The Avion which started out as a limited production extension of the Fausto line is limited to a perfecto shape would eventually transition to a regular release that is still available in 2016. The cigar can be traced back to the T110 which was made exclusively for R. Field Wine Co. in Hawaii and serves as the blueprint for this release.
- Avion ’11 – 6.75 x 48/52 (Perfecto Grande/Habano Wrapper)
- Avion ’12 – 5 5/8 x 48/52 (Short Perfecto/Habano)
- Avion ’13 – 6 7/8 x 52 (Double Perfecto/Broadleaf)
Today’s cigar was gifted to me by a co-worker (no, not Derek) and comes from a box with at least 2 years worth of age on it.
Cigar Review: Tatuaje Avion
Size: 5 5/8 x 48/52 (Short Perfecto)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
The Look: The Avion ’12 is packaged in 10 count boxes that are reminiscent of old Cuban cigar boxes which puts the focus on the cigar. The box-pressed perfecto is a little rugged looking with some visible veins that are slightly raised above the surface of the evenly colored Habano wrapper. The band features a gold flying cigar on a red background that for some odd reason always makes me thing of Pink Floyd’s inflatable pig. The cigar is well packed and I am eager to light this one up.
The Notes: The cold draw off the Avion ’12 is reminiscent of coke syrup and hints of cherry. I often spend a lot of time on a cold draw when the flavors impress me and i often wonder if I am depriving the cigar of all its notes before lighting it up. The aroma off the cigar reminds me of milk chocolate with a touch of cedar.
Once the foot is quickly ignited the cigar seems to have mellowed some with age, but the flavors seem much more defined. Without that burst of pepper the line is synonymous for the cigar quickly dives into its core notes of chocolate, nuts, and black pepper all of which seem to be evenly balanced on my palate.
In the second third of the cigar some wood notes develop that become a little sweet and the aroma reminds me a little bit of maple. There continues to be some chocolate and nuts, with a bit of black pepper on the retrohale that reminds far less than I remember it to be.
When this cigar was first released it was full bodied to say the least, but even as we enter the final third the cigar seems to hangout in the medium-full range. The sweetness has left the building and the finishing notes are woodsy with a touch of earth. The pepper on the retrohale seems to become less evident as we progress to the end of this outstanding smoke.
The Burn: One of the best burning perfecto cigars I have smoked to date, the Avion features a razor thin combustion line with a solid white ash that hold for close to half the stick. Like most perfecto cigars the draw starts off a little tight but as you smoke past the nipple it opens up to perfection. Smoking time was just north of 2 hours and I paired the cigar with some Cuban coffee.
The Finish: It’s amazing to me how much this cigar has mellowed since it was originally released. The flavors seem to pop and the balance is amazing. I don’t hide the fact that I am a Nicaraguan fan boy and it seems that cigars that come out of the My Father factory do really well with aging. That’s not to say they don’t smoke well right off the truck because they do, but with a little be of age they become that much more enjoyable.
Score: 94
Price: $8.50
