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 2008 Tesoro with the version included in the Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler. This was a cigar we assessed back (but did not score) in May, 2011.
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| Avo Limited Edition 2008 Tesoro (Part of Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler) |
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun-Grown
Binder: Dominican San Vincente
Filler; Dominican (San Vicente Seco, Piloto Seco, Piloto Ligero, Olor Ligero)
Toro: 5 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 Avo Limited Edition 2008 Tesoro.
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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 2008 is from 2008, or if it has been reconstructed.
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| Avo Greatest Hits – Contents |
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| Avo Greatest Hits – Close Up |
The Avo Limied Edition 2008 is dubbed the “Tesoro”. – which translates from Spanish to “Treasure”. The 2008 edition commemorates Uvezian’s birthday. The Companero features a Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper over a San Vincente binder. The filler is a combination of San Vicente Seco, Piloto Seco, Piloto Ligero, and Olor Ligero. The cigar was released in a 5 3/4 x 50 frontmark. It was the only cigar in the series to feature a footer band, and it was the last cigar before the current primary band design was put in place for the series.
In terms of the flavor profile, I found the Tesoro had a mix of grassy notes, black pepper, sweet earth, and nut flavors. In the second third, there was a very nice honey nut flavor. The pepper had a lingering effect on the after-draw and there was a herbal spice on the retro-hale. The last third of the cigar saw the Tesoro lose some sweetness and take on more of an earthy quality. The flavors had some depth as I assessed the Tesoro to be a medium to full-bodied smoke. This was balanced by medium strength.
When comparing this version of the Tesoro to the original, I found both versions did produce a honey sweetness. I didn’t quite get as much in the way of butterscotch, caramel, or cedar with this version I produced. On the other hand, I got a more unique sweet earth this time around. For whatever reason, I also had better luck with the burn on the Avo’s Greatest Hits version than the previous time.
While there were some differences, I still found the Tesoro to be a nice cigar and if I had scored this back in 2008, it would pretty much be even with the Avo’s Greatest Hits version
Summary
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Good
Assessment: 3.0 – The Fiver
Score: 89 (Not previously scored)
References
Original Assessment: Avo Limited Edition 2008 (LE 08) Tesoro
News: Avo’s Greatest Hits Sampler Features Limited Editions
Price: Sampler Price: ($224.00)
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: n/a
Stogie Feed: n/a
