Davidoff Escurio 10th Anniversary Limited Edition

Davidoff Escurio 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Gran Toro

The Davidoff Escurio 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Gran Toro marks a decade since the Swiss luxury brand introduced its first Brazilian tobacco blend, a cigar that brought the rhythm and vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro to the humidor. Released in 2025 as the second anniversary cigar in Davidoff’s Black Band Collection, this limited edition transforms the original Escurio formula through extended aging and bourbon cask finishing. Rolled at the TABADOM facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the blend features tobaccos with a combined age of 45 years, including a Dominican filler that rested six months in spent bourbon casks to add sweetness and depth beyond the original line’s capabilities.

Key Features

• Four-year-old Ecuadorian Habano wrapper providing dark, oily appearance and rich flavor foundation
• Nine-year-old Brazilian binder contributing earthy complexity and structural integrity
• Dominican filler aged six months in spent bourbon casks, adding vanilla, caramel, and oak characteristics
• Combined tobacco age of 45 years across all blend components
• Single Gran Toro vitola measuring 6 x 56 for approximately 70 minutes of smoking time
• Limited production of 15,700 boxes globally, with 3,750 boxes allocated to the United States
• Elegant high-gloss wooden boxes with black and emerald varnished finish, containing 12 cigars each

The Evolution of Escurio

When Davidoff launched the original Escurio in 2015, the brand made headlines by incorporating Brazilian tobacco for the first time in its portfolio. The name itself fuses “oscuro,” referencing dark wrapper shades, with “Rio,” honoring Rio de Janeiro’s cultural vibrancy that inspired the blend. The original line featured Brazilian Mata Fina and Cubra tobaccos alongside Dominican varieties, wrapped in dark Ecuadorian Habano leaf. This 10th Anniversary edition builds on that foundation while pushing into new territory through extended aging protocols and bourbon cask finishing techniques borrowed from spirits aging traditions.

The decision to age one Dominican filler in spent bourbon casks represents Davidoff’s willingness to experiment within its typically traditional framework. This process, which has gained popularity across the cigar industry in recent years, imparts sweetness, vanilla notes, and subtle oak characteristics that complement rather than dominate the tobacco’s natural flavors. The six-month resting period provides enough contact time for the tobacco to absorb barrel influences without becoming overwhelmed by wood tannins or alcohol residue.

Blend Composition and Construction

The blend architecture showcases Davidoff’s commitment to aged tobacco. The four-year-old Ecuadorian wrapper displays the dark, oily characteristics that defined the original Escurio aesthetic. Beneath lies a nine-year-old Brazilian binder that brings earthy depth and helps marry the filler components. The filler blend combines multiple Dominican leaves aged five to nine years with Brazilian tobacco aged nine years, creating complexity through both origin diversity and maturity levels.

The Gran Toro format measures 6 inches with a 56 ring gauge, a substantial size that has become increasingly popular for delivering full flavor without excessive smoking time. Construction quality reflects Davidoff’s reputation for precision, with firm, consistent density from head to foot. The triple cap application resists unraveling, and the draw typically presents ideal resistance. The wrapper shows minimal veining and smooth texture, indicating careful selection and proper fermentation.

Flavor Profile and Experience

The Escurio 10th Anniversary opens with creamy, toasty characteristics reminiscent of cappuccino, praline, and vanilla bean. These opening notes reflect the bourbon cask influence, providing sweetness that balances the Brazilian tobacco’s inherent spice. As the cigar progresses, oak becomes the dominant flavor, supported by classic Davidoff mushroom notes and wine-like sweetness. Natural tobacco and white pepper emerge in the background, adding dimension without aggression.

The middle section introduces leather, dried apricot, and licorice characteristics that showcase the aged Brazilian components. Cedar appears on the retrohale, joining the oak to create woodsy depth. The cigar maintains medium strength and body throughout, never threatening to overwhelm but providing enough substance to satisfy experienced palates. The bourbon cask influence remains present as subtle vanilla and caramel undertones that sweeten the profile without creating sugary excess.

The final third brings forward spicier intonations balanced by bittersweet chocolate, almond, and acacia honey notes. The oak characteristics intensify slightly while maintaining harmony with the other flavors. The finish remains clean and pleasant, with lingering impressions of wood, earth, and gentle sweetness. Smoking time typically extends to 70 minutes, providing ample opportunity to explore the cigar’s evolution from creamy opening to spiced conclusion.

Performance and Construction Quality

The Escurio 10th Anniversary delivers consistent performance characteristics expected from Davidoff production. The burn line tracks evenly with minimal correction needed, and the ash holds firm in light gray segments up to an inch before releasing. Draw resistance falls in the ideal range, producing voluminous smoke with moderate pull. The cold draw reveals oak with wine-like sweetness and mushroom notes that preview the smoking experience accurately.

Strength and body both register in the medium range from start to finish, with nominal increases in intensity that never push beyond moderate levels. This balanced approach makes the cigar accessible for various occasions, from afternoon sessions to evening enjoyment. The complexity level, while not matching Davidoff’s most intricate blends, provides enough interest to reward attention. Flavor intensity remains consistent throughout, delivering distinct tastes without becoming one-dimensional.

