Mastering the art of the blend: Davidoff offers a behind-the-scenes look at its production and experience

As the global leading producer of handcrafted premium cigars, Oettinger Davidoff owns eight cigar brands, among the list is its flagship brand, Davidoff Cigars. With roots tracing back to 1875, the family-owned Swiss company has evolved into a global enterprise with over 4,000 employees worldwide. Oettinger Davidoff’s fusion of Swiss precision and Caribbean passion ensures consistent taste and quality; every tobacco leaf is weighed before rolling to confirm each blend has the same exact amount of ingredients.

To offer insights into the origins of the Davidoff story, the company opened the doors to its production facility in the Dominican Republic – where the iconic white band was earned and worn for the first time – for a behind-the-scenes look at its operations and crop-to-shop philosophy. There, GTR Magazine learned more about the company’s agricultural practices, production methods and the Davidoff Cigars brand universe from Hamlet Espinal, Vice President Head of Global Production & General Manager at Tabadom Holding, Inc., Oettinger Davidoff's production facility in the Dominican Republic, and Davidoff Brand Ambassador, Alex Weghorn.

Known for its geographical, social and economic diversity, the Dominican Republic is a cultural melting pot shaped by its indigenous Taíno roots, Spanish colonization and African heritage. In a move that initially took the industry by surprise, Dr. Ernst Schneider, former head of Oettinger Davidoff, transferred cigar production in the early 1990s to the Dominican Republic in a commitment to uncompromising quality, intellectual property and a desire for complete control over its business model.

Tobacco cultivation and terroir

At the Dr. Schneider farm in Villa González, Santiago de los Caballeros, Espinal outlined the early stages of tobacco production at Tabadom: from seed cross-breeding and the sowing of seedlings to the planting. Oettinger Davidoff cultivates 15 terroirs in the Dominican Republic. According to Espinal, each terroir’s respective tobaccos create different flavor profiles, as well as sensorial experiences based on distinct growing conditions. The company is committed to utilizing as much of each tobacco plant as possible; smaller leaf cuts are directed to medium- and short-filler product, while removed central leaf veins function as natural fertilizer in the fields.

Crop-to-shop philosophy

Described as a core strategy that promises quality and consistency through the steering and control of every step of the value chain, the company’s crop-to-shop philosophy is based on vertical integration – from its tobacco fields in the Dominican Republic and Honduras to its global network of retail stores. The process begins with seed selection, where only 10% of seeds pass quality control and are planted. Next, the harvesting of tobacco leaves through meticulous cultivation leads to the curing process that takes place in a controlled environment to create a balanced flavor and aroma. In addition to sorting leaves by color and size, workers sort the leaves by texture to achieve consistency in intensity among blends. With an inventory that consists of more than 2,600 tons of tobacco with the potential for over seven million blends, Oettinger Davidoff relies on its greatest asset: its people, to “construct the perfect recipe” for the art of the blend. The company’s crop-to-shop philosophy extends to the consumer experience, with its flagship locations offering not only products, but also an elevated retail and lounge environment.

Elaborating on its business model, Jean-Christophe Hollay, Vice President, Head Partner Markets & Duty Free EMEAA at Oettinger Davidoff, shares, “Our approach enables us to support our retail partners more effectively. We work closely with them to define the right portfolio for each location, ensure stable availability and prevent out-of-stock situations.

“Through our e-learning platform and on-site staff training, we share our expertise to help teams understand the category and engage confidently with shoppers – something that has a tangible impact on conversion, particularly given that cigar consumers tend to generate larger basket sizes. In addition, we develop travel retail exclusives that reinforce the uniqueness of the channel and provide travelers with something they cannot find elsewhere. Altogether, our crop-to-shop philosophy allows us to deliver a level of quality, partnership and category stewardship that truly sets Davidoff apart.”

Year of the Horse

Davidoff Cigars is once again honoring the Chinese zodiac by launching Year of the Horse Limited Edition 2026, alongside a curated accessories gift set and Masterpiece Humidor. The blend is crafted entirely of hybrid tobacco seeds and draws inspiration from the strength, grace and diversity attributed to the zodiac sign; its filler features three Dominican vintage tobaccos that add complexity to the taste experience. Providing a refined flavor profile with notes of cream, chocolate and roasted hazelnuts, the result is a medium-intense cigar that delivers balance and movement – smooth, elegant and representative of the spirit of the Horse.

Expected to resonate with collectors and connoisseurs alike across all key markets, this release introduces a toro especial format never before crafted by Davidoff Cigars, a patented torpedo shape for its flagship stores and a gran toro available exclusively with the limited Masterpiece Humidor. The humidor features intricate artwork made through an elaborate process of straw and thread marquetry; the accessories and packaging are designed to complement the cigar and deepen the thematic experience.

Voyager’s Selection

Earlier this year, the luxury brand released Voyager’s Selection, a new line of premium cigar samplers for the global travel retail market. As noted by Hollay, the first edition of this series has been listed at numerous duty free locations worldwide, with distribution far exceeding expectations. Developed exclusively for the channel and designed to generate even more engagement with travelers, further editions will follow in 2026.

“At Davidoff, we developed the Voyager’s Selection to offer travelers something truly special: a curated journey into our world that can only be experienced in global travel retail," explains Hollay. “These selections feature exclusive assortments and formats crafted specifically for travelers who wish to explore our portfolio or find a distinguished gift while on the move. Each edition is presented in a sharp-edged, rigid box that balances travel-friendly convenience with the premium aesthetics expected of Davidoff, and each assortment has been chosen to give consumers a deeper sense of discovery across our wider flavor universe.”

To support the rollout, the brand is implementing a series of elevated high-profile promotions in collaboration with select cross-category partners that share its commitment to craftsmanship and premium experiences. Davidoff Cigars’ recent activation with Charles Heidsieck at Frankfurt Airport exemplifies how these collaborations can create a memorable, multi-sensory moment for passengers.