Avo Nicaragua: Detailed Cigar Review

Avo Syncro Nicaragua Look & Feel

• Wrapper Hue: Espresso Crema
• Rolling Consistency: Mostly Even
• Spring: Mild Spring
• Aromas: Nutmeg, Dark Chocolate, Cloves

With a deep and slightly reddish wrapper, the Nicaragua consists of a hue that evokes the frothy crema of an artisanal espresso. Its sleek service glistens with a rich and oily sheen.

As for the construction, the rolling consistency is actually more even than the Avo Syncro Ritmo that was previously reviewed. The spring is mild with an overall firm body.

There are just a few veins and the wrapper appears tightly bound over the binder. However, this comes across as quite attractive and offers an artisanal appearance with the craft-style band in a matte finish.

Furthermore, the box-press is somewhat unusual with one particularly hard, angular corner while the others are slightly rounded. Although this doesn’t affect the smoking experience, it’s an interesting observation to note.

Finally, the aromas are rich with a overarching barnyard accord. In terms of notes, the bouquet is particularly spicy with hints of nutmeg and clove over the dark chocolate base.

Avo Uvezian Syncro Nicaragua Review

As with all our reviews, we smoke a number of cigars to provide a broad perspective of the experience as well as to account for anomalies. Paul Anthony and I enjoyed about half a box of the Nicaragua while on a trip in London so we’re confident that we picked out any discrepancies!

Pre-Lighting Experience

• Draw: Mildly Loose
• Aromas: Brandy Butter, Walnut, Cedar

After a quick snip, I took the time to savour the Nicaragua’s dry draw. Although a touch loose, it was considerably tighter than the Ritmo. As for aromas, there was an overt note of heady and warming brandy butter.

Meanwhile, a touch of walnut and cedar interacted to create a tantalisingly woodsy accord.

1st Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Leather, Earth, Peanut

The Syncro Nicaragua lights very easily with a rich and even cherry. Throughout the first third, the flavours fluctuate with various aromas and notes. From hints of mineral to whiffs of metallic flavour, it’s a complex and nuanced experience.

Once the first third begins to stabilise, the first and most overt note is dry and salty earth scotched by the baking sun. This is soon followed by worn leather with a hint of caramel roasted peanut.

2nd Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Igneous Mineral, Fresh Coffee Bean, Copper

As mentioned in the previous third, there were hints of mineral and metal. When drawing towards the second third, these begin to become much more overt. Once fully transitioned into the second third, these unique flavours dominate the smoking experience leaving a long finish in the back of the tongue.

Rich notes of igneous rock evoked the volcanic soil of the Ometepe region, which accords well with a vivid note of copper metal. Meanwhile, a soft and refreshing aroma of fresh coffee beans gently licks the palate from below.

Final Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Kenyan Coffee, Earth, Vanilla

Drawing to the final third, the Nicaragua develops a much more substantial flavour with distinctive savoury notes. In one instance, I was convinced to have tasted a note reminiscent of roast chicken gravy. However, this proved to be something of an anomaly.

Nevertheless, the final third does have a more robust flavour. The dominant note is an espresso – specifically a vinous Kenyan Arabica with its fruity and tannin character.

Meanwhile, notes of earth have returned but are more akin to something moist and freshly ploughed rather than the dry soil from the first third. On the retrohale, a peppery whiff tingles the nose followed by a long vanilla note.

Overall Burn

• Ash Backbone: Mild
• Burn Angle: Slightly Wavy
• Temperature: Cool
• Draw: Mild Resistance
• Final Smoking Time: 95 Minutes

Unlike the Ritmo, there were no potential issues with the construction. However, the Nicaragua also features a similarly delicate wrapper that easily tears if you’re clumsy when removing the band.

Additionally, the ash backbone was quite mild but seemed to hold a decent stack for a little longer. Conversely, the burn angle was much more consistent and steady with each cigar.

As for the burn temperature, the smoke was exceedingly cool even when pushed to the limit. Meanwhile, the draw was somewhat tighter after the pre-light and hit the sweet spot quite nicely.

Furthermore, the Syncro Nicaragua rewards slow and careful smoking. The result is a pristine snow-white ash with a strong backbone and an alluring blue smoke.

An average smoking time came to around 95 minutes if carefully and responsibly enjoyed. However, this would drop down to 70 minutes or less if smoked too hard.

Ideal Pairings With An Avo Syncro Nicaragua

Offering a little more substance than the Avo Syncro Ritmo, the Nicaragua is a versatile smoke that can be successfully paired with a number of beverages.

While a richly roasted espresso would be my first choice, I found that a refreshing Scotch accorded well with the exhilarating mineral and metallic notes. As such, the young and zesty Caol Ila Hepburn’s Choice proved to be an excellent.

Nevertheless, coffee presented itself as the most harmonious option and the Mokador Castellari blend by Straordinario Gran Miscela was an enjoyable marriage.

Overall Experience

The Syncro Nicaragua’s limited edition box comes with a similar design to the Ritmo. In this instance, the lacquered box is adorned by splashes of various hues of red. While the Ritmo’s design is refreshing and zesty, the red colours evoke the Nicaragua’s volcanic soil.

I’m quite fond of the limited addition box supplied with Avo’s 30th Anniversary Ritmo cigars. Made with a similar construction to Camacho Cigars, it consists of a lacquered case with a thin paper cover inside.

Only two bands are present on the Nicaragua, which consist of one on the foot for the 30th Anniversary as well as the main band. Both can be challenging to remove due to the matte paper finish. However, they’re very alluring with a stylish retro feel.

Finally, the 30th Anniversary Nicaragua is slightly cheaper than the Ritmo but comes to more-or-less the same price range. A box of 20 cigars retails for $218, which comes to just under $12 a stick.

Nevertheless, the regular Toro can often be found for less than $9 and since it’s essentially the same blend, this is a much more attractive prospect.

When Should You Smoke A Nicaragua?

Like the Ritmo, the Nicaragua is a wonderfully ornate cigar with its eye-catching ornamentation. Consequently, it’s a great choice for sampling at an event or formal social gathering.

Indeed, this is something that I’d particularly appreciate when with a group of friends as the complex bouquet of flavours will prompt debate and discussion.

Nevertheless, I’d still be partial for one during an early afternoon break with a hot double espresso.

Closing Thoughts

Offering reliable construction and a harmonious yet complex marriage of flavours, the Syncro Nicaragua is a wonderfully enjoyable cigar.

With aromas that evolve throughout the experience, there are new and unique flavours that can be discovered with each smoke. For instance, the second third is a particularly immersive experience of noble mineral and metallic notes that evoke its various native landscapes.

Furthermore, the Nicaragua is a decidedly middle-bodied cigar with a balanced flavour. As such, it’s one that can be universally enjoyed by people who typically appreciate either mild or full-bodied cigars.

Further Reading

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