AVO VERTICAL TASTING

AVO VERTICAL TASTING

Rating Scale

Strength is a scale of 1-10
Complexity is a scale of 1-5



CLASSIC

Wrapper: Connecticut Seed / Grown in Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

The Classic is densely packed with a solid draw, filled with soft flavors of coffee, hints of pepper and earth, with a creamy finish. I really love this series which reminds me of the Cuban Montecristo Robustos that my friend from Rio de Janeiro brings me occasionally.

Strength: 5
Complexity: 2 1/2

I recommend: NO.2 and NO.3, although the No.9 is my current favorite.



XO

Wrapper: Connecticut Seed, Grown in Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

This is a great complex medium bodied series very well balanced filling the palate with earth, nut, and cream with a toothy draw very pleasant at any time of the day.

Strength: 5
Complexity: 3

I Recommend: the Intermezzo



DOMAINE

Wrapper: Connecticut / Cuban Seed, Grown in Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

Domaine Avo is a bigger bodied blend with a firm draw loaded with spice and nut and hints of wood and leather. I especially like the smaller No.60 which emphasizes the spicey Ecuadorian wrapper.

Strength: 5 1/2
Complexity: 3

I recommend: No. 50 and No. 60



MADURO

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

The Avo Maduro is my favorite way to end a great bird hunt. It is port-like, rich, and earthy, with a solid draw starting medium and finishing full. The only way to improve on this is to smoke it with two fingers of the now extinct Aberlour 15 while watching the sun set. (Try the 16 – it will do in a pinch.)

Strength: 6 1/2
Complexity: 3 1/2

I Recommend: the No. 2



SIGNATURE

Wrapper: Connecticut/Cuban Seed, Sun Grown in Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

The Signature is Cuban-like with a medium draw filling the palate with moist flavors of earth and leather and earth, and sweetness on the finish. This elegant cigar is so well aged that you never feel fullness of the blend as you melt off the day smoking it with a MacAllen 18.

Strength: 6 1/2
Complexity: 3 1/2

I Recommend: the Double Corona



787

Wrapper: Connecticut Seed Grown in Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

The newest Avo, the 787 is the evolution of the Signature blend. Bigger bodied yet soft, this excellent cigar is well rounded and densely packed, offering mouth watering flavors of wood and earth. When it was first introduced at the Houston RTDA show in ’07, Avo said “Jeffrey, buy all of the Toro you can get – it is fantastic!”

Strength: 6
Complexity: 3

Avo and I Recommend: the Toro




TESORO - LIMITADO 2008

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican San Vicente
Filler: Dominican San Vicente, Piloto, Olor

Elegantly balanced and refined, the Tesoro is the offshoot of the immensely successful No.22 Limitado. It is medium bodied with soft flavors of earth, spice, and chocolate. Delightful!

Strength: 6 1/2
Complexity: 3 1/2