Assessment Updates will be posted on this web-site to: 1) Assess “pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system; 3) Provide a re-assessment and re-score of a previously assessed/score cigars. Today, we re-assess Avo Limited Edition 2011 85th Anniversary with the version included in the Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler. This was a cigar we originally assessed (but did not score) back in March, 2011.
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| Avo Limited Edition 2011 – 85th Anniversary |
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Pelo de Oro (Peru)
Filler: San Vicente Visus, San Vicente Ligero, Piloto Ligero, Piloto Seco
Diadema: 6 3/4 x 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
The Avo Limited Edition series is a favorite among cigar enthusiasts. The series was launched in 2001 and has followed each year with a different limited production release is done in a different size and a different blend. The releases are timed around brand ambassador Avo Uvezian’s birthday (March). Just prior to the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show a sampler of all of the releases (minus the 2005) called Avo’s Greatest Hits was announced. Today we take a look at the 2011 limited edition release, the Avo Limited Edition 2011 85th Anniversary. This is a cigar that would finish as the Cigar Coop #5 Cigar of the Year for 2011.
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| Avo Greatest Hits – Packaging |
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| Avo Greatest Hits – Closed Box |
In terms of the cigars included in the package some have had their blends reconstructed using the same tobaccos (The LE05 was not included because this the reconstruction of the blend could not be done to Master Blender Henke Kelner’s satisfaction). It has not been disclosed whether or not the Avo Limited Edition 2011 85th Anniversary is a hold-over from 2011, or if it has been reconstructed.
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| Avo Greatest Hits – Contents |
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| Avo Greatest Hits – Close Up |
In most years, the Avo Limited Edition release has a theme. For the Avo Limited Edition 2011, the theme revolved around Uvezian’s 85th birthday celebration. For this cigar, the company decided to create a 6 3/4 x 50 vitola in the Diademas format – which pretty much is a perfecto. The blend uses a Dominicna Sun-Grown wrapper, a Pelo de Oro binder from Peru, and a mix of San Vincente and Piloto tobaccos from the Dominican Republic.
It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since this release, but the Avo 85th has continued to be a terrific smoke – even with some age on it. The Avo 85th in the Avo’s Greatest Hits sampler keeps to the high level of excellence for this release. This cigar continues to have the signature notes of berry and char I have gotten with this cigar. There are also notes of cinnamon, baker’s spice and natural tobacco. In true Avo fashion, the flavors work real well in harmony. The notes are pretty much medium to full-bodied.
In terms of strength, the Avo 85th was always a deceiving stronger cigar than one might think With the one that came in the Avo’s Greatest Hits sampler, it still had a little more strength than I remember when compared to the original release. I found this to be a medium to full strength cigar.
Overall, I consider the Avo Limited Edition 2011 85th Anniversary one of the best of the Avo Limited Editions – and its certainly a highlight in the Avo’s Greatest Hits sampler.
Summary
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Good
Assessment: 4.5 – Fight Chuck Norris for Them
Score: 94 (Not previously scored)
References
Original Assessment: Avo Limited Edition 2011 – 85th Anniversary
News: Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler Features Limited Editions
Price: $17.50 (2011 release), Sampler Price: ($224.00)
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 7, Episode 96
Stogie Feed: Avo Limited Edition 2011, Avo Limited Edition 2011 85th
