Today we are entering the world of mythology by smoking a cigar from the Griffin's brand. The Griffin is a legendary creature with the head and wings of an eagle, and the body, tail, and back legs of a lion. In folklore, the beast protects the gold of the kings, as well as other priceless possessions.
Of course, all cigar connoisseurs will tell you any stogie in their collection is a priceless possession, especially when it comes to a cigar from the renowned Davidoff brand.
Handmade in the Dominican Republic with aged tobaccos, it is the third cigar in the Davidoff portfolio to be labeled a "Nicaragua" cigar, following in the footsteps of the Davidoff Nicaragua and Avo Syncro Nicaragua.
The Griffins cigar has a delicate, buttery Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that covers a Dominican binder and filler. The line offers an impressive range of shapes and vitolas, from the snack-sized Griffinos (3.37 x 20) to the Lonsdale format of the No. 300 (6.25 x 44).
However, our Griffin's cigar review focuses on The Griffin's Toro. The white band is nothing unusual, but it's perfect for allowing the gold majesty of the griffin motif to gleam.
Brand overview
The Griffin's brand was founded in 1984 by a man named Bernard H. Grobet. Grobet owned The Griffin's nightclub in Geneva, Switzerland, and named the brand after it. His intention was for The Griffin's cigar to be exclusive to the club, but they were soon sold to all Swiss tobacconists and became popular in the US at the end of 1980s.
As luck would have it, Zino Davidoff was one of Grobet's closest friends, and Grobet trusted Davidoff and his organization to handle the exports. Griffin's cigars were distributed under the Davidoff umbrella, before Oettinger IMEX AG (parent company of Davidoff) purchased the brand in 2004.
Griffin's Cigars bear Davidoff's standards of excellence and elegance without burning a hole in your wallet. Their light to medium-bodied blends make them popular with cigar smokers on every level. Let's find out if the flavor profile lives up to the Davidoff name.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Strength: Mellow - Medium
- Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
- Binder: Dominican Republic
- Filler: Dominican Republic
- Sizes Available:
Cold draw
Rich cedar and creamy tobacco aromas soar from The Griffin, which are typical of a Connecticut shade-grown wrapper. After cutting the cap with a straight cut, the dry draw reveals luscious flavors of sweet hay, cocoa, and subtle cedar.
Again, it suggests the cigar will taste how it looks and deliver a creamy, mellow-bodied flavor profile.
First third
Light, pleasant flavors roll off the bat with hints of honey, macadamia nuts, and sweet hay. By the end of the first third, a bit of sharp spice develops, but the finish is short, meaning the sensation doesn't tingle the taste buds for long.
Some lightly zingy black pepper joins the cedar on the nose, but the overall profile is a sweet and mellow affair.
Second third
I am impressed with the amount of smoke the Griffin's Toro produces at the start of the second third. There's an earthy dash of fennel and mushroom, but the creamy and nutty tones are still a force, making a favorable impression every time I draw my cigar.
Final third
As I get down to the band, my puffs become peppery, with the spice joined by a rich tobacco note and oak wood with a creamy flourish on the palate. This bouquet of medium-bodied flavors is pleasant on the palate, while still paying homage to the creamy, mellow tobaccos.
Conclusion
Beautifully constructed with pleasingly soft smoke consistency and the kind of top-notch draw you'd expect from a Davidoff cigar, this decadent stick offers a dreamy wake-up call with your favorite coffee.
With its creamy and nutty bursts throughout, The Griffin's cigar is ideally suited for beginners, but also one any stogie enthusiast can enjoy with friends. Join the pride and pick up a box of 25 for $250.25 from cigars.com today.
