Davidoff Winston Churchill The Original Series Toro “The Commander” Cigar Review

Guest review by Lars (@Larscotch), smoked together with Axel.

The evening started on the terrace at Henry’s in the heart of Helsinki with a glass of red wine, followed by a chorizo pasta for me and the house burger for Axel. For the cigar, I paired mine with a 1664 Blanc 0.0.

Before lighting, we noticed an unusual vertical split on Axel’s cigar running from the band toward the cap. It looked slightly swollen but felt completely dry, and the wrapper did not peel or unravel. We could not determine the cause. After a deeper cut than usual, the draw worked properly.

Apart from that unusual issue, the cigars had the craftsmanship you would expect from Davidoff. What surprised both of us most was the profile, which was far milder than anticipated. As someone who enjoys creamy Connecticut cigars, this turned out to be a very pleasant experience for me.

It is easy to understand why many smokers consider this a benchmark premium mild cigar. The smoking experience was exceptional. The only real downside is the price.

Cigar overview

Name: Davidoff Winston Churchill The Original Series Toro
Vitola: Toro
Dimensions: 152 mm, ring gauge 54
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian (Habano/Connecticut Shade hybrid)
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
Strength: Mild to mild-medium
Price: Roughly €32.50 in Europe / around $26 in the US at the time of writing

Construction and draw

My cigar had a firm body, a silky wrapper and beautiful craftsmanship, finished with the iconic white-and-gold Winston Churchill band.

The draw was excellent, with just the right amount of resistance. It felt premium from the first puff and burned razor-straight throughout the smoke, with virtually no need for touch-ups. The ash held firmly in place, smoke production was rich and creamy, and the cigar stayed pleasantly cool until the end.

Axel’s cigar was the one with the unusual vertical rupture. Although the appearance was concerning before lighting, the deeper cut opened it properly and the draw then worked as it should. Since the leaf was dry and did not unravel, we cannot confidently call it a rolling or storage problem.

My smoking time was approximately 85 to 100 minutes.

Flavor

The first third opened with a beautifully creamy profile, supported by cedar and soft nutty notes. The nuttiness reminded us more of almonds and cashews than stronger roasted nuts.

There was also a gentle sweetness in the background, leaning toward light coffee. Overall, the profile was very soft, smooth and refined.

The middle third did not change dramatically, which I actually enjoyed. Cream remained the dominant note while the cedar became slightly richer. The coffee character developed into something closer to cappuccino. We also picked up a light oakiness and a hint of earth, while the gentle sweetness continued to tie everything together.

The final third brought slightly darker aromas, with cocoa and black coffee becoming more noticeable. Although some reviewers mention white pepper, I personally did not detect it.

Instead, the profile became richer and more sophisticated, introducing leather, toasted wood and deeper oak while the nutty character remained present. Despite those darker flavors, the finish stayed remarkably clean, without any burnt or overly warm notes.

As someone who prefers creamy Connecticut cigars, this remained comfortably within my sweet spot. It became richer toward the end without losing the smooth character that made it so enjoyable.

A note on strength and subjectivity

Both of us found this cigar noticeably milder than expected. It offered a creamy and effortless smoking experience, with the flavors becoming slightly darker and fuller toward the end without losing their smoothness.

Rather than dramatic transitions, the profile evolved gradually and focused more on balance and finesse than strength. The creamy and nutty foundation remained present throughout.

This was our shared experience with these cigars. Other smokers may find the blend firmer or more peppery depending on the individual sample, smoking pace and personal palate.

Pairing

I paired the cigar with 1664 Blanc 0.0. It was neutral enough, with a mild sour lemon character that allowed the cigar’s aromas to come through clearly.

Even so, the pairing felt a bit like wearing different shoes. Neither part actively ruined the other, but they did not feel especially connected. I chose the Blanc mainly because it was a refreshing summer drink, and I would not specifically recommend the two together.

Axel ordered an Irish coffee for the final third, and that pairing suited the cigar perfectly. The coffee worked naturally with the cappuccino, cocoa and darker coffee notes that appeared later in the smoke.

Whisky suggestions by Lars

Since whisky is my jam, I thought I would add some thoughts that came to mind.

In my experience, heavily peated whiskies are not usually the easiest match for sweeter and creamier cigars because they can overpower the more delicate flavors.

Cappuccino, espresso, coffee with milk, lighter rums and even a crisp white wine would all be reasonable suggestions.

Since whisky is my preferred pairing otherwise, I would suggest a smooth Highland single malt such as Macallan 12 Sherry Oak. Its fruit, vanilla and oak should complement the cigar without taking over.

Who will enjoy this

This cigar is an excellent choice for anyone who values elegance over strength, especially smokers who enjoy creamy Connecticut cigars and similarly smooth profiles.

It is refined enough for experienced cigar smokers, yet approachable for beginners who want to discover what a premium mild cigar can offer.

It also makes a strong celebratory cigar or a thoughtful gift for someone who enjoys an occasional smoke but is not accustomed to stronger blends.

The price is the main drawback. At more than €30 in many European markets, it is difficult to treat as a casual everyday cigar. For a special occasion, however, the construction, long smoking time and polished flavor profile make a stronger case.

I would recommend enjoying it indoors or in a calm setting where you can take your time and properly appreciate its subtle aromas.

Our rating

Average score: 93 out of 100

Accessories used

Storage: Travel Humidor
Cutting: Cigar Scissors