Item: Review Davidoff Late Hour Winston Churchill Belicoso: Extraordinary balance!
Author: Vasilij Ratej

Review Davidoff Late Hour Winston Churchill Belicoso / Umami, spice, light creaminess - and then earth with increasing intensity: The Davidoff Late Hour Winston Churchill Belicoso remains exorbitantly balanced at medium strength and convinces me until the last third. I have tested three cigars and will definitely have to buy a few more of the 4-cigar boxes. My review photos are of different examples. I enjoyed each one for just over 75 minutes (I'm a slow eater). If I were to award points, I would give this Belicoso 96 points.

Contents of my review Davidoff Late Hour Winston Churchill Belicoso

QUICK BOX 5-second decision

For you, if you like it: Exorbitant fantastic balance!

Strength / Smoke duration: 3/5, approx. 75 minutes

3 flavour points: Spicy, earth, wood

The tobacco is very high quality. The Condega tobacco from Nicaragua has been uniquely matured, which I will explain right after the photo. Wrapper: Ecuador / binder: Mexico / filler: 2 tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, 2 tobaccos from Nicaragua.

The secret of barrel ageing

Two of the four Inlay tobaccos come from Condega and Estelí (Nicaragua). The mineral-rich volcanic soils shape the character. They bring an intense, clear spicy note to the blend.

The barrel

The Condega Visus tobacco leaves are pressed firmly into the single malt scotch whisky cask. The fermentation process begins when the temperature in the closed barrel rises. The rise in temperature is monitored regularly. This prevents the tobacco from overheating.

The maturing process

The tobacco matures in barrels for a total of six months. It is turned over every fortnight in a complex process. During this time, the tobacco absorbs the flavours of the wooden barrel. This is a natural process. No whisky is applied directly to the tobacco leaves.

The result

The carefully matured Condega Visus tobacco noticeably enriches the blend. It gives it additional complexity. It is said that oak notes characterise all the cigars in «The Late Hour Series». Personally, I don't know what oak wood tastes like 😊 But yes, the smoke from the Late Hour Series does remind me of wood. With the new Belicoso, „wood“ was clearly recognisable in the 3/5 strength.

As soon as I took my first puff, I thought: Holla - this is a very special blend. I only read the factsheet that Davidoff kindly provided me with after the third sample. And that's when the penny dropped: Now I understand what makes this blend so special. You can find the explanation above.

The moment

I like cigars that you don't have to „think“ about all the time - and that have depth. If you allow yourself an hour (or a little more) and don't do five things on the side, then this Davidoff Late Hour Winston Churchill Belicoso plays right into your hands: calm, clear, with steady development.

Review Davidoff Late Hour Winston Churchill Belicoso

Available in a box of 4. The cigars are individually wrapped in cellophane.

Setup & cold draw

I didn't write down any details about the cut and the cold odour this time - I wanted to concentrate on the process. But what I can say for sure: The draw was optimal right from the start, without fiddling, without being „too light“ or „too tight“.

The ash is compact and stable.

The first five minutes

The start is immediately umami-heavy for me: slightly spicy, juicy - and at the same time already with a fine creamy touch; Hey - what kind of brilliant balance is that? There is also a sour, bitter accent, which of course does not disturb at all, but rather provides structure. This does not feel playful, but rather „grown-up“: The cigar shows early on that it can balance. Even here I realised: oops, this must be something very special.

Flavour progression

First half

In the first half, this umami spice play remains in the foreground: spicy, slightly creamy, with this juicy texture. And then comes something that I like when it's done cleanly: earth. Not as a dull block, but as an additional layer. This is exactly where the Davidoff Late Hour Winston Churchill Belicoso really starts to grab me - because it doesn't tip over, but perfect remains harmonious. And: some wood is mixed into the balance.

Here is a photo of another example: The smoke is creamy and flavourful - and all four examples were excellently balanced. I am really enthusiastic.

Second half

In the second half, the earthiness increases noticeably, as well as a little more wood. For me, this is the core of the development: the intensity increases, but without the cigar falling apart. The acidic-bitter note remains as a „frame“, while spice and a slight creaminess continue to provide stability. The bottom line: balance that is not just claimed, but is sustained when smoked.

Draught & combustion

Draw: optimal - I was in the comfort zone throughout. Burning: I experienced it as very neat; I had to nothing correct. Truly a magnificent cigar with an excellent blend! Congratulations on this creation!