He may be 84 this year, but Avo Uvezian is still full of surprises. First it was the uncharacteristically portly and potent LE 10 that hit the shops earlier this year. And then, a few months later at IPCPR, it’s the Heritage. In addition to being fuller-bodied than his regular lines, it also carries the smallest price tag of any AVO cigar brought to the market in some time. Also surprising was how it quickly became one of the most talked about cigars at the trade show. AVO is a well established brand with a loyal following, it’s not the little cutting edge boutique that ordinarily generates this kind of buzz.
The first shipments of the new AVO Heritage went out this week, so if your local shop doesn’t have them yet, they should very soon. And if they didn’t order them, you may be in for a roadtrip, because these smokes are a brick and mortar exclusive. When you do find them, you’ll have four choices: Churchill (6 3/4 x 48), Toro (6 x 50), Robusto (4 7/8 x 40) and Short Robusto (4 x 56). Now let’s see what all the buzz is about.
Cigar Stats:
Size: 6 x 50
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sungrown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Smoking Time: 1 1/2 hours
Beverage: Water
Source: Purchased by reviewer
Price: MSRP $8.50
The Pre-Smoke
The Heritage is a little more rustic than your average AVO. Its oily reddish brown wrapper is both veiny and has a good number of marks and darker-hued streaks. At the same time, the cigars were nearly defect-free. The only problem I found in my review set was a hole in the cap of one cigar. And if you’re going to have an issue, what better place to have it then the part of the cigar that gets clipped off? All told, they’re some pretty good looking smokes.
The cigars had the familiar Davidoff feel, firm but with little more give than average. The wrapper had an interesting floral compost aroma and the cold draw was musty and sweet.
The Burn
The AVO Heritage burned like a champ. It was even, produced sturdy light ashes and drew perfectly. The only thing out of the ordinary to note is that one cigar burned a little faster than normal for its size.
The Flavor
The AVO Heritage began with combination of creamy nougat, must and earthy cocoa that carried through about the first inch. At that point a spicy grassy element and a mouth-drying combination of savory nuts and cedar flavors began to emerge.
The grassy flavor that debuted in the first third was gone again in the second, but the spiciness that appeared with it remained. The profile continued to be slightly sweet, a tad musty, creamy and cocoa-y. A savory mouth-drying nutty wood flavor began to appear a little later in this third.
The final third was much the same as the latter half of its predecessor, only a little fuller and with more spice.
The Price
It’s not budget smoke, but as a Davidoff product, no AVO cigar ever will be. That being said, it is the least expensive AVO you’re going to find, falling nicely in sweet spot of premium cigar pricing. And the way it performs, it’s worth the price of admission.
The Verdict
The Heritage is a cigar I could smoke back to back (and I have), which is a bit of a rarity for me. It’s just that good of a stick. That could be the result of the incredibly long lasting finish this cigar has. By the time it fades, you’re ready for another. But it’s not one I’m going to light up without a drink handy. The mouth-drying effect of the cigar will have you ordering rounds faster than the salty snacks devious bartenders give your local watering hole. Even so, it’s a box-worthy.
By the time I finished this review, I probably smoked around half a dozen AVO Heritages. Most of them were Toros, but I did try a couple Churchills and Short Robustos as well. It bears mention that not all Heritages are created equal. I found the Churchill to begin more aggressively and to be generally more spicy than the Toro. And the Short Robusto was mellower, and by far the most Davidoff-ish of the bunch. (I haven’t had the Robusto as of yet.) So while I definitely recommend the Toro, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not trying each vitola to see which one works best for you.
But if you’d like another take on the AVO Heritage before you pull the trigger, check out Walt and Mike had to say.
Liked It: Yes, Box-Worthy
Buy It Again: Definitely
Recommend It: Yes
Tower of Burn
Here for your viewing pleasure is my trademark Tower of Burn.
