Since 2011, Davidoff has celebrated the birthday of Avo Uvezian with a Limited Edition release in March. This continues to this day even after his passing in 2017. Like last year, the cigar is limited to 2,500 boxes to the US Market. According to Oettinger Davidoff AG Chief Marketing Officer Edward Simon “The AVO Improvisation 2020 is the eighth rendition of the highly anticipated annual series. Avo Uvezian believed that life is to be enjoyed fully and that one needs to go beyond the ordinary by taking risks and seizing opportunities whenever possible. We honour that legacy and philosophy with this one-of-a-kind masterpiece.”
Cigar Review: AVO Improvisation Series 2020
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 6.5
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Toro
The Look: Packaged in a clear acrylic box the AVO Improvisation Series 2020 sits inside a cedar tray with the cigars in two rows of seven. Looking at the cigar, the wrapper stands out with this being one of the most blonde looking Ecuador Connecticut I’ve seen in recent memory. The wrapper has a few noticeable veins that detract slightly from the beauty of the leaf that has a fair amount of oils visible. The white, black and copper AVO logo serves as the primary band with a secondary band stylishly showing 2020. In the hand the cigar is firm to the touch with a slightly spongy foot.
The Notes: The cold draw has a subtle butterscotch component and like all things AVO and most things Davidoff the real focal point in a barnyard notes of cedar, earth and hay with that trio being enhanced on the nose off the foot of the stick.
Once we toast and light the cigar the initial notes are a mouthwatering butterscotch component with a touch of anise. Moving deeper into the first third, the sweetness dissipates slowly as the Improvisation 2020 develops a creamy finish and a hint of nutmeg on the retrohale.
The second third of the AVO Improvisation Series sees a nutty component become the dominant taste with hints of wheat and cedar. The aroma of the cigar has a subtle floral on the nose with a touch of white pepper on the retrohale.
As we enjoy the last third notes of nuts, cedar, and earth dominate the palate with a subtle mouthwatering sweetness that has me smoking the cigar til there is nothing left to hold.
The Finish: As a fan of AVO it wasn’t unexpected that I enjoyed this cigar, but I couldn’t help but wonder if was the reincarnation of another limited AVO release. There have been a couple of 6.5 x 50 smokes over the years. Regardless, it is a solid smoke with a nice robust flavor profile. It’s definitely something worth picking up if you are a fan of the line.
Score: 93
Price: $16.19 / $201.99
AVO Improvisation Series 2020
AVO Improvisation Series 2020 Foot
AVO Improvisation Series 2020 Burn
