I grabbed a handful of these a week ago during a visit to a new B&M I found (don’t you just love finding a new B&M). I picked up a few #9s and a couple of #2s for when I’ve got more time. This review will be for the #9 which is 4.75×48.
Upon removing it from the cellophane I was greeted with a slightly oily, dark wrapper with a very light dusting of plume near the cap which I took as a good sign of both the cigar and the new B&M. The one vein I could see could barely be felt, the entire wrapper was very smooth. The cut was very clean and the pre-light draw was just right, yielding a nice mild tobacco flavor.
The first couple of draws produced plenty of smoke and the familiar maduro flavor, though not quite as sweet as some others I’ve had. I found the first and second third of this cigar to be rather mild and one-dimensional. Nothing really bad to say about it, just not very complex, pretty much the same flavor throughout. The ash was rather dark, resembling the ash of the Cuban cigars I’ve had the pleasure to smoke. The ash dropped as a little pellet as the burn got into the second third and the body began to build ever so slightly. The burn wasn’t very straight through the first two thirds and required a couple of touch-ups.
The last third is where this cigar really began to come alive, I really wish the entire thing could have been just like this. The body picked up while retaining the smooth, light finish, picking up some leathery tones and the slightest bit of spice. I am usually tiring of a cigar into the last third but this one just got better and better. I smoked it down to about a half of an inch, something pretty rare for me personally.
I smoked the other one of these I picked up the next night with much the same results. While being rather one dimensional through the first two thirds it really came into its own in the last third and I smoked it down to about 1/2 inch. The aroma on this cigar was unique and rather pleasant, probably one of the better smelling cigars I’ve smoked.
Two in a row Brian. Nice review. I’ve had a few of these and always thought they were good stogies just always had a tough draw on them. Any draw problems?
No draw problems on the two I smoked. Plenty of smoke, just not all that interesting until the last third. I enjoyed the smoke it’s just not going to jump straight to my ‘box buy’ list.
Guys…what do these run price wise?
The places near me that carry them have the #9s for about $6 a piece. By the box it looks like you can get them for a little over $4 each.
Hey Brian- nice review- it’s TechMetalMan from over at CS!
I have a Robusto in my humi- can’t wait to try it!
Hey Trent – thanks for reading, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy those Robustos. I think these would make a good morning smoke with some coffee.
I agree with the review, I need to find my hemostat ! I liked this cigar, the best in the Avo lineup. Very smooth to the nub.
Hey, I missed seeing the review before. Good review Brian. I like Avo cigars but they are a bit pricey but I enjoy the heck out of them when I smoke them. They are very consistent and well constructed but tend to be on the mild side. The Avo Maduro is my favorite Avo cigar and has a nice mild sweetness to it that I like but certainly not a strong Maduro. But always well constructed.
Dave
I agree Dave, I liken the AVO Maduro to the Ashton Aged Maduro. They’re both smooth and mild maduros. I think either would be a great entry to a maduro cigar for any smoker.
Greeting everyone,
I smoke an aged avo maduro (toro), this cigar was plumed all over. Really smooth, sweet flavor, with a kick to boot. I smoked it all the way to the end until I burn my finger tips. I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’ve been craving this particular cigar, so I went to a local cigar shop here in Hawaii and inquired about how to plume/blume an avo maduro. I was told it wasn’t common for a cigar to plume. He told me from his personal experience (over 20 years of aging cigars) that less than 5% actually plumes. I really hope that he’s wrong because I’ve been aging some for about 7 months now.
Bottomline: I want to get my avo’s to plume. If anyone out there got any information/advice about pluming cigars, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks
Steve
Steve,
Unfortunately there’s not a whole lot you can do to aid the formation of plume/bloom. The only thing you can give a cigar that will increase its chances of forming plume is lots of time.
Check this example of plume from vitolas.net (thanks Andrew) and compare it to this example of mold that is often mistaken for plume for a little further education.
Thanks for the reply Brian,
I was just hoping someone out there already knew the time period it took to age certain cigars. I guess only time will tell? I hope at least some of my cigars get to bloom/plume properly. Well, until that time, I guess we both have to wait. You have to try that avo maduro I smoked. This cigar was out of this world.