Origin : Dominican Republic Format : Torpedo Size : 5 7/8? x 41 Wrapper : Ecuadorian Sun Grown Filler : Dominican Binder : Dominican Hand-Made Price : $15+ each
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 Selecione 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.
I clip the triple seam cap and get a nice easy pre-light draw. It takes the flame reluctantly, as ligero can be quite petulant.
One of the most striking first impressions I get after lighting, is the oak barrel quality taste to the wrapper.
The first puffs very much “Kelner-y” – earthy and musty. But then there was the finish, it was spicy, then spicier, then wow! This packs quite a kick from the get-go!
As I smoked further, i got notes of leather and wood, with a touch of dryness. These all reminded me, along with that oak barrel note, of a nice spicy California Cab.
Along with the spiciness there was a touch of sweetness through the sinuses (retrohale). There was also notes cocoa and a bit of espresso. For so young a cigar, it was already quite balanced and complex.
About an 1? down – bam! It changes! Loads of chocoalte and spice, with some almond notes too.
One thing I can already decide is that these are going to age very, very well.
I’m enjoying some Zaya Aged Rum with this smoke and it pairs beautifully, the rum rich with vanilla and spice.
Earlier, I wrote that this looks like the Davidoff Selecione 702; it also taste a lot like it, just at a fraction of the price!
As I smoke this down to the nub, there are moments where I forget that this is an Avo! The full-flavored, full-bodied beast is rich and robust, not like the regular Avo lines. This cigar has superb construction, great draw throughout, tons of smoke and a dead even burn.
Is this a strong cigar? Yes. Is it harsh? No. This is how you make a full-bodies, strong cigar. If you liked the Companero, you will like this even more. Thanks again to Eddie Simon for the chance to smoke this cigar!
Zen Cigar
Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Torpedo
Size : 5 7/8? x 41
Wrapper : Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Filler : Dominican
Binder : Dominican
Hand-Made
Price : $15+ each
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 Selecione 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.
I clip the triple seam cap and get a nice easy pre-light draw. It takes the flame reluctantly, as ligero can be quite petulant.
One of the most striking first impressions I get after lighting, is the oak barrel quality taste to the wrapper.
The first puffs very much “Kelner-y” – earthy and musty. But then there was the finish, it was spicy, then spicier, then wow! This packs quite a kick from the get-go!
As I smoked further, i got notes of leather and wood, with a touch of dryness. These all reminded me, along with that oak barrel note, of a nice spicy California Cab.
Along with the spiciness there was a touch of sweetness through the sinuses (retrohale). There was also notes cocoa and a bit of espresso. For so young a cigar, it was already quite balanced and complex.
About an 1? down – bam! It changes! Loads of chocoalte and spice, with some almond notes too.
One thing I can already decide is that these are going to age very, very well.
I’m enjoying some Zaya Aged Rum with this smoke and it pairs beautifully, the rum rich with vanilla and spice.
Earlier, I wrote that this looks like the Davidoff Selecione 702; it also taste a lot like it, just at a fraction of the price!
As I smoke this down to the nub, there are moments where I forget that this is an Avo! The full-flavored, full-bodied beast is rich and robust, not like the regular Avo lines. This cigar has superb construction, great draw throughout, tons of smoke and a dead even burn.
Is this a strong cigar? Yes. Is it harsh? No. This is how you make a full-bodies, strong cigar. If you liked the Companero, you will like this even more. Thanks again to Eddie Simon for the chance to smoke this cigar!