AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet rebellion in smoking a Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2. In an era where the market screams for pepper bombs and maduro bruisers, this Robusto whispers. It is not a cigar of arrival, but of return — for the smoker who has traversed the full spectrum of strength and now seeks the vanishing point where subtlety becomes its own form of power. The Grand Cru line, born in the 1970s as Davidoff’s Swiss-numbered declaration of independence from Cuban orthodoxy, finds its most concentrated argument in this modern 5 x 50 format. The vitola is a departure from the line’s traditional lanceros, but it is a necessary one: it gives the blend room to breathe, to unfold its narrative at a pace that demands patience rather than endurance.
The pre-light ritual sets the tone. The Olor Dominicano wrapper is a study in restraint — a light golden-tan leaf, silky to the touch, with the dry sheen of aged parchment. Cold draw offers a whisper of hay and faint sweetness, a promise of the delicacy to come. The first third opens with an almost shocking smoothness, a creaminess that coats the palate before the first note even registers. Then comes the cedar — not the aggressive, green wood of youth, but toasted, refined, as if it had been aged in a furniture maker’s workshop. White pepper dances on the retrohale, precise and tingling, never harsh. A floral note, dried jasmine or perhaps chamomile, weaves through the smoke, marking this unmistakably as Davidoff’s signature refinement. The strength is present but civilized, a gentle hand on the shoulder rather than a grip.
As the ash holds firm — a dense, pale column that seems almost engineered — the second third deepens the conversation. Roasted almond emerges, not as a fleeting suggestion but as a sustained, nutty backbone. Light espresso follows, but it is the espresso of a morning café in Milan, bright and nuanced, not the dark, brooding roast of a late-night digestif. The pastry note arrives: buttered brioche with a dusting of cocoa, evoking a patisserie display case. Beneath it all, a gentle earthiness surfaces — dry limestone and aged tobacco leaf, a mineral foundation that grounds the blend without ever turning muddy. The retrohale maintains its white pepper tingle, now joined by a distinct minerality, like the finish of a great Chablis.
The final third transitions with the grace of a well-rehearsed sonata. Warm baking spices — cinnamon and nutmeg — rise over a base of toasted oak and supple leather. The creaminess persists but gains body, a silk that has become velvet. The finish is long, clean, and dry, leaving a lingering cedar and almond aftertaste that invites the next draw even as the cigar nears its end. The strength never climbs above a comfortable medium, a testament to the blend’s discipline. This is a cigar that respects its own limits, understanding that true complexity is not found in volume but in the precise arrangement of quiet notes. It is a contemplative smoke, best enjoyed in the unhurried hours of a late morning or early afternoon, when the mind is clear and the palate is uncluttered. The Grand Cru No. 2 is not a statement; it is a meditation.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Dominican Republic, Olor Dominicano (shade-grown) — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic (aged Olor and Piloto Cubano), blend of aged long-fillers |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic (La Romana/General Cigar factory, Davidoff production) |
| Vitola / Shape | Robusto |
| Size | 5.0 x 50 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $28–$35 per cigar |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of three years before rolling; Davidoff maintains proprietary aging protocols at their Dominican |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with exceptional smoothness — delicate cream, white pepper on the retrohale, and toasted cedar. A faint floral note, reminiscent of dried jasmine or hay, distinguishes itself immediately as hallmark Davidoff refinement. Strength is controlled and civilized from the first draw.
Second Third
The palate deepens into roasted almond, light espresso, and golden pastry — think buttered brioche with a dusting of cocoa. A gentle earthiness, like dry limestone and aged tobacco leaf, adds complexity without aggression. Retrohale delivers a consistent white pepper tingle with minerality.
Final Third
Transitions into warm baking spice — subtle cinnamon and nutmeg — over a base of toasted oak and leather. The creaminess persists but takes on more body. Finish is long, clean, and dry with a lingering cedar and almond aftertaste. Strength never climbs above a comfortable medium.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is impeccable — this is Davidoff, and the Grand Cru represents their benchmark standard. The draw is effortless, almost engineered, and the burn line is razor-straight with a firm, dense ash that holds for an inch or more. Smoke production is moderate and silky.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cognac (Rémy Martin XO or Hennessy Paradis) or a light, floral single malt Scotch (Auchentoshan 18 or Glenkinchie 12) — the cigar's delicacy demands a spirit that complements rather than overwhelms
Wine
A white Burgundy (Meursault Premier Cru) or a lightly oaked Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet; alternatively a delicate Pinot Noir from Gevrey-Chambertin village level
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian pour-over coffee (Yirgacheffe) with its natural citrus and floral aromatics, or a high-grade Taiwanese Oolong — both echo the cigar's creamy, nuanced mid-palate
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of Liga Privadas and Padrón 1964s, who has chased the nicotine rush and now finds himself reaching for something else before noon. He is a man in his late forties, perhaps, who has just finished a demanding quarter at work and has carved out a rare Thursday morning for himself. He pours a glass of Auchentoshan 18, sits on his quiet patio, and wants a cigar that will not shout over his thoughts but will instead provide a counterpoint to them. He already appreciates the intellectual complexity of a well-aged Connecticut, but he craves something with more structure, more defined transitions. This Robusto will give him a 50-minute arc of precise, evolving flavor — a cigar that rewards his attention without demanding it, that offers enough nuance to keep him engaged but enough restraint to let him think. It is not for the novice seeking a nicotine hit, nor for the enthusiast who equates strength with quality. It is for the smoker who has already smoked everything and now wants precision over power.