Black Band Collection Context

The Escurio 10th Anniversary represents the second anniversary limited edition in Davidoff’s Black Band Collection, following the Nicaragua 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. The Black Band series serves as Davidoff’s platform for bolder, more robust expressions compared to the refined elegance of White Label offerings. These cigars target enthusiasts seeking fuller flavors while maintaining the construction quality and consistency that define the Davidoff experience.

Within this context, the Escurio 10th Anniversary occupies middle ground between approachable and intense. It delivers more complexity than entry-level Black Band offerings while remaining more accessible than the most powerful expressions. The limited production numbers, combined with anniversary significance, position this as a collectible release that also smokes exceptionally well, avoiding the pitfall of cigars valued more for rarity than performance.

Summary

• Box Count: 12
• Region: Dominican Republic
• Strength: Medium to Medium-Full
• Binder: Brazilian (9 years aged)
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano (4 years aged)
• Filler: Dominican and Brazilian (5-9 years aged, bourbon cask-aged component)

Who should smoke the Escurio 10th Anniversary?

The Escurio 10th Anniversary suits Davidoff enthusiasts seeking the brand’s signature quality with more adventurous flavor characteristics than White Label offerings. Smokers who appreciate aged tobacco and bourbon cask finishing will find this blend compelling. Collectors drawn to limited edition releases with genuine smoking merit rather than purely speculative value should consider this anniversary cigar. The medium strength makes it accessible for various experience levels, while the complexity rewards attention from seasoned palates.

What makes the Escurio 10th Anniversary special?

The bourbon cask aging process distinguishes this release from typical Davidoff offerings, adding depth and sweetness that complement the Brazilian tobacco’s natural spice. The combined 45 years of tobacco aging represents exceptional patience in blend development, ensuring smoothness and refinement throughout the smoking experience. Limited production of 15,700 boxes globally creates genuine scarcity without artificial restriction. The elegant packaging and anniversary significance add collectible appeal to a cigar that delivers genuine smoking pleasure.

How does the Escurio 10th Anniversary compare to the original Escurio?

The 10th Anniversary edition presents a noticeably different profile from regular production Escurio cigars despite sharing similar tobacco origins. The extended aging mellows intensity while developing complexity, creating a more refined smoking experience. The bourbon cask component adds sweetness and vanilla characteristics absent in the original blend. The single Gran Toro format differs from the multiple vitolas offered in the core line, providing a specific expression rather than size variety. Reviewers consistently note that this anniversary release stands as its own entity rather than simply an aged version of the original.

What pairs well with the Escurio 10th Anniversary?

The bourbon cask influence makes aged bourbon or rye whiskey natural pairing choices, creating complementary oak, vanilla, and caramel echoes. Cognac works beautifully, with the brandy’s fruit and wood characteristics matching the cigar’s complexity. Strong espresso or cappuccino mirrors the coffee notes present in the first third. For beer enthusiasts, Baltic porter or imperial stout with chocolate and coffee characteristics pair well. The medium strength allows for versatile pairing options without requiring particularly bold beverages.

How should you store Escurio 10th Anniversary cigars?

Maintain the Escurio 10th Anniversary at 65 to 68 percent humidity for optimal performance. Davidoff cigars generally perform best at moderate humidity levels that preserve construction integrity without excessive moisture. Store at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent flavor degradation. These cigars arrive ready to smoke but benefit from rest periods of two to four weeks after shipping to allow flavors to stabilize. The extended aging already applied means these cigars require no additional cellaring, though they will maintain quality for years when properly stored.

Why choose the Escurio 10th Anniversary over other limited editions?

The Escurio 10th Anniversary delivers genuine innovation through bourbon cask aging rather than relying solely on packaging or scarcity to justify limited edition status. Davidoff’s reputation for quality control ensures consistent performance across production, reducing the batch variation that affects some limited releases. The 45 years of combined tobacco aging represents verifiable investment in blend development rather than marketing claims. The medium strength profile makes this more accessible than many limited editions that chase intensity over balance.

Does the Escurio 10th Anniversary justify the premium pricing?

The Escurio 10th Anniversary carries premium pricing typical of Davidoff limited editions, placing it in the luxury category. The extensive tobacco aging, bourbon cask finishing, and limited production numbers contribute to higher costs compared to regular production cigars. Reviewers note solid performance with 88-point ratings, indicating quality smoking experiences without reaching exceptional territory. The value proposition depends on individual priorities, with collectors and Davidoff enthusiasts finding justification in rarity and brand prestige, while budget-conscious smokers may prefer regular production alternatives offering similar smoking times at lower costs.

What is the significance of the Black Band Collection?

Davidoff’s Black Band Collection represents the brand’s departure from its traditional white-banded elegance toward bolder, more robust expressions. Launched with the Nicaragua line, Black Band cigars target enthusiasts seeking fuller flavors while maintaining Davidoff’s construction standards and quality consistency. The Escurio introduced Brazilian tobacco to the Davidoff portfolio, expanding flavor possibilities beyond traditional Dominican and Nicaraguan sources. The Black Band designation signals to consumers that these cigars offer more intensity than White Label offerings, creating clear product differentiation within the portfolio.