-full strength profile.
Where is Davidoff Escurio Short Robusto made?
It is hand-rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at Davidoff's Oettinger-Imex factory. This is the same facility that produces the brand's other premium lines, and it is known for its rigorous quality control and exacting standards. The cigar features a triple cap and a slightly resistant draw, both hallmarks of the factory's attention to detail. The binder is Dominican, and the filler is a blend of Brazilian and Dominican long-fillers selected specifically for their compatibility with the Mata Fina wrapper.