Bottom Line
The Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) is a masterclass in controlled complexity, a cigar that proves mildness can be a virtue rather than a compromise. It is an essential benchmark for any serious collector, a reference point for what Dominican blending can achieve. Smoke it when you want to remember why you started this journey.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Davidoff Grand Cru cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means the nicotine delivery is gentle and gradual, unlikely to cause any lightheadedness even on an empty stomach. The strength is present enough to provide a satisfying body, but it never climbs above a comfortable medium, making it an ideal choice for a morning or early afternoon session.
What does Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) taste like?
The flavor progression is precise and layered. The first third opens with delicate cream, toasted cedar, white pepper on the retrohale, and a faint dried jasmine or hay note. The second third deepens into roasted almond, light espresso, buttered brioche with a dusting of cocoa, and a dry limestone earthiness. The final third transitions to warm cinnamon and nutmeg over toasted oak and leather, with a long, clean finish of cedar and almond.
How long does Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) take to smoke?
Given its Robusto vitola (5.0 x 50), you should expect a smoking time of approximately 45 to 55 minutes. This estimate assumes a moderate, contemplative puffing pace, which is the ideal way to experience this cigar's subtle transitions. A faster cadence will shorten the experience, but you would miss the nuanced evolution of the blend.
What is the best pairing for Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto)?
An aged Cognac like Rémy Martin XO or Hennessy Paradis is the classic choice, as its rich, dried-fruit and oak notes complement the cigar's creaminess without overwhelming it. For a lighter alternative, a floral single malt Scotch such as Auchentoshan 18 or Glenkinchie 12 works beautifully, echoing the cigar's delicate jasmine and hay notes. The key is to choose a spirit that matches the cigar's finesse, not one that will bulldoze it.
Is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) good for beginners?
While its Mild-Medium strength is approachable, the $28–$35 per cigar price point makes it a significant investment for someone still exploring their palate. A beginner might not yet appreciate the cigar's subtle transitions and could find the experience underwhelming compared to bolder, more overtly flavored smokes. It is better suited for the smoker who has developed a baseline appreciation for nuance and is ready to explore the upper echelons of refinement.
Where can I buy Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto)?
As a Prestige-tier cigar, it is best sourced from authorized Davidoff retailers, which include high-end brick-and-mortar tobacconists and their online counterparts. You can also find it at specialty cigar lounges that carry the full Davidoff line. Be wary of unauthorized discounters, as proper storage is critical to preserving this cigar's delicate wrapper and aged filler blend.
What is the price of Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto)?
The retail price is typically between $28 and $35 per cigar. This premium reflects the use of tobaccos aged a minimum of three years, the hand-rolling process at the Davidoff-operated facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and the brand's rigorous quality control standards. It is positioned as a special-occasion smoke, not an everyday indulgence.
Is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) worth aging?
Yes, but with a caveat. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of three years before rolling, so the cigar is released in a state of considerable readiness. However, the Olor Dominicano wrapper and the aged long-filler blend have the structural integrity to benefit from additional humidor time. One to three years of further aging will likely soften the white pepper edge and allow the cream and baking spice notes to meld further, though the cigar is already excellent upon purchase.
What wrapper does Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) use?
It uses a Dominican Republic, Olor Dominicano (shade-grown) wrapper. This wrapper is a light golden-tan (Colorado Claro) leaf, known for its silky texture and dry, refined sheen. Shade-growing produces a thinner, more delicate leaf that contributes the cigar's hallmark creaminess, subtle floral notes, and gentle white pepper, without overpowering the aged filler blend.
Where is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 (Robusto) made?
It is hand-rolled at the Davidoff-operated facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, which is part of the La Romana/General Cigar factory complex. This is Davidoff's dedicated production facility, where they maintain proprietary aging protocols for their tobaccos. The Grand Cru line is one of the brand's oldest and most storied series, and this Robusto is a modern vitola addition to the traditionally lancero-format line.