Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Davidoff Grand Cru No. 3 is dark tan and has a couple of decently sized and raised veins running down one side and a network of fine veins throughout. The seams are very smooth and the caps are expertly applied. There are two bands, with the primary being the traditional white label design and the secondary carrying the same color combination and denoting the line. The aroma from the wrapper is a light, dry hay while the foot brings a mix of wood and earth. The pre-light draw brings a very musty cedar along with a mild spiciness on my lips.

First Third

The cigar begins with musty cedar and a light burning paper note. At a half inch in, the burning paper note is now quite faint as a light mushroom note has joined the musty cedar. The retrohale brings a fuller combination of the mushroom mustiness and cedar. The cigar wraps up with mushroom mustiness and lightly toasted cedar. The strength in this third was mild.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the mushroom mustiness has a slight lead over the toasted cedar. The retrohale is now a more muddled mix of the mushroom mustiness and cedar. As the third comes to a close, the mushroom component of the mustiness has become faint while the toasted cedar is now even with the mistiness. The strength in this third bumped up to mild-medium.

Final Third

The final third begins with the cedar taking on a heavier toast and having a bit of a lead over the mustiness. At three quarters of an inch in, the toast note is very heavy. The retrohale is toasted cedar and light mustiness. At an inch in, a light bitterness joins the profile. The cigar wraps up with heavily toasted and lightly bitter cedar with the mustiness a bit behind. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly below medium.

Burn

The burn line was razor sharp throughout and the ash held on in inch and a quarter increments.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar had a nice toasted cedar and mushroom mustiness combination through the first two thirds. The final third dropped a level as the toast became very heavy and a light bitterness joined in. Construction was fantastic. The Davidoff Grand Cru No. 3 is the perfect example of the White Label experience as it provides a straight forward, flavorful experience with a low strength level. The line is pricey, but it delivers on flavor and construction, so it is definitely worthwhile. I’d have no problem smoking more of these.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.67

Cost/Point

$2.47

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Davidoff Grand Cru No. 3