Avo Heritage Dominican Cigar Review

Avo Heritage Look & Feel

• Wrapper Hue: Hickory
• Rolling Consistency: Mostly Even
• Spring: Firm
• Aromas: Labdanum, Agarwood, Cinnamon

The particular vitola that I have for the review is a large 6 x 60 special Toro. However, it’s available in other vitolas such as a Robusto, which may be more approachable if this is a new cigar that you’d just like to try.

It has a somewhat rustic appearance. Overall, the body is consistently rolled with just a few soft spots, but nothing too disconcerting.

There are a few visible veins as well, which is why I would refer to the cigar as rustic in appearance. Yet, there’s a nice firm spring overall with a rich oily sheen that is particularly attractive to the eye.

In terms of aromas, what I found quite interesting about this cigar is that it is quite different from a typical Avo cigar. Indeed, it reveals a very musky aroma on the nose, which consists primarily of labdanum, resinous agarwood, and cinnamon, which offers a hint of spiciness.

Avo Heritage Review

Firstly, the cigars have been stored using a Boveda acrylic humidor for the last few weeks to ensure they we’re properly acclimated and prepared for review. They were stored using 69% Boveda packs, and they were monitored regularly with a Boveda Butler.

We do this with all our cigars to ensure consistent reviews based on standardised storage.

Pre-Lighting Experience

• Draw: Some Resistance
• Aromas: Ambergris, Cocoa, Cinnamon

Cutting the cigar unveils an ideal draw, which offers just the right level of resistance, as well as rich flavours. It was still musky but instead delivered ambergris rather than labdanum. There was also the presence of unsweetened cocoa as well as the cinnamon experienced earlier.

1st Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Molasses, Liquorice Root, Charred Oak

In the first third, which was a very gourmet experience overall, I first detected molasses. It created a touch of sweetness that was still relatively savoury, as well as some charred oak. The charred oak was particularly distinctive in the sense that it had this particular toasted essence to it, yet it was clearly woody.

And the third note I experienced in the first third was liquorice root. I the latter found particularly appealing thanks to its light spice, which was quite thick and unctuous in taste.

2nd Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Cocoa, Brazil Nut, Nutmeg

In the second third, the cocoa that I detected in the pre-light returned. Again, it was unsweetened. It was accompanied by a hint of nuttiness, which I would specifically liken to Brazil nuts.

Finally, there was another spicy note, but this time it was nutmeg rather than the cinnamon experienced multiple times earlier.

Final Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Earth, Agarwood, Coffee Beans

The final third remained consistent and didn’t really increase in strength as much as I would have expected. It featured aromas of moist, nutrient-rich earth as well as agarwood, which I mentioned in the initial aromas on the foot.

Finally, coffee beans delivered a lingering finish that nicely accorded without the agarwood’s resinous incense.

Overall, the Heritage has a velvety mouthfeel and a very balanced palate.

Throughout the whole cigar, the palate remained focused towards the centre, so there was a nice spread of the stronger piloto and ligero tobaccos that reached the back of the tongue. However, it remained balanced with stimulation on the lateral sections, too.

There was certainly an evolution in its life-cycle. However, I feel like the focus leaned towards consistency rather than a variation in flavour. Nevertheless, it provides you with a rich and harmonious selection of notes all the way through.

Overall Burn

• Ash Backbone: Somewhat Flaky
• Burn Angle: Somewhat Wavy
• Temperature: Cool
• Draw: Some Resistance
• Final Smoking Time: 90 Minutes

With regard to the burn, anyone who’s familiar with Avo cigars knows that they have a certain charm about them. The Heritage is no exception and the burn angle was quite wavy.

In terms of ash backbone, I did get about an inch before it plopped off, which to be honest is better performance than most Avo cigars. However, the 60 ring gauge likely helped in providing additional support.

Otherwise, the draw was perfectly consistent throughout the whole experience with a nice degree of resistance, and it provided a cool smoke.

Ideal Pairings With An Avo Heritage Cigar

As the Heritage is quite full-bodied compared to typical Avo cigars, consider savoury and rounded pairings. For instance, pretzels would be a good salty option that also pairs well with a variety of spirits. Meanwhile, dark chocolate would be an excellent choice too, especially if you opt for cognac as well.

As mentioned above, cognac would be our first choice with this cigar. A rounded, musky Fine Champagne would be ideal. Otherwise, you could consider a Highlands single malt. Similarly, dark aged rum with a bold profile and full body would be absolutely fine, too.

Finally, coffee drinkers ought to consider espresso or a dark-roast black coffee with this particular cigar.

Overall Experience

The Heritage features a classic Avo band, which is a little darker than the usual ones. It features gold lettering whereas, for example, the Avo Improvisation 2020 has a copper metal colour instead.

The only issue that we have with these bands is that it can be a little bit difficult to remove. Therefore, if you collect bands as I do, it can be a bit of a struggle to salvage them. Meanwhile, the box is an elegant display piece with a lacquer exterior.

Unlike many lacquered boxes, it appears to be made of solid – or at least veneered – wood. Usually, lacquer boxes are just made from MDF that have been coated with so much paint that you can’t tell. It delivers a warm cedar note, which would benefit the ageing process if you held onto the cigars.

The value of these cigars is excellent. You can get samplers for about $40, which includes four cigars and comes to about $10 each.

Given that Avo can be described as a premium brand that is just a step below Davidoff in pricing, a sub-$10 stick is excellent value, to say the least!

Finally, the Heritage is also a very versatile cigar for different occasions. Its pricing means that it can be an affordable option for special events. Meanwhile, you can easily justify enjoying it for a quiet moment at home or with a few friends.

Closing Thoughts

The Avo Heritage is quite full-bodied by Avo Cigar’s standards. However, it’s an intriguing medium-bodied experience overall. If you’re used to mild Avo Cigars, the creative use of an original Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper adds an intriguing element to an otherwise Dominican blend.

Further Reading

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