The AVO Limited Edition 2005 was as you guessed originally released in 2005. The cigar which debuted at a cigar dinner in Orlando was billed as the strongest Avo to date.
In 2018 the cigar made a return. The original press release more than a decade ago billed the cigar as a 5 3/8 x 52. However, the press release from Davidoff, the parent company of AVO states the cigar is now 5 3/8 x 50 while the blend is said to be the same.
Cigar Review: Avo LE 05 (30th)
Wrapper: Ecuador Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 5 3/8″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Robusto
The Look: From a retailers perspective I describe this as overkill. The cigar ships to stores in a tray consisting of 5 boxes of cigars which make no sense since the majority of retailers stock boxes vertically in their humidors. The cigars come packaged in 20 count boxes with a clear plexiglass top. Unlike the original 05 these come banded. There is the AVO logo and a secondary band denoting 30 Years. In the hand the cigar feels light with a porous foot.
The Notes: The cold draw of the LE 05 is different from any other Avo cigar. There are notes of black pepper, caraway seeds and some subtle oak notes. The aroma off the foot is woodsy with subtle notes of black pepper.
Once the cigar is lit up there is a pepper that tingles the nostrils with touches of oak. There is a lot going on during the first third with notes of rye toast, cashews and espresso. Through the nose there more notes of oak and a touch of leather.
The second third sees the notes of espresso intenstify and the retrohale adds complexity in the form of caraway seeds, caramel, dark chocolate and a subtle cashew. This one of the cigars where the retrohale really causes an explosion of flavors making this incredibly complex. The finish of the cigar is long, with a touch of leather.
The last third of the Avo LE 05 continues to show off the complexity that sets this Avo aside from many other cigars in the line. There are notes of espresso, chocolate, cashew and a hint of leather that is intensified on the finish.
The Finish: I’ve smoked the original 05 on numerous occasions but I really don’t recall the tasting notes. So I can’t compare the two. What I can tell you is that this cigar is the greatest Avo I have ever smoked. It’s rich, complex and worthy of a box purchase.
Score: 94
Price: $15.19 / $269.99
Avo 30th LE 05
Avo 30th LE 05 Foot
Avo 30th LE 05 Burn
