Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition Escurio

A $55.50 culebra in today’s market seems like an ambitious ask, but that’s exactly what Davidoff did earlier this year when it launched the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition.

That ambitious ask has turned into more of a headache than Davidoff ever could have imaged. The company opted to sell the culebras only its flagship stores in the U.S., which are mostly owned by Davidoff’s parent company, and not to its appointed merchants. Some of those retailers complained, a few complained more passionately, all over a $55 limited edition culebra.

As for the actual cigar, or cigars, it’s a trio of 6 1/2 x 33 vitolas in the unusual culebra formation. A combination of three cigars that are twisted together and then bound with ribbon at both the head and the foot. The cigars are meant to be smoked individually, something that’s even more pertinent when you consider that three individual cigars are actually three different blends.

Each come from Davidoff’s Discovery Series, the black-banded Davidoff products that have been introduced over the last few years. One is Nicaragua, the other Escurio and the final part is Yamasá. Escurio is the company’s tribute to Brazil first introduced in 2015. It uses an Ecuadorian habano wrapper, Cuban-seed Brazilian binder and five filler tobaccos: Brazilian mata fina and Cuban-seed visos, Dominican San Vicente seco, piloto seco and a hybrid olor/piloto seco.

The Davidoff Escurio line now stands at seven sizes:

• Davidoff Escurio Petit Robusto (3 1/4 x 50, $8.50) — July 2015 — Regular Production
• Davidoff Escurio Robusto (4 1/2 x 54, $15.90) — July 2015 — Regular Production
• Davidoff Escurio Gran Toro (5 1/2 x 58, $17.90) — July 2015 — Regular Production
• Davidoff Escurio Corona Gorda (6 x 46, $15.90) — June 2016 — Regular Production
• Davidoff Escurio Gran Perfecto (5 x 61/50, $16.90) — June 2016 — Regular Production
• Davidoff Escurio 6 x 60 ($19.20) — April 2017 — 2,250 Boxes of 12 Cigars (27,000 Total Cigars)
• Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition Escurio (6 1/2 x 33, $18.50) — April 2017 — 400 Boxes of 24 Coffins (3,200 Total Cigars)

In addition, there are two Escurio cigarillos, though they are not the same blend.

• Cigar Reviewed: Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition Escurio
• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Factory: Cigars Davidoff
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
• Binder: Brazilian Cubra
• Filler: Brazilian Cubra, Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Olor & Dominican San Vicente
• Length: 6 1/2 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 33
• Vitola: Culebra
• MSRP: $18.50 (Coffins of 3, $55.50)
• Release Date: April 2016
• Number of Cigars Released: 400 Boxes of 24 Coffins (3,200 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

While the cigars have been stored in a coffin since arriving at our office, there’s really not much aroma left off the wrapper. I’m honestly not sure whether the smells I’m getting from the wrapper of the cigar are due more to do with what’s actually on the cigar versus my hand soap and the other aromas floating around in the air. There’s certainly a distinct smell from the foot: lots of floral notes, sweet walnuts and some Spanish cedar. That flavor dominance continues into the cold draw, a bit sweeter and like bubble gum, again over some Spanish cedar.

The Escurio Culebra starts in the same vein as the cold draw with lemons, earthiness and some espresso ice cream. On one sample, I pick up a bit of soap, but it’s nowhere to be found on the other two samples. The first third is interesting and eventually all three cigars have a base that is best described like a cheap corn taco shell, earthiness and a watermelon Jolly Rancher. Those three flavors stand out in front of some creaminess, popcorn and a mustiness that indicates there is probably olor in this blend. There’s not any pepper to speak of, though I do get some paprika spiciness on the back of the tongue. Body is medium, strength is medium and flavor is medium-full.

While construction was great or the first third, shortly after entering the second third each sample goes out. I’m not sure what exactly causes this; I certainly didn’t adjust my puff rate and it wasn’t in the exact same place every time, but each cigar experienced it in the second third. After a full relight and another touch-up, redwoods become the distinct flavor over some leather, creaminess and a peppermint. Two samples require yet another significant use of the lighter before the final third, while one sample manages to make it through.

After fighting with the burn a bit, the final third of the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition Escurio greets me with some pleasantness. There’s white pepper, toastiness and some pistachio shells, however, unfortunately at the inch and a half mark, familiar olor flavors break through the profile and provide some bitter flavors. It manages to avoid turning bitter overall, but it’s an unpleasant end to an otherwise decent cigar.

Final Notes

• Complaining about not being able to sell culebras is comical. I understand for some retailers this is probably more about the principle than the lost sales, but it’s still bizarre. There are cigars that sell; cigars that don’t sell and then lanceros and culebras.
• Looking at the prices of Escurios, I’m reminded just how expensive Davidoff cigars have gotten. I think we’ve been lucky, or at least jaded, for much of the last five years. While most other manufacturers drastically raised prices, Davidoff took a somewhat moderate approach. Three years ago, there were brand new, relatively unheard of companies making $14 cigars, i.e. cigars that cost as much as many Davidoffs. Over the last two years, a variety of price increases have once again led to there being a separation between Davidoff and the rest of the industry when it comes to price.
• I was going to write that this was the first Dominican-made culebra I’ve smoked, but then I remembered that I’ve had Davidoff’s Special C, which was discontinued in 2013, and a variety of La Flor Dominicana culebras. Needless to say, I feel pretty confident saying this is the first time I’ve smoked a Dominican-made culebra in the last three years.
• On that note, Escurio seems to have really taken a back seat in Davidoff’s portfolio, something I imagine that will be even further reinforced with a new Winston Churchill being released.
• The relights were annoying and coincidentally, the second third was easily the most boring part of the cigar.
• Furthermore, this isn’t what I’ve come to know and expect from Davidoff. The relights are not something you should be dealing with on a $18.50 cigar.
• I’ve smoked the other two blends, and I’d say that Yamasá is the best of the bunch with Nicaragua being an easy second and the Escurio being notably worse than the other two. I think there’s one excellent cigar, one good cigar and one decent cigar.
• Davidoff of Geneva USA advertises on halfwheel.
• Cigars for this review were provided to halfwheel by Davidoff of Geneva USA.
• While the other two culebras in the coffin burned quite quick naturally, this took an hour and 20 minutes on average.
• If you would like to purchase any of the Davidoff Culebras Limited Edition coffins, the only place you can get them is at a Davidoff of Geneva — since 1911 flagship store or online at Davidoff’s website.