Vitola: Toro- 6” x 50 ring gauge
- MSRP $9.80
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
Days before the 2019 IPCPR trade show, I was at work when Tobacconist Magazine showed up with news of the new Avo Unexpected Series via a large fold-out advertisement near the front of the issue. There was not much information in that advertisement but I thought they would give more when they actually shipped. That turned out to not be the case.
The Unexpected Series showed up at quite suddenly at the store the very next week, just days after the trade show ended and still there was very little information given. At this writing they haven’t added this series to the Davidoff/Avo website, but there is this quote on the site that speaks to the series:
Every cigar is a careful arrangement that mirrors the unexpected finesse of Avo’s music – complex, layered, effortlessly smooth and infinitely approachable. Each a virtuoso performance, that elevates the cigar maker’s craft into the realm of art. From his flair for improvisation, to his passion for travel and infinite enthusiasm for life, AVO cigars are truly a reflection of Avo… the man.
The Unexpected Series is color-coded with similar artwork for each band and box, but with different primary colors. I chose the Tradition for my first review of this series (I probably won’t be renewing them all). It uses the turquoise/green color and is said to be “crafted with a rare native tobacco from Peru.” No other information is given about other tobaccos used in the blend, but Avo cigars are made in the Dominican Republic and traditionally use some Dominican leaf somewhere. (Later checking on the Avo/Davidoff website confirmed that this stick uses Dominican and Peruvian fillers, a Dominican binder and an Ecuadorian wrapper.)
This review is based on the second time I smoked the Avo Unexpected Tradition. I bought both sticks at Burns Tobacconist where I work. Leaf Enthusiast sponsor, Small Batch Cigar, does carry the Avo Unexpected Series.
Prelight
The box is typical of what we have come to expect from the Avo lines as far as construction…wood with simple latches and hinges. In this instance there are brush strokes in the green color of the Tradition blend, along with a logo-inspired piece of art at the upper right corner of the box lid (each blend has its own unique piece of art here along with the same one on the back or sides of the bands).
The primary and secondary bands have the color-coding reflected with the back of the primary band showing the brushstroke motif. The secondary band has “Unexpected” in larger type and “Tradition” centered below it in smaller type.
The wrapper leaf of the cigar was a medium-brown color with slight mottling and a decent amount of oils. It had an aroma that was a mix of barnyard and cedar. The foot of the stick was grassy and woody, with slightly earthy and sweet aromas.
The cold draw was very good, verging on being too loose. The prelight flavors were of wood and hay and a tiny bit of citrus.
Flavor
The Avo Unexpected Tradition fired up fairly quickly and delivered notes off cedar and hay up front, with earth and a slight lemon flavor coming in behind, while notes of pepper were slight on the finish and very prominent on the nose. The cigar started off medium in body and as the first third continued I got more citrus notes, which is something I’ve come to expect with Peruvian leaf. Here it was more of a lemon note, though, where I usually associate Peruvian with orange flavor.
Getting into the second third, I noted that the citrus was more dominant than ever with hay falling closely behind and cedar tailing off quite a bit. The retrohale had a little pepper left, but it was taking on a more citrus note as well.
The last third of the Unexpected Tradition was more citrusy with faint notes of hay, while the cedar and pepper notes were distant memories.
Construction
I had a very good draw that bordered on too loose without actually being there. The burn line was quite even and the ash was solid for almost an inch.
Value
Very good cigar at a price that is just about average, so very good value, especially for a limited run stick.
Conclusions
As an introduction to the Avo Unexpected Series, the Tradition is a very nice cigar, medium in body but full in flavor from beginning to end. It wasn’t terribly complex, with the citrus notes of Peruvian leaf leading the way most of the time, but it was very good and something I would smoke again. If there is a plan to reintroduce one or more of these blends as regular production offerings, the Tradition definitely has my vote.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
I’ve been waiting for someone to review this series. Thank you!