Encore Black by Davidoff Toro Review

Overview

The Encore Black by Davidoff Toro represents a deliberate and compelling evolution within the Davidoff portfolio, a line extension of the acclaimed Encore series that first appeared around 2019–2020. While the original Encore established itself as a refined, medium-bodied expression of Nicaraguan tobacco, the Black iteration is unapologetically bolder, darker, and more brooding — a cigar that signals its intentions from the first visual impression. Cloaked in a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper of Colorado Maduro shade, the wrapper presents a deep reddish-brown to near-black complexion, slightly toothy with a natural sheen that hints at the complexity within. This is not a cigar designed for the timid; it is the Davidoff house’s answer to the connoisseur who demands more power without sacrificing the structural elegance that defines the brand’s production philosophy. Crafted at the STG/Oettinger Davidoff Group facility in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Encore Black is a study in disciplined blending. The filler draws exclusively from Nicaraguan long-fillers sourced from the Estelí and Jalapa valleys, each tobacco aged a minimum of three years before being hand-rolled into the 6 x 52 Toro vitola. The binder, also Nicaraguan Habano, works in concert with the wrapper to produce a cigar that is medium-full in strength — a measured 4 out of 5 on the intensity scale — yet never descends into harshness or one-dimensional power. The smoking experience is a carefully orchestrated journey. The first third opens with rich dark espresso, toasted cocoa, and a grounding earthiness, punctuated by black pepper on the retrohale. As cedar and leather emerge, the cigar settles into a rhythmic, confident pace. By the second third, the complexity deepens: dark chocolate, dried fig, and seasoned oak take center stage, with subtle notes of roasted nuts and dark molasses providing a counterpoint of sweetness. The pepper from the opening integrates rather than fades, offering backbone without aggression. The final third builds to a crescendo of deep, roasted coffee bean, dark leather, and a lingering cocoa bitterness — a masterclass in finish construction. The burn is exemplary, the draw just slightly resistant for ideal smoke production, and the ash holds in firm grey columns. In an increasingly crowded segment of medium-full Nicaraguan offerings, the Encore Black distinguishes itself not through novelty but through discipline. STG’s blending acumen yields a profile that is cleaner and more structured than many competitors at this $18–$24 price point. It punches above its tier, serving as both a serious, approachable gateway for those transitioning from medium-bodied cigars and a reliable rotation staple for experienced palates. This is a cigar built for the evening, for the weekend, for the smoker who understands that greatness requires patience.