AVO Synchro Nicaragua Cigar Review

As the first cigar of the newly rebranded AVO line from Davidoff, the AVO Synchro Nicaraqua made its debut at the 2015 IPCPR in New Orleans and hit the shelves in the US shortly after. The AVO Cigars webstie  proudly proclaimed:

“Inspired by the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Avo Uvezian, our Master Blender has ventured to the untamed heart of Central America. Capturing sweet and spicy flavors from the rich, volcanic soil of Nicaragua and blending them with the soft, creamy notes of the finest Dominican leaves. Resulting in a smooth and balanced box-pressed cigar with unexpected depth and complexity.”

The AVO Synchro Nicaragua blend is described as:

• Wrapper – Ecuador
• Binder – Dominican Republic
• Filler – Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Peru

Available in 4 vitolas and packaged in bold 20-count boxes the AVO Synchro Nicaragua is an eye catcher on the shelf and are priced in the sweet spot of most consumers:

• Short Robusto (4 x 52) MSRP $7.90
• Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $8.90
• Toro (6 x 54) MSRP $9.90
• Special Toro (6 x 60) MSRP $10.90

There is also a first of its kind vitola for AVO – the Puritos (4 × 30) packaged in a 10-count tin box with an MSRP of $25.00/tin.

The Toro is also available  in a Tubos format (one cigar in a tin can with a flip top) which is the cigar I sampled and received from AVO Cigars at this years IPCPR for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press. The Toro Tubos comes packed in 20-Count boxes also and have a per cigar MSRP of $11.90

Pre-Light Examination

The first thing to note about the AVO Synchro Nicaragua Toro Tubos is the tin container it is contained in, It is a rectangle container with a flip top, boldy colored with the  AVO Synchro Nicaragua motif – Red, Grey, Plum, Cream and Silver. It has the AVO logo on the front and the words AVO UVEZIAN, SYNCHRO, NICARAGUA and TORO underneath. It really is a beautifully classic looking package and certainly would make a nice gift.

Opening the top of the can the cellophane wrapped cigar pulled out of its snug fit with a gentle tug.

After removing the cellophane, the cigar is just as impressive as the packaging it came in; smooth, sharply box pressed with a few pressed veins. It has a milk chocolate-brown wrapper with some mottling and some off-color light spots. It oozes a fermented leaf aroma. even inches from the nose. The foot has a bouquet of cocoa, nut and pepper.

The band on this is the standard AVO logo in a red motif with the word Nicaragua printed below.

I clipped the well applied cap and savored the cold draw puffs. Cold draws can be underrated but I like to experience the cigar before it is ignited. It is like going on a date, you want to take it slow and enjoy every moment. In the case of a fine cigar you especially want to roll it about and let your palate experience the notes of the aged tobacco. In the case of the AVO Synchro Nicaragua those flavors included a hint of white pepper corn, with notes of leather and fruit all encased in a natural tobacco sweetness.

Having gone through the pre-light ritual it was time to ignite this beauty up.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Right off the flame the palate is graced with medium dose of pepper
• The pepper cloaks a sweet undertone of flavor
• Sweetness builds as the pepper fades
• Woody and nut aroma fills the air
• Solid medium grey ash builds on a straight and thin char line
• Flavor smooths out nicely after an inch and coats the palate with natural tobacco sweetness
• Ash fell after 2 inches
• Well centered and flat burn cone
• Light cedar note enters
• Gentle spice  fills out the profile midway through the burn
• Spice builds through the second third
• Spice begins to reveal itself as cinnamon
• The nut and cinnamon provides for a delicious flavor sensation 
• Sweetness continues on the tip of the tongue tip
• Ash got a bit flaky in the final third
• Finished with a touch of sea salt and nut
• Medium Strength
• Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes

Overall, the AVO Synchro Nicaragua was an elegant cigar to smoke. It is certainly one that any cigar enthusiast would enjoy with its sweet and zesty spice notes. It had a medium level of complexity but certainly offered outstanding flavor transitions through a pristine burn and creamy smoke texture. I would love to pair another one with an aged rum or bourbon.