In 2015 one of the big stories was the rebranding of Avo across all the lines. We had reviews the Classic, XO and Domaine as well as the new Syncro. Today, we address the Avo Heritage which when it was originally released was the line that turned me on to Avo Cigars.
According to the Avo website, “Together — Avo Uvezian, Hendrik Kelner and the next generation of gifted cigar craftsmen — developed this harmonious experience filled with tobacco tradition and expertise. This full-bodied blend offers rich, toasted notes of cocoa and spice with an unforgettably creamy finish.
Crafted as homage to our farmers, blenders and rollers, AVO Heritage offers a satisfying range of complex flavors delivered in a smooth, balanced fashion. With a touch of sweet cedar and an almost apple-like sweetness, this member of our Classic Series is truly a smoke to be remembered.”
Cigar Review: Avo Heritage
Size: 4 7/8 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Ecuador Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
The Look: Rustic. The dark wrapper has some significant veins and a fair amount of oils visible on the wrapper. The band of the cigar is darker utilizing colors of brown, all if which gives the cigar a heartier appearance. The roll of the cigar near perfect however and the Avo has no soft spots and an average weight for its size.
The Notes; The cold draw serves up the classic Kelner profile of hay and earth with hints of cedar but there is also a slight graham cracker component as well. The aroma off the foot musky much like the inside of an old barn.
Once the cigar is lit, there is some subtle spices and an abundance of toasty goodness with some graham cracker on the finish mixed in with a touch of leather. Through the nose the subtle spices are more dominant and some nuttiness comes into play as well.
In the second third of the Heritage from Avo the notes of cashews become the dominant flavor with some continued toasty goodness. The moderate finish has a leather component to it and through the nose the cigar is earthy and woody that is complimented by the aroma.
The last third of the cigar continues with some nuttiness and earth. Some spice returns on the retrohale with a short earthy finish. The last third seemed the most balanced of the stick and has left me wanting to light up another.
The Burn: The Avo Heritage is a slow burning cigar with a solid firm ash that held strong for the first half of the cigar and fell one more time before I put the cigar down. The combustion line which was pretty thick revealed a white ash and the draw was perfect. The cigar lit easily and remained lit from first light to last puff.
The Finish: When the brand came out in 2010 it turned me on the Avo and smoking one today makes me see why. Its heartier than the other lines, but remains my second favorite of all the Avo brands with the Domaine remaining my favorite. The cigar serves up classic Henke with some added characteristics and for me that is a home run.
Score: 91
Price: $8.29 / $143.99
Avo Heritage
Avo Heritage Foot
Avo Heritage Burn
