AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, usually around 10 p.m., when the day’s noise finally thins and the palate craves something with a pulse. The Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona is built for that exact sliver of evening. It arrives with a wrapper the color of dark roast beans, faintly toothy under the fingertips, and a pre-light aroma that smells like the inside of a cedar humidor that once held coffee beans. This is not the Davidoff of your father’s golf course; this is the house of Zino proving it can speak in a lower register without losing its diction.
The first third hits like a shot of espresso poured over a cube of dark chocolate. Roasted coffee leads, but it is immediately braced by dry leather and a cedar backbone that keeps the intensity honest. There is a toasted bread note underneath, like the heel of a sourdough loaf pulled from a wood-fired oven, and a mild white pepper that tingles the retrohale without burning. The strength is present from the first inch — medium-full, assertive — but it is not brutish. It is the confidence of a blend that knows exactly where it is going.
By the second third, the narrative shifts from declaration to conversation. The pepper softens, and in its place, dark dried fruit emerges — fig and raisin, not sweet but deeply fruited, like a compote reduced with balsamic. The espresso deepens into a bittersweet cocoa that coats the tongue, while the earthiness rises from the base, turning the smoke’s texture oily and rich. The cedar recedes but never disappears, holding the structure together like a quiet moderator. This is where the Petit Corona proves its pedigree: in a smaller ring gauge, lesser blends turn harsh or hollow. Here, the flavors compress and intensify, each note distinct yet woven into a single, coherent voice.
The final third is a study in controlled gravity. Dark roast coffee returns with authority, joined by charred oak and a leather that has turned slightly smoky. The strength peaks, but a lingering molasses sweetness — subtle, not cloying — tempers the edge. The finish is long, dry, and satisfying, ending with a touch of dark spice that lingers on the lips like a memory of the evening. The burn remains remarkably even for a 42-ring vitola, and the ash holds in a tight, pale grey column that requires no fussing. In a 50-minute session, this cigar delivers a complete arc: bold opening, complex middle, resolute end. It is a masterclass in how to make a short smoke feel like a full journey, and it cements the Late Hour as Davidoff’s most convincing argument for those who thought the brand could not go dark.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, selected from aged tobaccos blended for the Late Hour line |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic (Davidoff's Oettinger Davidoff facility) |
| Vitola / Shape | Petit Corona |
| Size | 4.5 x 42 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; specific aging duration not publicly disclosed by Davidoff |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening is assertive and immediate — roasted coffee, dark cocoa, and dry leather establish the Late Hour character quickly. A cedar backbone provides structure alongside a hint of toasted bread and mild white pepper on the retrohale.
Second Third
Complexity deepens as dark dried fruit — fig and raisin — emerges alongside continuing espresso and bittersweet chocolate notes. The pepper softens slightly but earthiness increases, with a rich, slightly oily mouthfeel that coats the palate.
Final Third
The final third intensifies predictably — dark roast coffee, charred oak, and leather dominate. A lingering sweetness of molasses tempers the strength, and the finish is long, dry, and satisfying with a touch of dark spice.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Davidoff's construction standards are evident — the draw is precise with moderate resistance, burn line stays remarkably even for a smaller ring gauge, and the ash holds firm in a tight, pale grey column. No touch-ups required in typical conditions.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Scotch whisky — particularly a Speyside single malt such as Glenfarclas 15 or Glenfiddich 18 — or a neat Nicaraguan rum like Flor de Caña 18 Year
Wine
A structured Rioja Gran Reserva (Tempranillo-dominant) or a California Cabernet Sauvignon with firm tannins
Non-Alcoholic
Double espresso or a cold brew concentrate — the cigar's roasted core harmonizes exceptionally well with high-quality dark-roast coffee
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a seasoned smoker who has spent years chasing strength in maduro-wrapped monsters, but lately you have grown tired of one-dimensional pepper bombs. You have a shelf of aged Flor de Caña rum and a bottle of Glenfarclas 15 that you save for nights when the house is quiet. It is 9:45 p.m., you have exactly one hour before you need to be functional tomorrow, and you want something that respects your time but does not insult your palate. You have dismissed Davidoff as too refined, too polite, too Swiss. This cigar is for that moment of reckoning. It will not overwhelm you with brute force, but it will remind you that restraint and intensity are not opposites. You will finish it, stub it out, and sit in the dark for a few minutes longer, realizing you have just found your new nightcap.
