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 2010 with the version included in the Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler. This was our 2010 Cigar of the Year, but has not had a numerical scoring rating up until this point.

Avo Limited Edition 2010 – Avo LE10

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun-Grown
Binder: Mexican Sumatra Seed
Filler: Dominican – all Ligero
Super Robusto: 5 1/2 x 55
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 one of the all-time historic cigars in Cigar Coop history – the Avo Limited Edition 2010 (a.k.a. Avo LE10).  This was the Cigar Coop 2010 Cigar of the Year.

Avo Greatest Hits – Packaging

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 2010 is from 2010, or if it has been reconstructed.

Avo Greatest Hits – Contents

Avo Greatest Hits – Close Up

In most years, the Avo Limited Edition release has a theme.   For the Avo Limited Edition 2010, was didn’t really have one other than “LE 10” for the 10th year of the limited edition.   The format chosen was what is being called a “Super Robusto” – 5 1/2 x 55″.  One can say the “555” format satisfies Uvezian’s fascination with numerology.   Meanwhile the blend features an Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper over an all ligero Dominican blend.  Perhaps what is most interesting on the blend is the Mexican Sumatra binder – something not normally seen on many cigar blends.

Last year on Stogie Geeks, I smoked an Avo LE10 with nearly four years of age on it and was still blown away how it maintained this level.  While I cannot trace the vintages or dates back to the Avo Greatest Hits’ Avo LE10, it maintains the same excellence I know from this blend.  This stayed in the wheelhouse flavor-wise as it delivered notes of chocolate, cream, coffee, baker’s spice, grass, and pepper.  I also picked up a little cherry sweetness which I have gotten on the LE10s from time to time.

The Avo LE10 is the fullest of the Avo Limited Editions in terms of strength and body – as it is full in both categories.  The Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler remains in the full strength, full-bodied spectrum. In fact on this one, the strength might have the edge toward the end of this smoke.

The version of the Avo Limited Edition 2010 in the Avo’s Greatest Hits sampler is worthy of being compared to a Cigar of the Year and it’s worthy of maintaining an Oasis rating.

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: High
Strength: Full
Body: Full
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 5.0 – The Oasis
Score: 95 (Not previously scored)

References

Original Assessment: Avo LE10 (2010 Cigar of the Year)
News: Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler Features Limited Editions
Price: $15.50 (2010 release), Sampler Price: ($224.00)
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 83, Episode 63, Episode 62
Stogie Feed: Avo Limited Edition 2010 (Avo LE10), Avo LE 2010