Nice Review Brian! I’m a big fan of the Avo line but haven’t been able to smoke as many I’ve wanted, but at this price point I can see that changing. Thanks for the review
Nice review Brian. This cigar definitely lived up to the hype in my opinion. Following recent limited releases like the Companero, and LE10, the Avo Heritage is even more unique and at a more reasonable price.
The flavors are more like a Davidoff than most Avos (something tells me Hendrik Kelner had much more say in this blend) yet there is a spiciness that reminds me ever so slightly of the Companero.
I was just about to review this smoke on my blog, but it looks like you captured my sentiments exactly. I’m going to review the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Toro instead: a cigar that I have had an on again, off again relationship with.
I have smoked 3 of these now. I keep getting a grassy taste out of them I just can’t seem to ignore. I bought a box and am starting to regret it. I have had it now for a week, I am hoping a little time in the humidor will help them. Maybe they are still to ripe. But either way it’s distinct and it leaves the worst after taste on my palate.
I experienced some of the grassy taste you refer to with both the Avo 80th and the Domaines. Aging turned both of those cigars into some of the best I have ever smoked. It took more than a year for the 80ths to develop. I still have a few in my humidor I save for special occasions. They are steller!
If these behave anything like the other Avo’s I have smoke, you will be rewarded for your patience.
Agreed, Avos have a track record of aging beautifully.
The thing to keep in mind about the Heritage is that not all vitolas are created equally in this line. There are significant differences between them, I’d advise trying each size to see which one works best for you. (Many people love the short robusto, others, the spicier churchill.)
Had one this morning and wasn’t that impressed. Was a pain to keep lit and experienced the grassy taste mentioned above.
If you haven’t already, try the short robusto. That size seems to be a little more mellow than the rest in terms of spice and grassiness, and has been a pretty popular vitola.
“It bears mention that not all Heritages are created equal.”
My gosh, this needs to put in bold for anyone who stumbles across a curious of box of short coronas in their local shops.
I tried the short robusto and then the short corona. They are worlds apart. The short corona was a major disappointment. Apparently they stopped making this size, which is good. The short robusto was godly. I loved the wave after wave of flavors. YES.
I noticed you do not list the Avo Heritage Special Toro (6″
x 60 ring). Being a larger full bodied cigar lover (50 ring +), I
have frequently found myself limited to the Ultra Premium’s like
Fuente Fuente Opus X, Ashton VSG, Avo Signature, Avo Anniversary
LE, and very few others that have been worth my smoking pleasure. I
ran across the Avo Heritage Special Toro after winning a box from
my favorite Shop here in Dallas/Fort Worth. I was so impressed I
bought the remaining box and 1/2 they had which I have been smoking
A LOT of! I even went to there 3 other shops in the area to get
there remaining stock. Through close to 4 boxes I have found these
cigars to be a true pleasure! Strong, great flavor, and a minimum
of an hour and a half smoke! I guess these “Special Toro’s” are a
hidden secret… I even started calling my regular shop about when
they could get more in stock for me but there Avo Distributor has
them “back ordered”. After talking to my local shop they promised
I’d be there first call when they got in. In the mean time they put
me onto the La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero DL~700’s (6 1/2″ x 60
ring) which were a little more expensive (at there shop at least)
and I have been enjoying them. They are also a Full Bodied Large
smoke but with a much different flavor profile. They are excellent
but for the price, and the flavor, I prefer the Avo Heritage
Special Toro. Well today I got the call that they rounded up a box
of my beloved Special Toro’s (funny how they got me into the LFD
DL~700’s with me thinking it would be awhile until they could get
the Avo’s in stock so I spent me 2 weeks ‘cigar fund’ then a week
later they get a box for me, gotta scrounge up the $$$, probably
gonna tick the wifey off, but they are a good shop to make it a
priority to take care of me…). Anyone else tried the “Special
Toro”? Happy smoking.
Great cigar.. Good review..when you smoke a cigar down that far do you use a roach clip ?
I have used a toothpick before (rarely), but generally speaking if it get’s to the point where I can’t smoke without something like toothpick, I put it down. In this case I don’t remember needing any tools.