Zino Platinum Scepter Series Grand Master

The Zino Platinum Scepter Series Grand Master represents the luxurious side of the Davidoff universe, carrying forward the legacy of Zino Davidoff himself — a man who practically defined modern cigar elegance. Handmade in the Dominican Republic, the Scepter Series was created to blend refinement with bold flavor, proving that a mild-to-medium cigar can still deliver complexity and depth. With multiple 90-plus ratings and a devoted following among aficionados, the Grand Master remains one of the standout blends in the Zino portfolio.

This Robusto-sized cigar wears a gorgeous Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper over a Connecticut binder and long-fillers from the Dominican Republic and Peru that have been aged for more than four years. The aging process gives the cigar its trademark smoothness while allowing the flavors to develop remarkable richness. From the first draw, expect creamy notes of coffee, cedar, toasted nuts, and cocoa, all accented by subtle hints of white pepper and sweet cream. The texture is especially luxurious, producing thick, chewy smoke with a long and elegant finish.

Pairing this cigar with a Chateau Montelena Chardonnay may sound unconventional to some cigar smokers, but it works beautifully. The wine’s buttery texture and balanced acidity enhance the cigar’s creaminess and nutty sweetness while cleansing the palate between draws. A cappuccino also makes an excellent companion if you prefer something more traditional. The Grand Master is the kind of cigar that encourages you to slow down, settle into a comfortable chair, and appreciate the finer details.

Though tobacco is indigenous to Hispaniola, the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic existed in the shadow of Cuba’s dominance through the 1960s. When the exodus of Cuban cigar makers began in the wake of the revolution, many decided the Dominican Republic would be ideal for the resumption of their livelihoods. Unrest in Nicaragua in the 1980s fueled the Dominican cigar industry further. The country now makes more than half of the premium cigars imported into the U.S.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid. Dominican puros were once unheard of as it was widely thought impossible to grow quality wrapper leaf on the island, but new growing techniques are now allowing some exceptional puros to be produced.