Bottom Line
The Late Hour Petit Corona is the rare short smoke that delivers a full-bodied arc without a single dull moment. It is Davidoff’s boldest statement in a compact format, and it will convert skeptics who thought the brand could not go dark. Buy a fiver; your evenings will thank you.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Davidoff Late Hour cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Medium-Full (4/5). Physically, you will feel a noticeable nicotine presence from the first third, with a warming sensation in the chest and a slight buzz if smoked on an empty stomach. It is assertive but not punishing, and the strength builds steadily toward the final third without ever becoming harsh.
What does Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona taste like?
The first third opens with roasted coffee, dark cocoa, dry leather, cedar, toasted bread, and mild white pepper on the retrohale. The second third introduces fig and raisin, deepening espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and increased earthiness. The final third is dominated by dark roast coffee, charred oak, leather, and a lingering molasses sweetness with a touch of dark spice.
How long does Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona take to smoke?
Expect a 45-to-55-minute smoke. The Petit Corona vitola (4.5 x 42) burns efficiently, and with Davidoff’s construction, the draw is moderate and even, so you will not need to relight or fuss with touch-ups. This makes it ideal for a focused evening session.
What is the best pairing for Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona?
Aged Scotch whisky, specifically a Speyside single malt like Glenfarclas 15 or Glenfiddich 18. The whisky’s sherried sweetness and soft oak mirror the cigar’s dried fruit and cedar notes, while its moderate proof (40-43% ABV) cleanses the palate without overpowering the medium-full strength. Alternatively, a neat Nicaraguan rum like Flor de Caña 18 Year amplifies the dark roast and molasses character.
Is Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner cigar. The Medium-Full strength can overwhelm newer smokers, and the $14–$18 per cigar price point is steep for someone still exploring. Beginners should start with milder Davidoff offerings like the Signature or Anniversario lines before stepping up to the Late Hour’s assertive profile.
Where can I buy Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona?
This cigar is available at premium brick-and-mortar tobacconists that carry Davidoff’s full portfolio, as well as authorized online retailers like Neptune Cigars, Corona Cigar Co., or Davidoff’s own e-commerce site. Due to its popularity, it is often in stock, but buying a box (typically 25 cigars) may require pre-ordering from smaller shops.
What is the price of Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona?
The retail price is $14–$18 per cigar, depending on your local tax rate and the retailer. This places it in the premium tier, but it is one of the more accessible Late Hour vitolas, offering the full blend experience at a lower cost than larger formats like the Toro or Churchill.
Is Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona worth aging?
Yes, but with caveats. The tobaccos are already aged prior to rolling, so the blend is well-integrated out of the box. However, the Nicaraguan Sun-Grown wrapper has enough structure to benefit from 1–3 years of humidor rest, which will soften the white pepper and allow the dried fruit and molasses notes to deepen. Beyond 5 years, the strength may mellow too much, so do not cellar it indefinitely.
What wrapper does Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Sun-Grown wrapper in a Colorado shade, which is a medium-dark brown with a subtle sheen and slight toothiness. This wrapper contributes the cigar’s assertive roasted coffee, dark cocoa, and leather notes, as well as a touch of natural sweetness that balances the strength.
Where is Davidoff Late Hour Petit Corona made?
It is hand-rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at Davidoff’s Oettinger Davidoff facility. This is the same factory that produces the brand’s premium lines, and the construction reflects that pedigree — precise draw, even burn, and a firm ash. The blend uses Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, all aged before rolling.