AVO LE10 Exclusive Review

Size: 5 1/2″ x 55

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Origin: Tabadom, DR

Age: Super Fresh

I was lucky enough to receive a pre-release sample of the new Avo “birthday” cigar, the LE10.  This year, they made a monster of a cigar, a chunky 55 ring gauge behemoth, where all of the filler is Dominican Ligero!  This came via my new best friend, Eddie Simon, Brand Manager for Avo. Thanks, Eddie.   I also got a few other goodies that I’ll review soon. After my experience with the Davidoff Selecionne 702 last year, I couldn’t wait to fire this up.

I’m a huge fan of Ecuadorian wrappers, and this one is a beaut.  It’s dark and oily, if it tastes as great as it looks, I’m in for  treat.

The Pre-Release LE10

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AVO 22 LE European Release

Size: 5 7/8″ x 41

Vitola: Perfecto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sungrown

Origin: Dominican Republic

Age: 7 years

This is a very special cigar.  Not only did this blend lead to the AVO 787 but this is the only LE to have a different sized European release.  The original AVO 22  was 5 7/8″ x 50 while the European release has a ring gauge of only 41.  The Europeans historically prefer thinner cigars hence the change.  I got my hands on one of these in a trade and couldn’t wait to smoke it.

AVO 22 European Release

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AVO XO Preludio Tubo – Kelner Bomb Review Part II

Size: 6″ x 40

Vitola: Long Corona

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Origin: TabaDom, Dominican Republic

Age: 4 years

This is the second of my Kelner Bomb Review Series.  One of my esteemed Brothers,Matt (aka Cyrann) from the BOTL cigar forum sent me a fantastic “bomb” of vintage Kelner cigars including this 4-year old Avo XO Preludio Tubo.

AVO XO Preludio Tubo

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AVO Classic No. 2 – Kelner Bomb Part I

Size: 6″ x 50

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Origin: TabaDom, Dominican Republic

Age: 5 years

This is the first of my Kelner Bomb Review Series.  One of my esteemed Brothers,Matt (aka Cyrann) from the BOTL cigar forum sent me a fantastic “bomb” of vintage Kelner cigars including this 5 year old Avo Classic No. 2.

AVO Classic No. 2

The Classic have always been great morning cigars, but I was interested to see if age took too much off of this milder cigar.

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Then & Now Review – AVO 22 vs. AVO 787

The AVO 22 is the second Limited Edition cigar that was made into a regular production cigar.  The 787 was released in 2007 to much ballyhoo and prompted me to write another side by side review: then & now.

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Then & Now Review – AVO 75th vs. AVO Signature

Ok, I’d like to try a new little section where I compare older blends to their current counterparts.  It may be just aged cigars against a “fresh” cigar, but I have the luxury of a very special comparison with the AVO 75th Anniversary Double Corona, which was the first AVO LE made, against its current incarnation in the AVO Signature Double Corona.

Due to the popularity of the 75th Anniversary, Avo decided to create a regular production line similar to the essence of the Signature.  I’ll start with the AVO Signature first.

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Domaine AVO No. 10 (May 2006)

Size:  5 1/8″ x 50

Vitola:  Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade

Origin: Dominican Republic

Author’s Note: I am, and will always be, very biased to Kelner-made cigars.  So bear this in mind when you read this review.

This cigar is one of my Go-To cigars.  Whenever I can’t find something in the store that fits my taste for the day, I can always go over and grab a Domaine.  The Domaine AVO is also a unique cigar that consistently gives you the same flavor and great construction cigar after cigar.

This particular cigar is from a box I bought in May of ’06 (from Capital City Cigars of course!) that I’ve been aging.  I am interested to see what a little time does to one of my favorite cigars.

The draw is perfect, the construction is perfect and the burn is dead even.  Of course this IS a Henke Kelner  cigar, so I really expect nothing else.

The first inch of the cigar yields a woodiness that is not as dry as other Kelner cigars.  I also pick up coffee bean with just a touch of creaminess.

Amazingly, the “sweet spot” shows up a little over an inch into the cigar.  Anise and the non-dry woodiness abound!  This, to me, is a result of the aging.

Not much changes for the rest of the cigar, but I enjoy it right down to the nub.

The Domaine is not a complex cigar, but it gives me the tastes and consistency I love.

I certainly recommend aging your favorite cigars, patience pays off and if you like them fresh, wait until you try them with some age!

Rating: 93 (A)

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AVO LE5 (2005)

Size: 5 5/8″ x 52

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Origin: Dominican Republic

Age: about 3 years

This is my favorite cigar.  Ever.  This was the 2005 Edition of the AVO LE or “Birthday” Cigar. This celebrated Avo’s 79^thbirthday.  Every year I get excited for the LE release hoping it can equal this cigar, but it never has.  The closest is the AVO 22 (2002) and the AVO Legacy (2004).

This cigar has everything.  Tons of complexity, fabulous construction and flavor out the yin yang.  We’re talking pepper in the first ¼”, then coffee and licorice.  Then espresso and dark chocolate, a little wood and toast here and there.  I swear it seems that every puff gives you a new flavor combination.  If you find one of these, please do yourself and the cigar justice and exhale through your sinuses.  You can really get all of the flavors this way.

Even the coffee flavors change from espresso, to café au lait to fresh roasted coffee beans!

And the body changes on this cigar, too!  It starts out spicy, mellows out and then amps back up at the finish.

This is the only cigar that I have ever given a perfect rating to, as I have nothing negative to say about it.

Please, Mr. Kelner, if you ever read this, make another just like it!  I’m running out!  🙂

Rating: 100 (A+)

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AVO LE Legacy (2004)

Size: 5.75″ x 48 

Vitola: Torpedo 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Origin: Dominican Republic

Ah… an AVO LE.  They come out to celebrate the birthday of Avo Uvezian begining with his 75th.  The Legacy celebrates his 78th.  Every year I look forward to these small batch cigars.    After all, my favorite cigar of all time came from the AVO LEs Series (the LE5 of course).

I figured with 4 years of age, this would have mellowed nicely.  Boy was I wrong!

This cigar has a flawless milk chocolate wrapper.  Seriously.  Flawless, I can barely see any sign of a vein.  It has a satiny texture and the pre-light aroma makes me think this will pack a little more punch than I expected.

The initial puff yields a nice bit of smoke and pepper??  Pepper?  In a Kelner-made cigar?  Yup, this one’s got spice!  This cigar maintains its spiciness throughout the length of the smoke.  Betwixt the pepper notes I pick up subtle nuances of oak and toast with a little cocoa and coffee thrown in.  This cigar also burns very straight with a tight salt and pepper ash.  The aroma is very powerful, so much so that I have to check the band again to make sure I am smoking an AVO cigar. 

I enjoyed this cigar to the nub, but I hesitate ti give it a real high score as I feel it has more aging to do.  I will revisit this cigar in about a year.  If you can still find these, try one out!

Rating: 93 (A-)

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